Remedies for pop-up flash

[Patrick in Oregon]

Hello. I've searched high and low (maybe I'm phrasing my searches wrong) and I can't find an answer.

I'm going to a convention on Thursday where the lighting will be terrible. I don't have the money to buy a dedicated flash. I've seen neat DIY solutions to making pop-up flash less harsh. Right now I plan on modding an old film canister to make a quick diffuser and possibly some white card stock to make a bounce.

Obviously these aren't ideal but it's what I can afford to work with.

The problem is convention space is a weird mix of huge vaulted ceilings and tight spaces created by displays and walls.

From what I've read, giant spaces render bouncing and diffusing useless. But direct pop-up lighting is the worst.

I've seen some scoops that bounce the light up and forward. Would that be better than just a 45 degree bounce for my conditions?

I plan on doing the "diffuser" to at least make a flash somewhat usable if I'm close enough.

Should I just bump up the iso and skip the flash? I was hoping to avoid grain as much as I could.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I'm also looking at making a soft box to make the flash "bigger."

 

[HPS3]

One thing I've learned when using the pop-up or external flash directly is to dial down the flash compensation to try and balance the ambient. I usually shoot around 800-1000 iso and a fast lens. I hate the look of direct flash and try to avoid it when I can.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Yeah I'm looking to avoid the direct light so I figured even a DIY diffuser is better than nothing.

I don't know. I might just go with bumping up the iso and only using the film canister for emergency flash usage.

 

[HPS3]

I used the film tube method on my Nex but I didn't notice much difference.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Hmm :/ I'll try it out tonight.

 

[cisobe]

A few issues with on board flash, the first is the fact that its typically on axis with your lens, its typically a tiny light source in comparison to want you're lighting and color balance is typically different especially for interior conditions.

The fact that its on axis with the lens is irrelavent as you can't move the onboard flash. The size of the light source and the direction its coming from is the reason why its considered harsh. Creating a larger diffuser may help resolve the harshness only if you can significantly change the relative size of the light source as compared to the subject. Typically this is achieved by bouncing flash off ceilings or back walls. Since your on board flash only faces forward, you can only increase the size of the diffuser in front of your flash. You can possibly realistically put a 4" x 4" piece of paper in front of the flash to act as a diffuser but if your subject is 20ft a way it will not make that big of a difference. If they are closer it will be more effective. Keep in mind you will also be decreasing the power output of your flash.
White balance is going to be an issue as well unless you gel you flash to match the lighting indoors.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I use the below products. When I can't bounce a flash (high ceilings, outside) I use my Demb Big Flip-It. It works exceedingly well. They make several products for the on-board flash.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/

 

[jimim]

I use the below products. When I can't bounce a flash (high ceilings, outside) I use my Demb Big Flip-It. It works exceedingly well. They make several products for the on-board flash.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/

+1. I have his saucer for my external flash and its awesome. He has an inboard flash piece now that my friend bought and he really likes it. I have seen pics with using it and it deff takes alot forcthe harshness away. Worth the little money it it.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[wiigirl]

I use the below products. When I can't bounce a flash (high ceilings, outside) I use my Demb Big Flip-It. It works exceedingly well. They make several products for the on-board flash.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/

x2

 

[ronfin]

You can also try a Gary Fong Popup Flash Diffuser. Helps some.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=706801&is=REG&A=details&Q=

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I was interested in the demb flip-it. I've heard only so-so things about the Gary fong. The problem is I leave tomorrow afternoon lol.

I might make my own demb flip-it out of some card stock. I hastily cut up a film canister and it definitely reduced the power of the flash. I didn't get to test whether or not that translates into "better" flash.

I will get a flash eventually, I just don't have the money to drop suddenly for this weekend.

Well any direction I go will be a test of photographic wit!

 

[ronfin]

I was interested in the demb flip-it. I've heard only so-so things about the Gary fong. The problem is I leave tomorrow afternoon lol.

I might make my own demb flip-it out of some card stock. I hastily cut up a film canister and it definitely reduced the power of the flash. I didn't get to test whether or not that translates into "better" flash.

I will get a flash eventually, I just don't have the money to drop suddenly for this weekend.

Well any direction I go will be a test of photographic wit!

You can use a metal hanger, some electrical tape, and a piece of white paper to make a MacGyver type one on the fly if you really need one. I made one once and it worked very well. Even just holding a piece of white paper in front of the flash will diffuse it enough so the shadows aren't so harsh. Do a little testing to see how much flash distance you'll lose doing this, and see if it works.


Here's a link to the one I copied.

http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-built-in-pop-up-flash-diffuser