I need to shoot some food for a newspaper but don't have access to a softbox and often have limited space. If I put a diffusion panel from a 5-way reflector on a stand and fired my speedlight through it, would it act as a DIY softbox of sorts?
Thanks!
Definitely! Light is light, and while you might not get exactly the same result you can definitely get something that will work well. A lot of my work is done bouncing speedlights off white foamcore boards, and it's softens the light just as well as a small softbox. You shouldn't have any problem with your set up. For newspaper work, you don't really need complex multi-light set-ups anyway, so it should be perfect.
I actually love shooting with just one light and a diffuser. You have way more control than with a softbox.
If you are wanting to play with softer or harder light for a single image you just need to move your diffuser closer for softer light and farther away for harder light. That means you dont have to move your light or power it up or down because you moved your light.
For glassware you can move a diffuser in really close to get an even and soft highlight from top to bottom on a bottle that you cant get from a softbox or umbrella.
Speedlite and 40" diffuser is always my first weapon of choice.
Hope it helps.
Nathan
http://www.nathanpedigophotography.com/