Post by xeon11 on Jan 10, 2007 0:55:19 GMT 8
Just to share something that i've tested lately while experimenting with Macros and Portraitures. To counter the effects of direct flash such as unwanted flares, shadowing effects etc, a diffuser or bounce is usually used to, well, diffuse the light such that it's not too harsh on the subject.
However, such bounce are usually designed for speedlights and one of the few available ones for pop-up flashes is the Lumiquest softscreen. I've bought one from CP recently (reduced to just $20) and found that despite its light diffusing properties, unwanted flares are still appearing on the pix.
To counter this problem, all you need is to add another layer between the flash and the softscren. I've tried using tissue papers and A4 papers and found that A4 (100 GSM) paper has the best properties when used in conjunction with the Lumi softscreen. Below are some pictures taken from my test. These pictures were all taken in very low ambient light infront of a mirror.
Test A: Just Lumi softscreen - you can see very clearly the flares and shadowing effects. still very harsh.
Test B: Lumi softscreen + A4 (80GSM) paper - slight flares, flash is less harsh
Test C: Lumi softscreen + A4 (100GSM) paper - flares and shadows are practically gone
So far 100GSM A4 paper + Lumi softscrren works for me. For those for do not drink milk (milk bottles for diffuser) and have $20 to spare, you might want to give this a try.
Cheers ;D
However, such bounce are usually designed for speedlights and one of the few available ones for pop-up flashes is the Lumiquest softscreen. I've bought one from CP recently (reduced to just $20) and found that despite its light diffusing properties, unwanted flares are still appearing on the pix.
To counter this problem, all you need is to add another layer between the flash and the softscren. I've tried using tissue papers and A4 papers and found that A4 (100 GSM) paper has the best properties when used in conjunction with the Lumi softscreen. Below are some pictures taken from my test. These pictures were all taken in very low ambient light infront of a mirror.
Test A: Just Lumi softscreen - you can see very clearly the flares and shadowing effects. still very harsh.
Test B: Lumi softscreen + A4 (80GSM) paper - slight flares, flash is less harsh
Test C: Lumi softscreen + A4 (100GSM) paper - flares and shadows are practically gone
So far 100GSM A4 paper + Lumi softscrren works for me. For those for do not drink milk (milk bottles for diffuser) and have $20 to spare, you might want to give this a try.
Cheers ;D
