BrianHursey.com

Posted by Brian on April 26, 2008

Howto : Free Pop-up Flash Diffuser

I found this really cool tip, I have had issues with using the built in flash. The reason I have always had issues was because of the harsh light produced. I have always liked using natural light so that the photo is not washed out. This is the reason I have two lenses that are at f1.8, my 50mm and my 85mm ,and I do not have the money to get the canon flash that I want. The problem with having the aperture wide open is that you have a really shallow focal range. This is not good when photographing events with two subjects, one normally is out of focus. This is great for single person portrait photography, but not for events. I found that f2.8 is a good range when taken pictures of multiple people, and in that case for indoors you really need a flash. Anyways I am ranting lets get down to making a diffuser.

Supplies:

1. Camera with a popup flash Examples: (Canon 20D or XT, any Nikon SLR)
2. You need a white plastic film canister. I use Fujifilm 400iso for my film slr so this will work. "Ohhh no I haven't shot film in years" Sometimes photo labs have some extras laying around. Next time you get photos ask nicely and maybe they will give you one.
3. Ruler
4. X-acto Knife

First of all measure the width of the plastic on the side of your flash… Its ok to have it to small you can go back and trim.. Notch it with the measurement and then cut. Take you time X-acto Knifes are sharp. :) I have cut my self a few times in my life.

Second slide the canister on the flash. If it is to snug trim a little so the cap will fit on, you want the canister to keep its original shape. Note: I had to Notch out the inside of the cap the same width of my cut before to have the cap stay on. You always can use clear tape to hold the cap on.