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marymcgrathphotos.com - Mary B. McGrath

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Lumiquest soft screen


Has anyone used the Lumiquest Soft Screen with a Canon Digital Rebel XT? Is there some magic to getting it to work?

I tried it, and there are still shadows behind the subject when I placed them against a wall.

Maybe I'm too close, too far away, or I don't have it attached right, that, or it's not great for this camera.

I don't want to be bothered with a heavy flash unit when I travel, and I heard this was good.


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August 10, 2008

 

W.
 
Hi Mary,

the Lumiquest Soft Screen is a peanut 'diffuser' for use on a peanut flash gun. Simply put: you were sold snake-oil...

There is no shortcut to soft shadows: you need a LARGE diffuser, where 'large' depends on the distance to subject. But 3 feet diameter is minimum.

If you want good light you need a good, EXTERNAL, flash gun with enough power.
If you want soft light you ALSO need a LARGE diffuser.
With an external flash gun you don't always need a diffuser for soft light: indoors you can bounce off of the ceiling (if it is white and not too high).

Have fun!


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August 10, 2008

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Wouldn't that be peanut oil?

Even a large light source makes shadows. Whether you can see them in a picture depends on other things as well like direction, relative positions...


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August 10, 2008

 
marymcgrathphotos.com - Mary B. McGrath

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  Well, if it helps a bit, that's ok. I don't want to be dragging a bunch of equipment on a press trip. I guess it cuts down on the amount of light also.

Thanks!


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August 11, 2008

 
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