$0 flash diffuser for a DSLR

an index card flash diffuser for the built in flash on a DSLR

Step 1 Materials

you need an index card
you need tape (electrical tape is essayist)
and you need a dslr with a manual flash setting (nikon canon exc)

Comments

[Starstryke25]

I believe it would have been more effective if the card wasn't directly touching the strobe but to think of the flash as a person and the index card as a parachute.. create that "U" shape surrounding the front and perhaps try another shot? I might try it just to check but a very simple and "duh, why didn't I think of that?!?" instructable.

[johnny3h]

Please do not be offended as no offense is intended. I only make these comments in the spirit of sharing knowledge.

I'm not sure, but from my analysis of your third photo [with the card taped to your camera], it appears that this technique is only diffusing a small part of the strobe light, and IF the exposure setting were increased to get a decent overall exposure, there would still be excessive 'specular highlights.' There is STILL a great amount of light from the strobe going DIRECTLY to the subject, which is in no way diffused.

The only reason the specular highlights in your example photo [lamp on the table] are not excessively overexposed is due to the overall underexposure of the entire photo. What you have created with the white card and the tape is a white, reflective 'Barn Door,' which in this case simply changes the direction from which a small portion of the source light comes.

With a built-in, or clamp-on strobe or flash unit, a simpler way to diffuse the light is to use a "trick" we learned in photo school waaay back in about 1964.

That trick is to keep a package of cigarette rolling papers [very thin and transmit diffused light] in your camera bag, or always with your strobe.

When you desire diffusion, simply 'lick' your strobe lens, and stick a layer of the rolling paper on it. If more diffusion is wanted, simply wet a second or third paper and stick on top of the first. When the wetting agent [whatever it is] dries, the paper easily pulls off, and often it falls off on its own.

Another, similar trick is to drape or wrap a single layer [or double if a lot of diffusion is wanted] of a clean, white handkerchief over the strobe and it will diffuse the light. And, IF you want to add a 'tinge' of color to your light source, a tinted handkerchief will add that color. Color changes can be accomplished with color filtration on the light source as well as on a camera lens.

HOWEVER, with any of these tricks, remember that any diffusion cuts down on the amount of light getting to the subject, and exposure increase to compensate may, and usually will, be necessary.

[Frogz]

please note, this site has a "be nice" comment policy so you wont see my full response
but i must inform you, i had to spend upwards of THREE HUNDRED PENNIES for your hack and it made my already cheap broken down camera look even UGLIER
heres some advice however, a piece of tissue paper over the flash works just as good, it cuts total light output minimally but it isnt AS ugly