Spread the Light

• There isn't a lot of mystery to how flash diffusers work. They simply diffuse or spread the available light over a larger plane to decrease the harsh shadows that are caused by direct lighting. This can be done by redirecting the light to a larger plane, using flash umbrellas that will bounce light around a curved, light surface or attaching professional or homemade diffusers to your flash.
  
  

Supplemental Versus Integral

• Handheld flash devices may come equipped with diffusing shields that can help soften the light. Because they tend to be either expensive or relatively ineffectual, some photographers prefer to create their own using opaque white plastic milk cartons, pill bottles or even cardboard cigarette packages to cover their in-camera flash. This provides a larger surface for the light particles to bounce around on, and because the area of surface increases, the lighting becomes diffused and the shadows are softer.
  
  

Think Large

• Professional photographers can spend hundreds of dollars for giant umbrella-style diffusers that accomplish a similar effect to what can be achieved with just a little ingenuity and tape. By manipulating a flash bounce so that it takes advantage of a nearby wall or light-colored reflector, you can diffuse the flash you have to create soft shadows and better balance.