Mimi birthday photo

The other night I was playing around with my Gary Fong diffuser and Canon Speedlite flash, and I can tell that using these is going to be a labor of love - lots and lots of trial and error. But, at least it will only cost me time, and not money. (Can you tell I don't really miss film at all?)

I took this at my friend Mimi's birthday party - here she sits on her mantle with her boyfriend Steve as they hold a statue of a golden frog (faux gold, of course).

The Fong diffuser does an excellent job of diffusing light, but I'm still working on the intricacies of using it. I can say, however, that it has sparked my interest in flash photography. Gone are the days of direct harsh light and casting unwanted shadows.

Note the slight distortion at the edges of the fireplace. Normally I don't mind these, but I was disappointed in this instance, especially considering it was taken with a Canon L lens. Normally at 24 mm, I don't notice distortion this much. Other than that, I can't explain it. This also isn't an indictment of this lens at all, however - it's my workhorse and I love it.

A quick note on Canon's Speedlite 580 EX II flash, which I seldom use (but that's changing) - this is the sixth flash I've owned (5 of them Canon Speedlites), and this is by far the quietest, quickest one of them all. Canon really took care of the little things when it made this one. However, I have barely scratched the surface as far as what this flash can do; I'll write much more about it in the coming months.

Canon EOS 5D, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L lens, Canon Speedlite 580 EX II flash, Gary Fong clear diffuser, image taken in program mode for camera and flash (settings unrecorded)