The best flash diffuser for wedding photography is the diffuser you already have! Typically a diffuser (or stofen) comes with any flash you purchase.
As a wedding photographer, you know that the best photos are taken in natural light. However, there may be some instances when it is best to use flash photography for certain subjects. If this is the case then you will want to find the best flash diffuser for your wedding photography! In this blog post we will discuss what kind of diffusers are best and how they work best with various lighting situations.
Although it doesn’t look like much it IS specifically designed to scatter the light in an efficient manner.
One thing to keep in mind is that a diffuser isn’t going to change the quality of the light. If you want to evenly distribute the light from your flash and fill in very dark shadows a diffuser could be the right tool but you’ll need a softbox or some other type of flash modifier to change the light to be softer or more flattering.
Remember, a large light source close to the subject is what results in nice soft shadows. One trick I like to use is to point my flash straight up at the ceiling(as long as the ceiling is white). Turn your flash up about double the power you were using before and WHAMO! Instant soft shadows. This technique basically turns the ceiling into one large softbox.
Although this faux softbox isn’t right next to your subject it’s a good compromise since you won’t need to constantly move a modifier around as you take candid shots. This technique makes it much easier to “run and gun” and still get nice-looking photos.
The thing to avoid is the direct harsh flash which only moms and grandmas seem to have not figured out (red-eye photos anyone??)
If you’re not happy with the light quality you’re getting by pointing your flash toward the ceiling you could use the built-in card blocker and turn your flash backward (kinda like reversing a baseball cap) Normally you’d bounce the light off the card toward the subject, but rotating your flash 180 degrees so that the bounce card is blocking the light could also be an option.
This is best suited for more “formal” shots with the subject sitting still but can also work in some situations where you need to shoot candidly.
One last thing: when using a flash diffuser keep this one tip in mind… You’ll get the best results if you start by setting your camera’s exposure settings manually and then use the flash to fill in the dark areas. This will result in the best-looking photos and if you want to learn how this is done, check out my best online photography training course where I go into more detail on manual exposure settings when shooting with a flash!
