DIY Flash Diffuser with Hundreds of FREE Color Filters

Want to diffuse the flash and add some color to your photos at the same time? This quick and dirt-cheap trick will get you there.

Take pictures in hundreds of different colors using free filters

Flash diffuser that holds colored filters, and showing you how to get HUNDREDS of free gel inserts!!!! to take color altered photos

All these pics have NO out of camera modifications, just a colored flash

click VOTE NOW! above if you like this please.

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Step 1: Preview of finished product

this is what we'll be making today.

jennyo says: Apr 16, 2013. 3:05 PM

Very cool! Almost impossible to locate film canisters though. I did find canisters online at http://www.filmcanisterrockets.com

this one is going to be fun:)

hellmaster993 says: Feb 25, 2013. 10:33 AM

nice snapshot colors.

TheNimrod says: Apr 3, 2008. 2:33 PM

hey I was just wonder what film brands use the clear canisters?

MrBillG59 in reply to TheNimrodJul 26, 2012. 7:08 AM

Fuji.

strikeback in reply to TheNimrodApr 3, 2008. 4:13 PM

i'm pretty sure fujifilm does.

tdawg309 in reply to strikebackAug 7, 2009. 9:13 AM

Kodak uses them.

x7319808 in reply to tdawg309Nov 22, 2009. 12:36 AM

Sorry but Kodak uses a black top with a grey canister.

topherseguin in reply to tdawg309Aug 31, 2009. 12:57 PM

so does easypix

frisbeechamp1983 says: May 15, 2012. 8:21 PM

The Lee filters link is bad. Can't find a new good link.

vandykee in reply to frisbeechamp1983Jun 12, 2012. 6:11 AM

Lee pack seems to no longer be free. $2 USD.

http://shop.leefiltersusa.com/Swatch-Book-Designers-Edition-SWB.htm

jmerlin says: Sep 29, 2011. 9:43 AM

Apollo sent the gel and catalog in less then a week. woot.

yaly says: Jul 22, 2011. 5:04 AM

I sent for both filter packages and the one from lee filters came after a week and the Apollo gels didn't come till now.

Stormchaserblue says: Mar 20, 2011. 9:08 AM

thanks sent of the filters and going to try when they get here!

Ghost Wolf says: Feb 14, 2011. 6:30 PM

ALIEN!!!! It's trying to get our skin pigment right kill it quick!

patnat says: Dec 30, 2010. 10:15 AM

i would stay taken pictures if i could have her in every shot !

Soxbleed says: Dec 14, 2010. 6:18 PM

Ordered my swatches from Apollo and they came in about 3 weeks! Im impressed. free free free! THANK YOU

ali1234 says: Sep 18, 2010. 9:59 AM

Yes, the green pic is the best. very hot girl. i think its a nice color effect,too.

Batness says: Sep 14, 2010. 9:05 AM

Lee no longer sends out free swatches via that link.

twocvbloke says: Aug 16, 2010. 3:55 PM

errrrm, what was this 'ible about, I got totally distracted by the interesting piccies at the end... :P

Ubuntu2009 says: Aug 7, 2010. 8:59 AM

Photoshop or Gimp could do this?

Shut Up Now says: Aug 3, 2010. 9:49 PM

she looks the best in the pink photo, imo. I think the majority of the comments on this ible are about the gorgeous girl, and not flash diffusing.. :P

peytonjr says: Jul 23, 2010. 2:17 AM

I understand the allure of several hundred free little pieces of colored plastic. That said, I highly encourage anyone considering this to obtain their swatchbooks or gels at a real "brick and mortar" store, perhaps even buying them. I'm sure these businesses - which specialize in distributing lighting equipment would love to have your business, and could even sell you some legitimate and useful lighting accessories. Many of these stores are willing to give you a swatchbook with your purchase. Continued abuse of the gel companies' gracious offer of a free swatchbook has resulted in it being more difficult for legitimate lighting designers to get them, as companies (such as Rosco) decide to stop offering, or instate a charge. If you find the use of a gelled flash absolutely necessary, I'm certain that you could also find a trip to the store necessary.

pukid says: Dec 22, 2008. 3:42 PM

lol maybe the model isn't "meant" to be provocative.... but she sure is easy on the eyes. Thanks for the links!! Want to know some more bad form from Rosco? They charge for their sample books... wanted $7.50.

peytonjr in reply to pukidJul 23, 2010. 2:01 AM

They started doing this because lots of people suddenly wanted free swatchbooks. hmm...

voodoo_chicken1 says: Jul 7, 2010. 3:10 PM

This diffuser works very well. I used material purchased from lowes. If you don't want to use tinfoil to project more light, cut up a Mylar party balloon. I used the inside of a doritos bag I ate while working on the project.

aubergine.iridium says: Jun 17, 2010. 3:03 PM

Placed an order for a swatchbook with Apollo yesterday under the guise of being a museum lighting tech. They got back to me within 18 hours telling me my materials were in the mail. Thanks for the link and the fine I'ible!! Can't wait to try out my new diffuser gels!!

FumaKilla says: Jun 1, 2010. 9:50 AM

yep it work best for shooting in B&W.
BTW the sample shot force me to write this : she's hawt !

ian87 says: Apr 20, 2010. 6:04 AM

add a layer of diffusion paper (if unavailable then greaseproof cooking paper will suffice) that will cut out the shadows on the wall. Great instructable. Thanks!

Five Day Forecast says: Oct 29, 2008. 4:33 PM

I'm having a little trouble understanding this step is the gel on the inside or outside of the film cannister. Thanks so much for putting this up though. It has saved me a whole lot of money.

donalson in reply to Five Day ForecastApr 9, 2010. 7:37 PM

it goes inside.. thats why he cut the arc out in the lid... makes it so you can slide the gels in and out easily

myndliss says: Apr 4, 2010. 10:27 PM

So, I did everything you said to do on the instructable, and the color is great, but when it lights up, i can't see the girl in the bikini with mine? Did I do something wrong?

Greenhousegirl says: May 31, 2009. 12:32 PM

I'm wishing i had not thrown out my roscolux gel book thing... man... It was thick too! ><

atrus713 in reply to GreenhousegirlNov 18, 2009. 7:26 PM

that's what she said