A softbox attached to an auxiliary flash.
Creating soft, natural lighting makes people look better and objects look more natural. Diffused lighting works to reduce harsh shadows and soften the texture of skin. Simply light your subject with indirect light. Create a barrier between the subject and the light source, whether it is the sun, an on-camera flash or studio strobes. This layer will diffuse and soften the light, giving better photography results.
Softbox
Photographing people in a portrait studio often requires the use of a softbox. Placing this sheer fabric cover over the studio strobes filters, softens and diffuses the light that is illuminating the subject. The closer the softbox is to the subject, the softer the light will be, which helps to reduce shadows. Take a meter reading for the subject with the softbox in place, and adjust the manual exposure on the camera accordingly.
Attach a mini-softbox to auxiliary flashes used on single lens reflex (SLR) cameras for a similar effect in everyday photography. Use a manual exposure mode, as the softbox can confuse auto and program settings.
Tissue
Pictures taken with a small compact camera, or an SLR camera, can also benefit from diffused light. Take a square of tissue paper or facial tissue, and tape it over the flash on the camera. The light will be muted through this transparent cover. Take pictures as normal, and adjust the camera settings as needed for a good exposure. This may include setting the exposure compensation to overexpose the photo by one to two stops. Never use tissue on studio lighting, as it may be a fire hazard.
Reflector
Use the transparent reflector from a five-in-one reflector set to diffuse light. Hold the opaque panel over an outdoor subject to reduce shadows from the sun. Ask a helper to hold the reflector, or use a clip on a reflector stand, and position the panel high above the subject, out of the frame. Use large fold-out reflectors for a two people, or set up a white booth-style tent as a large diffuser for family portraits outside.
Since artificial light is not altered with the reflector technique, exposure will not need to be compensated. The camera's meter will account for the loss of light when the scene is framed in the camera.
Tags: light will, manual exposure, reduce shadows, studio strobes, subject with