Thread: Flash Question
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Old 07-03-2008   #41 (permalink)
dch
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Default Re: Flash Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooks View Post
Hard light, from small light sources such as the sun or an on-camera flash, is unable to "wrap around" the subject because the light rays are mostly parallel and coming from one direction.
No, that's because light does not bend.

You can take that same direct flash that makes harsh shadows on a person and then photograph a lady bug up close for example, and you will have "soft light" -- same exact light source. Why? Because the light source is LARGER than the subject and is able to wrap around it.

Sticking a diffuser on the end of your flash does NOT make softer light -- it just scatters the light -- which if INDOORS will make a larger light source because it is bouncing off all the walls and ceiling. Outdoors, it's just scattering the light out into the atmosphere, and the same amount of light (after you crank up the power on the flash to make up for all the wasted light going everywhere) will fall on your subject and look the exact same.

I hope I am explaining this well enough for you to begin to understand.

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