Built-in flash mod, reflector

[jasr]

So I have been debating posting this for a couple hours due to feeling extremely inadequate compared to all this threads I have been reading.

I don't have the money to by a external flash right now. In order to try to "bounce" the flash a bit I got creative after seeing some of the DIY projectors.

Taking some black and white fun foam pieces and the real "duct" tape that is actually metallic I began to experiment.

Here is my "subject" with just the normal flash. I know there is not the right amount of available light but I was just testing for the flash.

Just Flash (http://picasaweb.google.com/jj3kgt/FlashTest#5258979886892111122)

Then I contructed a white piece that actual folds into a cube around the flash. This gives you just front, front and top, or front, top and back. This attached to the flash with a rubberband.

White Foam (http://picasaweb.google.com/jj3kgt/FlashTest#5258979891550928594)

After that I used the black foam and lined it with the duct tape. After a couple of variations I ended up with a "trifold" design that blocks just the front and reflects upwards. The foam can be bent to aim it more upwards or more behind you as well.

Black foam (http://picasaweb.google.com/jj3kgt/FlashTest#5258979905921798706)

Picture of the contraption. (http://picasaweb.google.com/jj3kgt/FlashTest#5258988788257205874) Another. (http://picasaweb.google.com/jj3kgt/FlashTest#5258988794920201394)

Over all I am happy with the results, the house was lamost dark except for the florescent light in the kitchen so I think it will work well with a decent amount of light.

Keep in mind I am very new to photography and I am still trying to grasp apeture and fstops. Any c & c are welcomed, just be gentle!

Also I don't think my IS is working on my kit lense for my XSI. Any definitive way to figure out if its working?

Thanks,
James

[Perfect_10]

Sorry man .. it's just plain fugly.

have you looked a one of these ?

http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html

[DealsGapCobra]

The rig may not be too attractive but it sure improves IQ which is what really matters!

[SFzip]

Your proof of concept is right on the money.

There's a production version already available at www.lightscoop.com.

[tony rage]

very creative, unfortunately like SFzip says, there is already one in the market... but hey! you were able to figure it out and make your own! cheers to that!!! I think the results are pretty good,who cares if it looks ugly!!

[TMR Design]

Sometimes DIY's work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they look great and sometimes they are ugly as sin. I've got a box full of both ugly and failed DIY's.

The important thing is that you're testing concepts and learning. Seeing how light works is half the battle when it comes to good lighting. Reading about it and watching DVD's can only get you so far.

I applaud James for conducting a simple experiment and publishing the results even though he was not feeling very confident.

With any luck there will either be a version 2 that is more effective/attractive or he'll have decided to move on to a product that is on the market that does the same thing, and then some.

Kudos James. Keep experimenting and learning. Don't get caught up in how great it looks and don't start buying tupperware for your flash unless or until you know what you want it to do and what each of the products can and will do for you.

[Wilt]

The Fong device is totally different in lighting concept than the OP's idea!!!

The OP device blocks all forward-projecting light and diverts it all upward to the ceiling, when the very large ceiling serves as one huge indirect light source. Since the light is going upward very steeply largely, it is going to bounce back downward at an equally steep angle. Because it is a very large source, the light from the ceiling will have very soft shadow edges, but under the chin would nevertheless be rather dark. With the vase, it is not so apparent, but if the subject was a person, the under chin area would be largely in the shadows.

OTOH, the Fong device shown at http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html is a totally forward projecting (direct) light source, somewhat (though very modestly) larger than the native on-board flash. (yes, there is a very tiny amount of upward scattering of light, but it is greatly diminished in intensity compared to the forward light component!) Because it is a bit larger in size than the native flash, there is a tiny bit of shadow edge softening (not a lot!). And because it is direct light moving forward, a person would not have shadows apparent under the chin.

Congrats to the OP for learning by experimentation rather than simply asking us for answers and not remembering the concepts because they came too easily!

You might not want to be so critical of others' efforts until you can quickly spot the similarities and the differences, Perfect 10. :cool:

[jasr]

Thanks for the comments! I did learn a lot from this. The main point was to experiment with bouncing the flash. I have sense made revisions and they are much smaller and work well. I just need to finish them and I will post them up, and yes they are more attractive this time around.

