Black Straw Snoot

by timalot

36K11524

Intro: Black Straw Snoot

In this instructable, you'll see how to make a flash modifier to focus the light into a narrow beam to add emphasis to your photo

STEP 1: Cut the Soda Straws

Visit your local "Party Supply Store" and ask for black straws. Two packs of 50 costs about 3 Dollars US. Also visit a local hardware store and pick up a section of vinyl drain pipe. (Hint: these are sold in 10-foot lengths, so look for elbows or have these cut in the store so they'll fit in your car)

Mosey on home, after paying for your purchases of course, and cut the straws in equal lengths. Load these into the drain pipe section for a tight fit.

STEP 2: Load Them Tightly Into the Drain Pipe

Once you get most of these straw segments jammed into to drain pipe it should look something like this.

Use a bit of spray adhesive to hold them in place.

STEP 3: Attach It to Your Flash

Now attach it to your flash. I used a bit of black foam to help hold it in place.

STEP 4: Ready-Aim-Fire!

The finished result can focus the beam into a fairly small spot. Keep in mind that longer straws make a tighter beam. Its all about the aspect ratio.

Enjoy!

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24 Comments

J@50n 14 years ago

HAHA, LOVE THIS PIC!! ROFL

Bubz.TH 14 years ago

Awesome! I'm totally doing this! Thanks!

dalbyman 14 years ago

Made my own with straws liberated from a pub and some black duct tape - held in place with a rubber band.
Really effective. =)

agis68 14 years ago

cool but there's any danger form the flash high temperature to melt these starws???????

timalot 14 years ago

I haven't noticed any melting yet, but I haven't done rapid shooting with it either.

rast3r 14 years ago

That looks awesome! And cheap too. Did you just use the foam to fill in the space between the flash head and the drain pipe? If so, does it stay snug? Alex

timalot 14 years ago

The straws are cut about 1/2 inch shorter than the drain pipe. In that space, I used black foam weather stripping around the inside edge. You'll have to experiment a bit because each flash model is a slightly different size.

Goodhart 14 years ago

Very nice....to fit my camera's flash though, it would have to be the size of a Matchbox car (in width) and have a way to attach it to the camera...since the flash is built in and flush with the camera body.

jeoncs 14 years ago

this is awesome great job

The Wanderer 14 years ago

Nice tutorial! FWIW this item is usually referred to as a Grid Spot rather than a Snoot. A snoot is just a tube you shoot through that helps shape the light into a tighter beam. A grid spot provides the nice soft edge transition that makes it useful for dramatic portrait photography.

pindalanderz 14 years ago

you published this instructable on my birthday.

mwwdesign 14 years ago

Open it, open it! Surprise!

rosquillo 14 years ago

Why black? Isn`t reflective index of white higher?

toogers 14 years ago

reflectiveness would throw the beam off.

sleebus.jones 14 years ago

Really nice work. Simple and effective. Bravo!

tammasus 14 years ago

hahaha now that's a really funny photograph. Great tutorial!
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