[Ross]

DJ, let me chime in here. I use the round filters GoodGolly mentions. I have them from 12" up to 5' in diameter. I also use a portable stand I use as an assistant to hold the filter. They perform the same function that clouds do - cut the harsh shadows. Perhaps 75-80% of my closeups use these in some form. It is nearly impossible to capture the huge dynamic range one encounters outdoors or even indoors under bright lights and capture detail in both the shadows and the highlights without the help of both filters for the brights and reflectors for the darks. I made my own "light tent" one time using a tomato wire holder thing with filter material over it. It was a bomb. For me the way to photograph micro shots outdoors is to get up when it's still dark, get your equipment ready, then set up and wait for day break. Once the sun comes up the thermals will create breezes that will render the image unsharp. Hope this helps.