[UK Accipiter]

You have a great set up there. When you decide to treat yourself to an external flash, look at complimenting it with a Gary Fong Lightsphere. I picked a couple up (Cloud and Clear) from Henry's Camera in Canada including the Chromedome accessory for my 580 EXII. They are not generally available in the UK but I have had some great results. Have noticed a few of the Fashion Paparazzi have started using them as well. Would sure like to know what my fellow US and Canadian photographers think?

[HSK]

I been wanting to try and make something like this, at the moment I don't have a flash gun, and don't really use the on board flash has the results are not great and it's restricting. But I have tried a lil makeshift diffuser (made out of a lil piece a plastic, from the handle of a milk bottle/carton). and it works very well. the light is a lot softer...and that was at -0+, still need to try it at -2 compensation.

[neilwood32]

You have a great set up there. When you decide to treat yourself to an external flash, look at complimenting it with a Gary Fong Lightsphere. I picked a couple up (Cloud and Clear) from Henry's Camera in Canada including the Chromedome accessory for my 580 EXII. They are not generally available in the UK but I have had some great results. Have noticed a few of the Fashion Paparazzi have started using them as well. Would sure like to know what my fellow US and Canadian photographers think?

Gary Fong has made lots of money from convincing people to buy things they dont really need. Sorry to say it but the vast majority of what the Fong LS does can be achieved by other cheaper means (bouncing of walls/ceilings being the main one). It just means learning about light

I been wanting to try and make something like this, at the moment I don't have a flash gun, and don't really use the on board flash has the results are not great and it's restricting. But I have tried a lil makeshift diffuser (made out of a lil piece a plastic, from the handle of a milk bottle/carton). and it works very well. the light is a lot softer...and that was at -0+, still need to try it at -2 compensation.

HSK, good to hear your experiment worked (esp at the cost of a milk carton!). IF you do decide to move up to an external flash, you will notice a huge difference. To do use it well involves a fair amount of learning but imho its worth it!

[Perfect_10]

... Would sure like to know what my fellow US and Canadian photographers think?


Gary Fong is smart .. he's made money out of creating things some people didn't know they wanted .. and I commend him for it.
I would rather pay for something that kinda looks the part, instead of having a butcher milk jug duct-taped to the head of my flash ;)
Yes I could look for the correct ceiling, wall, or whatever .. I could also put out my LS and slip it on. I know which I do.
Then again back in the day I used the Vivtar 285HV with the hand grips, portable ceiling adapter, etc. I like to have the toys I guess :lol:

[TMR Design]

I would tend to agree but seriously, how much different is a milk jug from a quart size wonton soup container?

I don't dispute that Fong is smart and has made a fortune, and I don't dispute that in certain situations his devices work and work well but in my opinion the lightsphere looks as ridiculous as any other piece of tupperware mounted to a Speedlight, which always brings me back to the SoupSphere. :D

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=132969&stc=1&d=1166998046

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=132970&stc=1&d=1166998046

[Wilt]

You have a great set up there. When you decide to treat yourself to an external flash, look at complimenting it with a Gary Fong Lightsphere. I picked a couple up (Cloud and Clear) from Henry's Camera in Canada including the Chromedome accessory for my 580 EXII. They are not generally available in the UK but I have had some great results. Have noticed a few of the Fashion Paparazzi have started using them as well. Would sure like to know what my fellow US and Canadian photographers think?

Those who know, understand the limited utility of a product like Fong markets and even Stoffen. Those who understand, see that you can achieve equally good or better results with less expensive solutions. Those who know, understand how wasteful of battery power these products can be, when inappropriately used outdoors and where there are high or off-colored ceilings. Those who use these products outdoors and in situations where it does no good (but only consumes light and battery power) clearly do not understand light, even if they offer their services as a paid photographer (I don't use the term 'professional' for these people, because a professional understands his craft, and not merely gets paid for execution of tasks.

[UK Accipiter]

Rob,
Many thanks for the pics. Quite agree from the other comment that knowing how best to manage light is the greatest challenge in photography (still learning myself after 35 years). I am sure there must be thousands of photographers out there who have made up ingenious gadgets and not patented them. Joining this forum has been an eye opener. Many thanks to all that have fed back so far.