Flash Diffusion Devices

Direct flash — what I refer to as "police photo". This is the look you see on movie stars in supermarket tabloids — a gritty look. You might want that look. Notice that the color of direct flash is often colder than flash that is put through a diffuser.

Adding a wide-angle "lens" in front of the flash illuminates the whole room — with the white walls bouncing light all around, it creates a MUCH softer light than the naked flash.

Mini soft box, often used in weddings where there IS no ceiling to bounce light off. The bigger the better with these devices, but things get clumsy with a 16-inch soft box perched on your camera.

The Stofen diffuser used to soften a direct flash is much less effective than bouncing it off a white ceiling and/or wall.

Ceiling bounce, for reference. It is useful to compare these other methods with a flash bounced off of a white ceiling. I like the quality of light, but a ceiling bounce without something to send some direct light does not put a "catchlight" in the eyes, which can be a problem.

The Fong Dome is a legendary device that many photogs feel has mystical powers to create good light in tough situations. In THIS comparison it doesn't look much different than the Stofen box, but this is just one situation.

The Stofen box, when aimed up does a good job of mixing some softened direct light with much bounce light. Compare to the larger, more expensive Fong Dome to the right.

The white frosted jug: as good as, and cheaper than all other on-flash diffusers. But are you going to walk around with one of these stuck on your flash?

Direct flash — what I refer to as "police photo". This is the look you see on movie stars in supermarket tabloids — a gritty look. You might want that look. Notice that the color of direct flash is often colder than flash that is put through a diffuser.

Adding a wide-angle "lens" in front of the flash illuminates the whole room — with the white walls bouncing light all around, it creates a MUCH softer light than the naked flash.

Mini soft box, often used in weddings where there IS no ceiling to bounce light off. The bigger the better with these devices, but things get clumsy with a 16-inch soft box perched on your camera.

The Stofen diffuser used to soften a direct flash is much less effective than bouncing it off a white ceiling and/or wall.

Ceiling bounce, for reference. It is useful to compare these other methods with a flash bounced off of a white ceiling. I like the quality of light, but a ceiling bounce without something to send some direct light does not put a "catchlight" in the eyes, which can be a problem.

The Fong Dome is a legendary device that many photogs feel has mystical powers to create good light in tough situations. In THIS comparison it doesn't look much different than the Stofen box, but this is just one situation.

The Stofen box, when aimed up does a good job of mixing some softened direct light with much bounce light. Compare to the larger, more expensive Fong Dome to the right.

The white frosted jug: as good as, and cheaper than all other on-flash diffusers. But are you going to walk around with one of these stuck on your flash?