Flash diffuser/softener :o

Ricky91t

Hello all
Ok,Im going on work experience with a local photo-journalist im looking forward to it but im afraid that when i use my flash its going to blind people even when i bounce it....Any one know of an easy of cheap way to make one that isnt too big or orkward to attach to the camera

Thanks all

melekalikimaka

pieced of whote paper and tape


sorted

Fajitas!

You can always bounce your flash if you're indoors. Check out www.strobist.com, there's a good few links to homemade diffuser set ups on it.

An Omnibounce is a handy piece of kit too

Paulw

Flash through some tissue paper, or buy a diffuser for the flash.

5uspect

plastic milk bottle ftw!

ShakeyBlakey

ricky91t wrote: »

Hello all
Ok,Im going on work experience with a local photo-journalist im looking forward to it but im afraid that when i use my flash its going to blind people even when i bounce it....Any one know of an easy of cheap way to make one that isnt too big or orkward to attach to the camera

Thanks all

Hi Ricky, cut a piece of white linen, a small piece from the end of your bed sheet wont be noticed!, wrap it around your flash head and tape it there, if you fold it neat and wrap it a few times you can take it off and on, no problem, (depending on ur flash head). Its gives a nice diffusion through the small holes in the weave.
or you could make a small soft box, but it looks a bit gimmickie, but great diffusion.
If you bounce your flash off the ceiling it wont blind anybody though.

challengemaster

ShakeyBlakey wrote: »

Hi Ricky, cut a piece of white linen, a small piece from the end of your bed sheet wont be noticed!, wrap it around your flash head and tape it there, if you fold it neat and wrap it a few times you can take it off and on, no problem, (depending on ur flash head). Its gives a nice diffusion through the small holes in the weave.
or you could make a small soft box, but it looks a bit gimmickie, but great diffusion.
i think the linen over the flash will suit your needs best, with the paper i think u'll lose too much output from your flash as it will fire at full strenght for every shot and a strong flash will actually scorch the paper.

That's a bleedin' brilliant idea!

Ricky91t

ShakeyBlakey wrote: »

Hi Ricky, cut a piece of white linen, a small piece from the end of your bed sheet wont be noticed!, wrap it around your flash head and tape it there, if you fold it neat and wrap it a few times you can take it off and on, no problem, (depending on ur flash head). Its gives a nice diffusion through the small holes in the weave.
or you could make a small soft box, but it looks a bit gimmickie, but great diffusion.
If you bounce your flash off the ceiling it wont blind anybody though.

Cheers
Great idea i will try that a.s.a.p LOOK people hes nice really and very helpfull

Thirdfox

Indeed! Which makes that episode last night all the more stranger...but that's all in the past now

pete4130

5uspect wrote: »

plastic milk bottle ftw!

Cant beat it....line it with bubble wrap too to diffuse it some more.......tons of ways!

If your shooting with Nikon flashes I might have a spare one I could loan you for a short while?

Thirdfox

I've seen tupperware being suggested on the American forums - we probably have something similar here.

Ricky91t

pete4130 wrote: »

Cant beat it....line it with bubble wrap too to diffuse it some more.......tons of ways!

If your shooting with Nikon flashes I might have a spare one I could loan you for a short while?

No im using a sigma
Thanks anyway will have to buy a jap one
But i wont have it till late next week:p

pete4130

I might have an old diffuser I used on some generic brand flash in my folks house thats been sitting thee about.....5 years. your more than welcome to see if it fits?

Ricky91t

pete4130 wrote: »

I might have an old diffuser I used on some generic brand flash in my folks house thats been sitting thee about.....5 years. your more than welcome to see if it fits?

No i dont wanna put you throught the hassle.Imguessing you live in Dub so it'll have to be posted

Thanks anyway

stcstc

well what the pros use is an omni-bounce, its a little plastic cap. you can buy them in most photo stores, but they are not that cheap maybe 15 or 20 euro

but it does work, no faffing around, and like i say its what the other photo jurno guys will have on their flashes

Fajitas!

Aye, I use an amni-bounce to great effect.

ShakeyBlakey

i actually use a lumiquest pocket bouncer, i can photograph it and post it, will be very simple to make 1 out of white card, and it gives a nice bounce angle and u can use it over and over

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/shakeyblakey/


The pics here, print out the flat black side use it as a template cut it on card, fold and tape it to your flash head as shown in other pics

Ricky91t

ShakeyBlakey would you be able to do that?Might be easier than cutting my bed sheet which isnt white aswell)
And any ideas where to buy one(For the long run :P)

challengemaster

Shakey - you need to upload the image first..

www.imageshack.us

Thirdfox

or flickr.com
or pix.ie

Ricky91t

ShakeyBlakey wrote: »

i actually use a lumiquest pocket bouncer, i can photograph it and post it, will be very simple to make 1 out of white card, and it gives a nice bounce angle and u can use it over and over

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/shakeyblakey/


The pics here, print out the flat black side use it as a template cut it on card, fold and tape it to your flash head as shown in other pics

Thanks* for all the help will try and do that tomorrow evening will be busy in the morning and a bit late now.Im not the best at crafty stuff but if its any good ill upload some pics
*Bold because im greatfull for you uploading the photos so quick!!!:D

TJJP

stcstc wrote: »

well what the pros use is an omni-bounce, its a little plastic cap. you can buy them in most photo stores, but they are not that cheap maybe 15 or 20 euro

Bit more than that I'm afraid, mind you maybe you could get one on the web. About €29 in conns, saw them in London Jessops/Jacobs for 15 quid though.

I use a post card, white side out obviously, and an elastic band round the flash head. With the flash at 45 - 60 degree the light is nice and soft. TTL takes care of the exposure, but you do loose a few stops of the guide number.

Not as pretty as an omni, but it works...

stcstc

i am sure i only paid about 20 in gunns for the ones i have, have one the the 580 and one for the 430

TJJP

stcstc wrote: »

i am sure i only paid about 20 in gunns for the ones i have, have one the the 580 and one for the 430

TJJP is in the queue at Gunns...