What is it about direct flash that makes it so unflattering?
Unfortunately, the very characteristics that make flash unflattering are the same characteristics that make it useful … small, powerful, portable. Any small, intense light source will create harsh shadows due to the discrepancy between the fully illuminated area and the adjacent deep shadow area. As the light source becomes larger, more and more of it reaches the deep shadow area, creating a more gradual transition between the fully illuminated area and the deep shadow area. This transition area “softens” the edges of the shadows, effectively softening the overall quality of the light illuminating the subject. With regard to portability being both an asset and a liability, it is the portability that creates unnatural light directionality. No where in nature is the observer of the scene also the light source. Moving the light source off-camera or bouncing the light source off another surface can help give a more natural look to the directionality of the light. The added benefit of bou
