TIP: Yes, the F60 flash comes with a big pop-on diffuser. It’s nice, but I’ve found the piece of paper to be better – it provides a larger surface area (softer light) and doesn’t waste the light by sending it backwards behind the photographer. |
Figure 13-4: Examples of Straight on-camera flash (left - Yuk!) vs. ceiling bounce (center) which still suffers from darkish shadows under the eyes and chin. The right picture uses an easy-to-make light modifier which takes some of the light destined for the ceiling and converts it into a soft, pleasing subject light. What a difference! |
Figure 13-5: The same flash used three different ways drives the point home: light modifiers really make a difference!! |
Bouncing off the ceiling and a piece of paper is nice if you’re a photojournalist out in the field, but if you want even higher quality of diffused light on your subject, professionals for decades have turned to either umbrellas or softboxes. Both are designed to soften the light and give you a high degree of control of direction for the most pleasing shadows and greatest subject depth (to give a 2-D image a 3-D look). Figure 13-5 shows an example.
Figure 13-6: A simple umbrella and wireless flash configuration. About USD $20 plus a tripod. This represents the single best investment you can make to improve your quality of light from your flash. |
Figure 13-7: One umbrella and a black sheet for a background is all you need for professional-looking portraits. |
