gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

I have had better experience with a larger homemade diffuser, and others have expressed the same success. My question concerns distance of the diffuser/light source from the subject. I have, as a rule, placed the diffuser as close to the end of the lens as I can, thereby reducing the amount of flash necessary for adequate light.

BUT - is the quality of light better if it is a few inches further away rather than 'up close and personal'? The further away, the more power is needed, and the shorter the battery life. I have not done a personal study, but my gut feeling is that further is better.

Does anyone else have personal knowledge they wish to share?

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I have found that a little back does give better results I think that is why I prefer shooting 1:1 without tubes it puts the flash a little further from the subject. I have been trying all different kinds of angles and distances and have gotten where I keep it where the soft box is sorta at an angle and partially off to the side almost to the end of the lens with tubes and without.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I concur with Tim (might be for the first time <Bazinga!> ).

My most recent illumination positioning.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

The less power you use on your flash the less motion blur you will have on your photo, if the light is well diffused and angled, then I don't see why you would want it moved further back. I guess that you just have to play with it and see what works best. I keep mine out as far to the end of my lens as I can without shooting light back into the lens.