DIY diffuser
Sep. 11th, 2010 12:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
motetusI'm trying to get more into macro photography but the biggest problem for me is the nasty harsh lighting that the flash gives. Normally I prefer to only use natural light, but there's no escaping it when I have to use apertures of at least f11 and still have a high enough shutter speed for a non-stabilised lens (not to mention those pesky insects that refuse to stay still). So last night, in an attempt it block out a crappy week at work, I got the apartment covered in sellotape and cardboard making this ridiculous thing:
It's my semi-handmade dual diffuser! What it actually is is a speedlite (the really crappy entry level one that doesn't rotate or tilt, but I can't complain because I got it for free) with a Lumiquest mini softbox attached. The softbox provides some diffusion but not quite enough for my liking, so I made a box out of cardboard with a larger surface area for the light to come out, lined the inside of the box with foil, and stuck about 8 layers of foam sheets on top to diffuse the light. Then the cardboard box goes over the softbox (I could probably just use the cardboard diffuser but the softbox makes it so much easier to attach to the speedlite) and I should get nice soft pretty lighting out of it!
With the help of a few cheap items from eBay (okay, the ballhead I already had, but it took me ages to realise that I could use it for this), I got the flash off the top of the camera and to the side. It's not quite ready to be taken out and used because I was a moron and ordered the wrong type of flash bracket, so I have to wait a few more days for that to arrive.
Anyway, here's proof that it works nicely. First is a photo of my peace lily flower with just the speedlite on the top of the camera:
And here's what it looks like with my new contraption at the side of the camera:
Better, no? Now I just need to wait for the bracket to arrive so I can attach the thing to the camera (the wife is refusing to act as a portable flash stand, the meanie) and wait for the rain to go away, then I can go test it out in the field. And get laughed at. But whatever, prettier photos! :D
It's my semi-handmade dual diffuser! What it actually is is a speedlite (the really crappy entry level one that doesn't rotate or tilt, but I can't complain because I got it for free) with a Lumiquest mini softbox attached. The softbox provides some diffusion but not quite enough for my liking, so I made a box out of cardboard with a larger surface area for the light to come out, lined the inside of the box with foil, and stuck about 8 layers of foam sheets on top to diffuse the light. Then the cardboard box goes over the softbox (I could probably just use the cardboard diffuser but the softbox makes it so much easier to attach to the speedlite) and I should get nice soft pretty lighting out of it!
With the help of a few cheap items from eBay (okay, the ballhead I already had, but it took me ages to realise that I could use it for this), I got the flash off the top of the camera and to the side. It's not quite ready to be taken out and used because I was a moron and ordered the wrong type of flash bracket, so I have to wait a few more days for that to arrive.
Anyway, here's proof that it works nicely. First is a photo of my peace lily flower with just the speedlite on the top of the camera:
And here's what it looks like with my new contraption at the side of the camera:
Better, no? Now I just need to wait for the bracket to arrive so I can attach the thing to the camera (the wife is refusing to act as a portable flash stand, the meanie) and wait for the rain to go away, then I can go test it out in the field. And get laughed at. But whatever, prettier photos! :D
no subject
Date: 2010-09-11 12:49 pm (UTC)Looking forward to seeing the results when you do get out in the field :o)
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Date: 2010-09-12 01:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-12 12:04 am (UTC)I too look forward to some more macros using it.
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Date: 2010-09-12 01:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-12 06:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-12 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-19 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-19 01:23 pm (UTC)Typically though, as soon as I had the last piece and assembled it, the sodding rain came along and isn't going to leave until the weekend is over. :(