[shuttertalk]

I'm a little familiar with reflectors, but has anyone had any experience in using diffusers? I saw one in the camera shop the other day, but wasn't sure what it's used for. Any ideas?

[Rufus]

Diffusers literally diffuse, and soften, light which passes through them.

[shuttertalk]

Thanks dude. Are those big round see through screens diffusers too? They sorta look like reflectors...

[Rufus]

Quite possibly. Without actually seeing them, it's hard to say.....

[shuttertalk]

Thanks Rufus!

[adam]

Diffuser, does it make the light-source seem bigger, so you don't get a harsh flash with harsh shadows?

My friend Peter used paper to bounce his flash. Did I use the right terminology here?
Does anyone have any other cheap alternatives?

[Rufus]

Yes, limited only by imagination, eg:

Bounce on
Ceilings, walls, reflectors, paper, anything white....

Diffuse through plastic wrap, handerchief, stockings, (OOO ERRR!), grease-proof paper, tissue paper, some hard plastics, frosted glass, all sorts of things! Diffuse through coloured materials for effect etc etc etc.......

HTH

[dewy]

Yes, limited only by imagination, eg:

Bounce on
Ceilings, walls, reflectors, paper, anything white....

Diffuse through plastic wrap, handerchief, stockings, (OOO ERRR!), grease-proof paper, tissue paper, some hard plastics, frosted glass, all sorts of things! Diffuse through coloured materials for effect etc etc etc.......

HTH

Is it the flash you difuse? Me wonders what fun he could have 'difusing' with some coloured celepahe =)

[peter]

Diffuser, does it make the light-source seem bigger, so you don't get a harsh flash with harsh shadows?

My friend Peter used paper to bounce his flash. Did I use the right terminology here?
Does anyone have any other cheap alternatives?

yeah .. a peaice of paper strapped to a directional flash pointing straight up gives nice diffusion .. softens the shadows nicely ...

but blinds your target even more since it looks liek a super big flash ...

i akso have a squirettype diffusion filter .. makes the photos loo k all nice n dreamy...
havent really road tested it much tho .. found it in a box of my dads old photo equipment stuuffs he bought off some guy years ago .. auhha