In a Softer Light
I got a lovely gift from my husband this weekend that I want to tell everyone about. The Puffer (I know weird name) works with any DSLR camera. You just slide it in to where you would an external flash and you’re ready to go!
That’s the puffer. It’s not very pretty so I decided to liven it up just a little. The picture is a gift I got from my sister for my birthday and I love it. It’s actually from a vintage Parisian fashion magazine.
I’ve been playing with The Puffer all afternoon and there is definitely a difference. Usually, when shooting indoors I use all available lights just trying to get my pictures to look halfway decent because I’m wary of using the flash as it tends to make everything so harsh. So here goes:
No Flash just lighting. As you can see the picture is fine but a little dark. Of course I could run it through Photoshop but there’s not always time and let’s face it sometimes I just have other things to do.
With Flash. Not bad but a little bit of the depth has gone and there is a clearly visible glare.
With the Puffer. As you can see it diffused the light, it’s especially noticeable on the top of the picture where there’s lots of white. You can actually make out the dirty spots. Best of all no glare!
I think it works even better when there are lots of shadows or on any shiny surface such as a face. A great stocking stuffer for the budding amateur photographer! Hubby just came by and told me that he spent lots of time hanging with the amazing folks at Lens & Shutter who told him to buy it, so a big thank you to them. This is my new favourite toy!
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jeniferbalatico December 10, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Lucky you! I also want DSLR for Christmas!
Hugs from missJHENZ http://jeniferbalatico.blogspot.com/
caroline1t December 10, 2012 at 11:05 pm
I have a D3100 and I have to say that I love it! I know everyone gets really stressed about what kind to get but the best advice I ever got was that you never walk in to a gallery and say, “wow that canon or nikon, takes great pics!”
stylentonic December 11, 2012 at 5:28 am
The perfect present! The result is super! xxx
Bea Fernández December 11, 2012 at 7:24 am
is beautiful remembering old years among this pictures.
regards!
bea
beaishappy.blogspot.com
Jamie "ChatterBlossom December 11, 2012 at 8:09 am
This is so cool! I’ve never heard of a puffer before but it really made a difference!
Jamie
http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 8:26 am
I know. It looks like it wouldn’t do anything but the results are obvious!
Lara Takahashi December 11, 2012 at 9:13 am
It’s super useful. Looks good. I always have FUGLY flash pics with an old camera lol
x, Lara
http://rockteraptor.blogspot.fi/
Instyleforless.org (@haleyinstyle) December 11, 2012 at 11:49 am
Great present. But I am in love with the picture from your sister.
Haley http://www.instyleforless.org
Hope Howland December 11, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Oooh I am a little jealous, your absolutely right, a flash can just make it so much worse but with the Puffer.. wow.. I think I might need to add this to my “wish list”!
Hope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 3:49 pm
So far I love it! I’m pretty sure it was fairly inexpensive too.
Lona December 11, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I love that picture. I’d like to say something smart about the puffer, but unfortunately, I’ve never heard of it
Lona
http://twig-in-pink.blogspot.ca
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Ha! My first time too, but it seems really great so far.
Milna December 11, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Lucky you, Im jealous now
Join my >> GIVEAWAY <<
milna89.blogspot.com
ROXTHEFOX December 11, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Ok, so as a photographer, I love this post, becuase lighting is something that I have not yet mastered. But I have never heard of the puffer? Is it just a diffuser you put over your flash to disperse the light more evenly and not have so concentrated on the subject (thus washing it out)? I just called a camera store and they have no idea what a ‘puffer’ is. I NEED this!!! ahhh
http://WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Yes, it’s a malleable piece of silicone that attaches to a plastic form which slips into where your mountable flash would go. Does that make sense? It’s made in the States by this Gary Fong person. It’s fairly genius if you ask me. I literally tried to stand in the exact same place when I took the pics and they were taken under the same lighting. I’m also going to guess that it was very inexpensive! (garyfong.com/puffer)
vintagefrenchchic December 11, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Oh! Thank you for this information. I am saving $$ for a DSLR right now and I (almost) abhor flash photography… if it can be avoided, it is. I will remember The Puffer for my future DSLR additionsl
ingridbistaco December 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I have some problems with lights when I shoot :/ nice post!!
xoxo
thefashionsecret.com
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 8:33 pm
So do I!!!!! Lighting is the hardest thing. I struggle with it all the time.
LifeAndBows (@LifeAndBows) December 11, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Thats amazing. I have never heard of a puffer. I need to mention this to my hubby
XO
Zhanna
http://www.lifeandbows.com
caroline1t December 11, 2012 at 8:50 pm
It’s super cool and I while I don’t know how much it was definitely under $50!
MiraDevils (@MiraDevils) December 12, 2012 at 3:35 am
Have to say the pic with the puffer looks awesome. What a cool gift. I wanna have one too <3
GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG
xo
glamDevils
Melissa & Megan @goldonblack December 12, 2012 at 3:43 am
Looks awesome – great gift!
Jennie AKA Hooting Miss Owl December 12, 2012 at 4:00 am
Perfect gift for any blogger
I have always wanted a puffer. Can’t wait to see your future pics
xox xox
caroline1t December 12, 2012 at 8:46 am
You are like the first person who has heard of it! That’s awesome.
nini December 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm
its beautiful! how nice of him! christmas came early for you hehee
xx
nini
Kris December 13, 2012 at 12:24 am
yay!! isn’t it weird? I feel like now that I started blogging all of a sudden light rules LIFE. congrats on the diffuser so sweet of your husband to be so thoughtful!
<3 K from loveyouduh.com
lolitainthemix December 13, 2012 at 4:49 am
Great effect!! Sweet husband!
-xoxo- Lorena
http://www.lolitainthemix.blogspot.com
missflamboyante December 14, 2012 at 2:37 am
That’s some really useful information! I would have guessed that what the puffer does could be achieved in any photo editing programme. But yes, when a photo becomes all glary and grainy, there is not much you can do afterwards, so I guess it makes sense!
http://www.theflamboyante.com
caroline1t December 14, 2012 at 1:59 pm
It just cleaned up my pics a bit so I didn’t have to fix them in photoshop.
missflamboyante December 14, 2012 at 3:26 pm
That ofcourse is handy
Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup | IFB December 20, 2012 at 10:01 am
[...] Girl In The Yellow Dress: In a Softer Light [...]
Kat December 20, 2012 at 11:02 am
This is definitely be going on my Christmas list
Tany December 20, 2012 at 5:33 pm
what a great little gadget, I can see it made such a great difference. Great work to the hubby:)
http://www.fashiondelights.net
Links a La Mode - Lover of Clothes » Lover of Clothes December 21, 2012 at 1:30 am
[...] Girl In The Yellow Dress: In a Softer Light [...]
Random Chic Musings (@ChicMusings1) December 21, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Definitely a wise purchase!
Congrats on being featured on Links à la Mode. Feel free to check out mine and let me know what you think
Dille of Random Chic Musings
http://chic-musings.tumblr.com
[LOVELY LINKS] And Links à la Mode | UK style and beauty blog for frugal fashionistas ¦ Sugar and Spice December 22, 2012 at 5:44 pm
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devonsmiley December 22, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Congrats on the LALM selection –
I’m not in the DSLR world yet (I still miss the days when I was using my SLR!) but I think it’s coming…thanks for sharing your new toy with us!
Devon
http://www.InformedStyle.com
» Featured in Links à la Mode! The Mirror On the Wall December 25, 2012 at 3:43 am
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