To Diffuse or Not to...

Gallery: FloraPosted October 22, 20151,835 views10 comments

Hi all.

I shot these shots the other day. There was a pretty good cloud cover for some of the shots, so I shot them without using my diffuser. I wanted to get your thoughts on whether the non-diffused shot (the one in the comments) works at all.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

Nathan

Nikon D7000, Sigma 180 macro, Tripod, ISO 400, f16ish

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on October 22, 2015 at 1:31 AM

This one is not diffused. Thanks in advance.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 22, 2015 at 11:57 AM

It seems to me that the one you used a diffuser on that the colors are a bit softer. Not diffused, but the color is softer and just a bit more pleasing. The light on the non-diffused one seems just a bit harsher. Maybe it is just me but I like the diffused on better.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Mark James Ford on October 22, 2015 at 4:35 PM

Hi Nathan, for my taste its a no-brainer, the diffuser is definitely better ... and together with the excellent composition produces a very nice, artisitic interpretation.
Cheers, mark

Registered on January 16, 2015, 60 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on October 23, 2015 at 8:05 AM

I'll 3d the diffused version, Nathan. Very nice dahlia.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 23, 2015 at 10:09 AM

The fourth for me, if you need one. Lovely soft and diffused light in an excellent composition. devil

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 23, 2015 at 6:20 PM

The diffuse one, as expected, is softer, but I like the richness and tonality range of the undiffused one as well.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on October 24, 2015 at 4:40 PM

I thought this was your image as soon as I saw it Nathan. Nice composition but I prefer the diffused image, but only just. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on October 26, 2015 at 6:07 PM

The diffuser offer sa much gentler transition in the light, Nathan, and I very much prefer thst with this particular subject. As ever, a lovely composition - the portrait format proving very dynamic.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on October 27, 2015 at 5:05 AM

Nathan, I am 2nd as I like better the not diffused version where the great amount of the petals are more distinct, may be lowering a bit the darkest shades. Both are excellent photos for me.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on November 1, 2015 at 9:22 PM

Hi Nathan

love the diffused version. cool

. congrats on the well deserved WP devil

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments