I was wondering if you diffuse your flash gun for macro work or not.
I know that at such close ranges a small light source,such as a flashgun, becomes a large light source, but large enough not to cast harsh shadows, that I doubt.
Also, I remeber Heather Angel saying how its best to photograph flowers etc on overcast days as the light is more diffuse and the light looks more natural, plus at such close range, even tho the light is diffused by clouds there are still highlights, thus creating a natural looking image.
But I would imagine a flashgun burst wouldnt be so diffused as its used quite close to the camera.
Diffusing the flash, or not....
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- GreenLarry
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My flash work is mostly not diffused, but with the flash positioned at the front of the lens, very close to the subject. An example is the wasp and aphids that currently appears on the photomacrography.net front page.
--Rik
--Rik
- MikeBinOKlahoma
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I usually diffuse with my 180mm macro, though not if light is in short supply (say I'm shooting at f/32 in a poorly-illuminated area).
With the 50mm macro or the MP-E-65, I don't usually diffuse, though I probably need to look at doing it for ants and similar shiney bugs.
With the 50mm macro or the MP-E-65, I don't usually diffuse, though I probably need to look at doing it for ants and similar shiney bugs.
Mike Broderick
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"I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.....My mandate includes weird bugs."--Calvin
(reposts on this site of my images for critique or instruction are welcome)
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"I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.....My mandate includes weird bugs."--Calvin
(reposts on this site of my images for critique or instruction are welcome)
- twebster
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Frankly, Larry, I quit diffusing my flash since I started playing with the polarized electronic flash. Both Rik and Mike hit on the main point...get that flash close to your subject. If your flash starts getting farther from your subject then you do need to diffuse the flash. The farther the flash from the subject the more it acts as a point light source. When shooting macro just a few inches furthe back from the subject can create issues with shadows.
Best regards,
Best regards,
Tom Webster
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- GreenLarry
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twebster wrote:Frankly, Larry, I quit diffusing my flash since I started playing with the polarized electronic flash.
Not sure about polarized flash(I only have one flash unit) but
Now thats interesting! Not something I would have thought of!If your flash starts getting farther from your subject then you do need to diffuse the flash. The farther the flash from the subject the more it acts as a point light source. When shooting macro just a few inches furthe back from the subject can create issues with shadows.
Best regards,
Thanks for the info!