Quote Originally Posted by Ralph


Hi guys! I got myself a cheap flash diffuser (probably a Sto Fen clone) for my 580 EX II. It comes in three colors, white, blue and yellow. This seems to be a newbie question, but how do I use them? Or rather, how do I use them properly? I've read some that it should be positioned to a max of 45 degrees towards the ceiling. What are the strengths and weaknesses of using this diffuser aside from a few light loss?





Thanks!
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First of all, I'd like to note that a Sto Fen (or comparable knock-off) will not give you really soft gradient from light to shadow. It will help a little bit; and yes, it'll steal some power from your flash. If you really want flattering lighting, you'd be better off making the light source much larger by using an umbrella or softbox.


However, as far as your question goes...put the flash anywhere that produces the results you're looking for. I realize that's a bit of a cop out, but it's true. Yes, having the light at a 45 degree angle is a common setup. However, it's certainly not the only setup.


In this shot, the sun was on the other side of the train. We were completely in shadow. I positioned the flash (diffused by a small umbrella) behind the subect leaving most of the camera-side part of his face exposed solely by ambient. The shot works well because it has more of a masculine feel to it (it's kind of an extreme example of short lighting).










In this shot, the subject is looking right at the flash which is diffused by a small softbox on the other side of the pool:









Go out and shoot. Move the light around and see how the results change. Shoot the light through things (like umbrellas or bedsheets) and see how the shadows get softer. By experimentation, you'll find lighting styles that work best for you.