On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 12:52 PM, Chuck Norcutt <
chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> He was using the flash to soften the hard shadows cast by the bright
> sun. The large reflector was to soften the hard light from the flash.
> A small diameter light source or, even a large one if it's far enough
> away (like the sun) tends to be what's called a "point light source".
> Point light sources cast harsh shadows. Any way you can make the light
> source of larger diameter or larger angular diameter (coming closer
> works) will make a softer light. The bigger the reflector or diffuser
> and the closer it is (larger angular diameter) the softer the light.
>
> But diffusers that are large can be cumbersome and coming closer
> exacerbates the inverse-square law problem. One solution to minimize
> the inverse square law problem is to get farther back. That, of course,
> worsens the flash angular diameter problem. But that can be helped by
> using a very large diffuser... called the ceiling. Using the ceiling as
> a reflector/diffuser also helps the inverse-square law problem by
> extending the distance the light has to travel. But using the ceiling
> causes shadows to be cast under the eyes, nose and chin so you also need
> to throw some light forward to act as fill light... either by reflecting
> part of the main beam forward rather than up or by using a second light
> for fill.
>
> Dr. Flash
>
>
>
Lumiquest has one bounce hood with cutouts that's designed to bounce 20% of
the light straight forward and 80% straight up. So, it throws some
diffused fill light to theoretically soften some of those shadows.
--
Paul Braun
Certified Music Junkie
"Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." -- Berthold Auerbach
--
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