What are flash diffusers about?
Flash diffusers soften the impact of flash to provide more even lighting. They also reduce the intensity of the light source as they diffuse/spread the light. For close work like for macros, the reduced light output reaching the subject can avoid saturating the subject with too much light. Shadows resulting from flash with diffuser have softer edges and are not as dark as shadows from straight flash without diffuser. The diffuser achieves its effect by causing light from a flash to illuminate the subject from a larger area than the original flash source itself (in-camera or flashgun head). Note that a flash reflector is really just another kind of diffuser. One way of achieving diffusion without buying additional items is to use a flashgun as a bounce flash. The head of the flashgun is tilted up or rotated sideways so that the flash bounces off a low ceiling or a wall to spread the light and possibly create more natural looking lighting. This is particularly true when bouncing off the