Diffusers
Adiffuserisaneutraltranslucentmaterialstretchedovera
framethroughwhich lightcanbesoftened,byscattering
thesourceinthesamewayasasoftboxusedinthestudio.
Whenusedonlocationdiffusersarealsoaperfecttoolfor
controllingstrongsunlight.Placingthediffuserabovethe
subjectwillinstantlysoften anddisperse thestrong light
fromthesun,yieldingasofterandmorepleasingportrait.
However diffusers arefairly large and the photographer
will need assistance to use one for this purpose.
Diffuserscanalsobeusedinsidewhenshootingaportrait,
forexamplewhenshootingwithavailablelightthrougha
windowifthelightistooharsh.Thediffusercanbeplace
in front of the window toscatterand soften the light.
Althoughthesetoolsareofgreatusetothephotographer,
youcanalsoutilizenaturalreflectorsanddiffusersinmany
situations.Awhiteorneutral-colouredwallorceilingcan
be used to bounce light towards a strategically placed
subject.Canopiesanddoorwayscansubsequentlybeused
to diffuse and feather any strong light.
When using these techniques, however, you must be
acutelyawareofyoursurroundings.Besurenottoplace
thesubjecttooclosetoanobjectthatwillthrowanystrong
colourcaststhatmayaffecttheskintonesofthesitterina
negative way.