Why use a diffuser...
A photographic flash is a small, high intensity source of light which produces generally harsh, unattractive shadows. The quality of this light has been a concern to photographers since the introduction of the flash. A flash diffuser will turn the harsh shadows of ordinary flash photography into portrait-like lighting.

Often, a direct flash can be too bright and can overexpose an image, especially in dark situations. Diffusers soften the light to give it more of a natural feel. There are expensive and cheap ways to do this. If the cieling is low enough you can bounce your flash of the ceiling. You can create your own diffuser, still bouncing the light upward and having a white cardboard attached to your flash unit. The other option is to by a diffuser such as an omnibouce (which I have) or a lightsphere (does someone want to buy my one of these? size P1 please).

That being said, if shooting at a weddinf, use flash with caution. You don’t want to be the annoying guy who blinds half the audience with his flashes all night.




For cams with pop-up flash as such:


http://www.lumiquest.com/softscreen.htm




From: http://flickr.com/photos/photophool/120593005

Before & After (with diffuser):


Homemade Diffuser on Canon S2 IS:

The S2 IS will focus to ZERO distance in super-macro mode but the cam body will block external light and the flash is not designed for use that close. I've devised a solution that works for me.



three plastic foam cereal bowls stapled together and slip fit on the lens barrel to catch and re-transmit the flash output all around the macro subject.

at the moment of firing..the light delivery is unavoidably a little uneven but it doesn't seem to matter much with my test subjects so far.

clock wise above....

S2 IS unadorned >>> three plastic foam cereal bowls stapled together with holes cut in the bottom to slip-fit on the lens barrel >>> the moment of firing >>> another example of the gizmo's delivery of shadowless lighting in supermacro mode.

You can see from the "firing" image that the light delivery is a little uneven but for the subjects I've tried so far, it doesn't seem to matter much. The reason for using three bowls is to even the light delivery. the flash output is softened, scattered and spread as it bounces through and around the bowls.

Easy to make, the price is right, and so far, pretty darned effective..it works for me. Your mileage may vary but it won't cost you much in time or material if you want to give it a try I would certainly be interested in seeing/hearing about your results with it.