In a previous post, I talked about how you can build a light diffuser out of a shower curtain and wire clothes hanger. You can use this diffuser to help cast a soft light on your subjects, which helps eliminate harsh shadows and really makes the colors of your subject pop. It’s especially helpful for photographing wildflowers.
Here’s an example of the difference this diffuser can make:
Photos by Steve Berardi
Without the diffuser, you get some harsh shadows and bright highlights. But, with the diffuser, you get a much more balanced and soft light on the flower, so every part is evenly lit (this helps preserve the varying tones of the flower).
What’s important to remember here though is that neither photo is necessarily “correct.” It all depends on the type of look you’re going for. Sometimes you may want those harsh shadows, and sometimes you may not. If you can’t decide which look you like better, then just take a few shots with and without the diffuser–then you can decide later when you see larger images on your computer 
California Poppy / Photo by Steve Berardi
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About the Author: Steve Berardi is a naturalist, photographer, computer scientist, and founder of PhotoNaturalist. You can usually find him hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains or the Mojave Desert, both located in the beautiful state of California.
Enjoyed this post and would like to start playing with ‘settings’. I’m interested to know what f-stop you may have used on these examples? Thanks Steve
Carole – I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Here’s the settings I used for each shot:
NO diffuser: 1/250 sec, f/6.3, 300mm (with a 25mm extension tube)
WITH diffuser: 1/320 sec, f/6.3, 300mm (with a 25mm extension tube)
thanks Steve for your response; it’s so helpful to actually see what settings achieve certain results
I actually can’t decide which flower picture I like better.
Thank you for the post, I get plenty of questions on what type of setting can bring out a close up photo and how to eliminate certain elements of the picture to make it stand out. You certainly answered this question. Plus; photographers always have a great tip on Photography.
It is very impressive, could you tell me the setting of diffuser position, was it attached to the flash on the camera or somewhere else?…. thanks.
Stevo, you are the best. You have helped me out on many situations. I have a question, on the “with” or the “without” diffuser example, could you show how you set up the shot. Even if you use a crude pencil drawing. With the sunlight diffused, what is your angle in relation to the sun since it is being tamed. I can see that you are eye level. It’s like watching a golfer setting up for a difficult shot. If I re-create your situation, then I can tweak my moves based on where to go back to in case I don’t achieve my shot. Thanks again you are such a nice guy to take time out for the rest of us. Jesus is Lord