Steve'sDigicams

Boldstar · Apr 27, 2009, 9:34 AM

A friend was asking me on the weekend about how to deal the harsh flash lighting coming from her Canon SX 10. She's mostly using the camera to take shots of her new baby.

My initial advice was to open the apature and raise the ISO, trying not to use the flash. But we all know that flashes are sometimes necessary indoors. Then I remembered seeing some kind of attachment shield thing for point-and-shoot cameras. Does anyone know that they're called, or where I can find a good picture and explanation online?

Knowing my friend, she won't bother to go out and buy an external bouncing flash, so I'm trying to come up with an easy solution that she'll actually try.

JimC · Apr 27, 2009, 1:24 PM

Lumiquest makes this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Diffuser.html

You could also try a translucent film container cut so that you can slide it over the flash, or use a section from a translucent Milk Carton like it's handle the same way. Keep heat in mind as you don't want to damage your flash using that kind of technique though.

tjsnaps · Apr 27, 2009, 1:54 PM

The simple solution is to put a white handkerchief or other white material over the flash.

musket · May 4, 2009, 1:03 PM

Better to use transparent material like bubble wrap

as colour temperature drops dramatically with a handkerchief

Cresho · May 27, 2009, 11:20 AM

diffuser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRyXPhVW_Ks

i use semi transparent scotch tape layered twice and slightly taped just enough to cover the flash. Of course I do not leave the tape after use. I remove it.

Markinter · Sep 23, 2009, 10:56 PM

I read somewhere about putting something over just the center portion of the flash ( middle 3rd) to reduce the harsh light effect but still light the subject.

FaithfulPastor · Sep 23, 2009, 11:25 PM

I have a lightsphere made by Gary Fong. It is a diffuser for a bounce flash and I like it very much. I think he makes a diffuser for your camera.

Take a look here: http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html

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

gjtoth · Sep 26, 2009, 8:43 AM

I took a discarded pill bottle, cut the top and bottom off, and made this:

It's very small (roll it up tighter with a rubber band when not in use) and quick to put on and remove. Also, very secure.

May 27, 2009, 11:20 AM	#5
Cresho Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 548	diffuser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRyXPhVW_Ks i use semi transparent scotch tape layered twice and slightly taped just enough to cover the flash. Of course I do not leave the tape after use. I remove it. Last edited by Cresho; May 27, 2009 at 11:27 AM.

Sep 26, 2009, 8:43 AM	#8
gjtoth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 380	I took a discarded pill bottle, cut the top and bottom off, and made this: It's very small (roll it up tighter with a rubber band when not in use) and quick to put on and remove. Also, very secure. __________________ Gary <><~~~~~~~~~~~ Olympus E-410 Olympus SP590UZ Olympus SP570UZ http://toths.us/GJT -- Joshua 24:15

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Apr 27, 2009, 9:34 AM	#1
Boldstar Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 229	A friend was asking me on the weekend about how to deal the harsh flash lighting coming from her Canon SX 10. She's mostly using the camera to take shots of her new baby. My initial advice was to open the apature and raise the ISO, trying not to use the flash. But we all know that flashes are sometimes necessary indoors. Then I remembered seeing some kind of attachment shield thing for point-and-shoot cameras. Does anyone know that they're called, or where I can find a good picture and explanation online? Knowing my friend, she won't bother to go out and buy an external bouncing flash, so I'm trying to come up with an easy solution that she'll actually try.

Apr 27, 2009, 1:24 PM	#2
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 15,159	Lumiquest makes this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Diffuser.html You could also try a translucent film container cut so that you can slide it over the flash, or use a section from a translucent Milk Carton like it's handle the same way. Keep heat in mind as you don't want to damage your flash using that kind of technique though.

Apr 27, 2009, 1:54 PM	#3
tjsnaps Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 569	The simple solution is to put a white handkerchief or other white material over the flash.

May 4, 2009, 1:03 PM	#4
musket Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,307	Better to use transparent material like bubble wrap as colour temperature drops dramatically with a handkerchief

Sep 23, 2009, 10:56 PM	#6
Markinter Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 44	I read somewhere about putting something over just the center portion of the flash ( middle 3rd) to reduce the harsh light effect but still light the subject.

Sep 23, 2009, 11:25 PM	#7
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 256	I have a lightsphere made by Gary Fong. It is a diffuser for a bounce flash and I like it very much. I think he makes a diffuser for your camera. Take a look here: http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html