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Good lighting is the key for good underwater photos. Even using two strobes, the positioning can be tricky and the smallest mistake can be critical, ruining your shot with backscatter.
It gets even more difficult when we get closer, specially with a wide angle lens.
The best strobe position for close focus wide angle is with the strobes at the lense level, a little bit behing the dome and pointing slightly outward. But this technique which is pretty effective to avoid backscatter has a minimum distance limit, and if you try to get closer the light won't reach your subject. To solve this problem we need a wider light beam and a softer edge, and this is provided by the Light Dome diffusers.
We have tested multiple material options until we found the optimum balance between light loss and beam softness.
The Diffusers take out about 1/2 or 2/3 light stops compared with the original diffuser at the center of the beam, but this light is gained at the edge, where you most need it. The result when you work up close is you will be using a smaller aperture for greater depth of field, or a lower strobe power setting for faster reciclying and longer battery life.
Shadows become much softer with the diffuser, so it is also de ideal accessory for single strobe shootters who want to avoid the complexity of dual strobe systems.
Color temperature is slightly warmer that the originial diffusers. Most people won't notice this under normal shooting circumstances, but the important point here is that the light doesn't become any cooler, and the warm colors remail unaltered.
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| Inon Z240 y D2000 |
Inon S2000 |
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| Ikelite 125/160/161 |
Sea&Sea D1 y D2 |
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| Sea&Sea YS01 y YS02 (ready for frontal fiber optic connection. Diffuser has a side fiber optic exit) |
Sea&Sea S110 & S110 alpha (ready for frontal fiber optic connection. Diffuser has a side fiber optic exit) |
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We custom make diffusers for video lights too.
Please inquire about your model. |
These examples show the typical lack of light at the center of the photo using the standard difussers and how the Light Dome diffusers correct this problem with a nice even light across the frame, even at closer distances:
Best way to test a light beam is outdoors where light can't rebound off celiling or walls. We have used a circular fisheye lens to properly show the increase in wideness and the softness of the light edge.
The strobe has been placed at 90º off the lens to capture the beam edge. With the Light Dome diffusers the light goes even behind the strobe plane. Don't be surprised if youfind yourself placing your strobes at 90º outward for extreme close focus wide angle in the murkiest conditions !
This animation is showing alternatly a photo shot with the standard diffuser (S&SD1-120º) and with the Light Dome diffusers. The light beam projects behind the strobe with a very soft edge. |
We have made endless tests, both underwater and on land, and the angle increas is eviden in all cases. |
These two photos also show clearly the difference in the light beam edge: first photo with the original S&S diffuser, following by the Light Dome diffuser.
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| This example shows the typican close focus wide angle strobe positioning to avoid backscatter: |
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| the first photo with the original diffuser leaved the foreground underexpose, while the second photo with the LightDome diffusers gets much better light in the foreground subject without changing the exposure nor the strobe power. |
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| Se observa que sin cambiar la posición de los flashes, ni los parámetros de la cámara ni la potencia el flash la iluminación del primer plano mejora considerablemente. |
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For this exampler we hace placed the subject at only 1,5 cm from the lens. This is a very difficult situation of macro-wide-angle to get the light right with traditional diffusers. However the LightDome diffusers increase exposure at the foreground while keeping a good strobe angle that avoids backscatter.
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| La única manera de iluminar correctamente en esta situación es utilizando los difusores Light-dome de Glowdive |
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The example shows the use of the LightDome diffuser with a single strobe system. The good position for the strobe when using a wide angle lens and a single strobe is right above the lens and pointing slightly upward to avoid backscatter. This strobe position leaves the foreground with a shadow, but using the LightDome diffuser we can get the light to the very front of the lens without having to point the strobe downward which would produce backscatter. |
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The Light Dome diffusers can be used for macro too, and we are receving good reports of photographers using them for difficutl to light scenes using extreme macro lenses that couldn't otherwise light with traditional lighting.
Light Dome diffusers have been designed by proffesional underwater photographer Carlos Villoch (more info at www.villoch.com). Each diffuser is individually manufacured by him in Spain. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact at: [email protected]
We ship Light Dome diffusers worlwide.
Shipping by express courier to most EU countries is 19 € and takes about 5-6 days.
Please inquire for a shipping quote to your country. |
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