I received complimentary Gary Fong Puffer products to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve had my new Canon Rebel camera for about two months now and honestly, I’m still pretty much shooting in auto mode. I have gotten adventurous a few times and tried messing with aperture and shutter speed, but for the most part, I really need more time to learn. One thing that I really wanted to improve was my flash photography. I know, you’re supposed to take pictures in natural lighting whenever possible.
Well, guess what? Sometimes I don’t get to work on pictures until night time. Sometimes I make something for dinner and want to actually eat it at dinner time! Sometimes I play with my child after the sun goes down. Sometimes family visits and we go to the pool at their hotel, like we did here:
Taking pictures only during the daylight really isn’t practical. It eliminates a good 10 hours of potential memory making time! Well, maybe not 10 hours, because we all have to sleep eventually, but you get my point.
When I got my camera, I went on a mission to find something that would help me take better pictures with the flash. I’ve used Gary Fong products for my little point and shoot camera before, so I knew it was a name I could trust. I reached out to ask about reviewing the Puffer Plus, so here we are! While I was waiting, I wandered into a local camera shop to ask the photographer what he thought was the best flash diffuser. He said “Gary Fong’s Puffer Plus, but we’re sold out.” Apparently it is just THAT good.
Trying out the Gary Fong Puffer Plus
The Gary Fong Puffer Plus is designed for different types of cameras. I, obviously, got the one for the Canon. The arm slips right on to your flash’s hot shoe area, the the shield comes down over the onboard flash. That’s pretty much it. Super easy to put on your camera, and from there, you just take pictures! The Puffer Plus helps diffuse the light so it’s not so concentrated on your subject. Check out the video, I love how Gary Fong explains it in terms a newbie like me can understand.
Check out these pictures of my aunt’s little dog, Otto (I have so many pictures of my dogs on the site, I thought maybe you’d like a change of pace. Plus he’s so darn cute!)
I love this one because it looks like he’s laughing, even though he was getting a little bored of me taking pictures of him and was yawning. He was a good sport about it though! My dogs choose not to sit still anymore. Like my son, they’re just getting tired of me constantly taking their picture!
Both of these were taken at night with my flash on. I don’t claim to be an expert in photography, but I think they came out pretty fantastic! I really love that the Puffer Plus can be taken apart so it’s easy to fit in your camera bag too. You can also get the Warming Shield for those times when you’re using your flash in daylight to add dimension to the picture. I don’t really understand how all that works yet, I’m not quite that advanced. That’s why I highly recommend watching Gary Fong’s video above, he tells you exactly what it’s used for.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for a great, easy-to-use tool to help diffuse your flash so you can actually take great pictures at night, you’ll love Gary Fong’s Puffer Plus. At just $24.95, it’s an economical buy that will really help your flash photography.
oh my god, that little cute dog !..
thanks for the review about gary fong puffer plus, i hope i can get one this year..
I want to get a “real” camera this year. Honestly, the Nikon Coolpix camera I have had for TEN years is great— but I want a fancy DSLR camera…and I think it is time. I am always disappointed with my pictures– and I realize it’s not me as much as it is the camera needs upgraded. This looks like a great accessory to help with pictures.
This is great! Always looking for ways to improve my pics (Kim)
So it’s a portable mini diffuser? Great idea!
The flash on my camera is fine – it is the one on my iPhone that makes everyone have red eyes. I need to do something about that.
What a great item to have, I need to get a flash for my camera first. We thought it would be compatible with the one we had since we stuck with the same model but it isn’t. I would love this for many of the photos I do.
I’m no photo expert but this seems like something one could use.
I really need to learn how to take proper photos. And when I do, I will definitely need one of these.
That sounds like a neat tool! I hate when I try to take pictures at night with only the flash and everything gets all washed out.
I would not have guessed those two photos were taken at night with the flash on! I will have to look into this for my camera.
That is one cute dog! This sounds like a really cute tool! I can’t believe they were taken at night.
Those pictures look really well done; the quality is amazing.
These pictures look GREAT!! I love the ones of your pup! What an awesome tool. I was just telling my husband I need to get a real camera. I’ll have to look into this as well.
Those pictures are fun and that dog is adorable.
My MIL had a dog just like that for years too. He was a sweetheart too, loved to be pet. 🙂
I just need a crash course in photography…period. This simple piece of equipment seems to really work
Oh, this looks like a great product! Definitely a difference in those pics!
I literally ordered a few of these.
I purchased the ones for my pop up flash at really great prices.
This is such a great tool for taking photos afterhours. I like the soft lighting look it gives photos.
I am definitely putting a good camera at the top of my wish list. These are great photos!
Now that is awesome – I love anything that has to do with great photos!
I hate using flash. It makes everything look so unnatural…
Nice pictures!