Using a Photographic Diffuser for Softening Effects

Take years off your skin in 30 seconds with a photographic diffuser!

I've said that one of the first accessories I bought was a diffuser for my Nikon D80-and my wife loved me because of it. Below is an unfiltered photo of Tish, followed by a a filtered photo.

Quite a difference. There are two options you can use for a diffuser. You can try a homemade diffuser or a commercial diffuser. Then there are two different kinds of commercial diffusers you can choose from, one is a diffuser filter, the other is a diffuser that works on the flash. The obvious benefit to the diffuser filter is that it will work without the flash.

There are several kinds of diffusers that work with your flash or speedlight. I prefer a diffuser filter.

You can also try some home items to create a diffuser. Spray hairspray on a UV filter to get a diffused effect. Spread chapstick or vaseline on a UV filter for a diffused background. Try using a rubber band to tightly attack a neutral nylon stocking over your camera lens as a diffuser (I've tried this one myself-sometimes it is difficult to get the camera to focus with this technique).





There are kinds of diffusers out there and therefore it is difficult to describe how you want to use a photographic diffuser. My suggestion is to look at the different kinds of diffusers and then Google how to use a photographic diffuser, omni bounce diffuser or reflector and diffuser depending on what diffuser you would like to use. Remember if you are going to be hiking in woods you will want something more compact.

Update:
On Digital Photography School I read about an ingenious way to create a home made diffuser by taping a white paper bag over your flash. The author prefers airline barf bags and that is fine, but any all white paper bags should work.