DIY Flash Diffuser - Airline Barf Bags
The following post with an idea for a DIY Flash Diffuser is by Matthew G. Monroe from The Global Photographer
Call me crazy, but I happen to like airplane travel…
No, I’m not a huge fan of screaming babies, recirculated air, or stale snack crackers. Nor do I like lengthy airport security lines, accusatory customs agents, or the way that my equipment cases get beaten, mauled, and abused by the TSA whenever I travel from city to city.
Nope, what I happen to like so much about airplane travel is that — each and every time I fly — that I always manage to walk about from the flight with at least two portable/foldable flash diffusers tucked away in my pockets.
Obviously, the airlines aren’t giving away flash diffusers on purpose (these days, the airlines are giving nothing away). Fortunately for us — as photographers — the airlines don’t even know that they’re giving away some of the most usable flash diffusers ever made. No, they haven’t cut a deal with LumiQuest, Sto-Fen, or Gary Fong… Nothing of the sort. You see, the reason that airlines don’t even realize that they’re giving away a valuable photographic tool is that they have another name for these awesome lil’ items.
The more common name for the fantastic foldable flash diffusers that can be found on every commercial flight is…
A barf bag
Yes, that’s right… Those cute lil’ white plastic bags that the airlines keep tucked away in the back of every seat are absolutely perfect for diffusing the harsh beam of a direct flash. Just one barf bag (a/k/a: “flight discomfort bag”) stuck onto the top of a flash head will mellow out the light dramatically — especially for more “close in” sort of work — and the way that light gets sprayed in all directions can really help in raising the overall brightness of a room and background.
Myself, I usually keep about six of these portable diffusers stowed away in my kit bag (I fly a lot), and I’ve probably given away at least twice that many to other photographers who’ve asked just what sort of “fancy new equipment” it is that I’m using.
Are these barf bag diffusers an adequate substitute for more commercial (i.e.: expensive) devices? Honestly — under most circumstances — yes. They do the job, and they do the job well. They’re also cheap, portable, foldable, bendable, disposable and — should you happen to be feeling a bit sick — quite usable for another (less photographic) purpose.
Just a few things to take note of:
1) Do not take a bag that has been “used” by a previous airplane passenger.
2) Bags that are some color other than white are not really suitable for diffusing a flash.
3) Bags with lots of colored printing are also not suitable.
4) A few small tabs of tape (gaff tape, duct tape, scotch tape, whatever) will help to keep your diffuser attached to the flash
5) The bag/flash combo will attract other photographers to you like a moth to a flame. When they ask just what sort of diffuser it is that you’re using (and they will ask), please, tell the truth. They’ll either think that you’re a genius (most likely) or that you’re absolutely crazy and shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a camera. If they happen to think that you’re crazy — well — too bad for them. They’re missing out on a great and handy photographic tool.
Read more of Matthew’s writing at The Global Photographer.
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March 20th, 2008 at 12:13 am
LOL — loved this article. What a great idea!
March 20th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Brilliant… we should have more sections on DIY photography
March 20th, 2008 at 1:09 am
This is one heck of an idea! Never thought of putting barf bags on a camera lens :D
March 20th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Great idea! I’m on a flight early tomorrow, can’t wait to try out a few…
March 20th, 2008 at 3:08 am
I’m not sure if the thickness is the same, but Target has been selling paper lunch bags in several colors- including white- for about a year now. They come in a package of 50 for about $3. Might be a much cheaper alternative than, say, booking a flight.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:27 am
That’s awesome. And it looks like it works well too, better than my stupid whale-tail.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Years ago, I used a broken ping pong ball for my point and shoot, but lost it. It was a bit more dangerous, as the edges were kind of pointy.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
And don’t forget a big bag to put over your head because this thing here will make you look like a total douche.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I m going to stock up next time i m going on a flight!
I been sing Rizla papper for the past years and that sure does but its quite inconvient as you have to rip it of and throw away everytime you want to take it off!
March 20th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I never would have thought of tip #1 ;-)
March 20th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Any ideas for diffusing a flash for a point and shoot camera?
March 20th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Couldn’t colored bags be used as gels for a flash? (Regarding number 2 in the list)
March 20th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
pure genius!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
So I have to go spend $500 for a flight to get a barf bag now?
What else can we use?
March 21st, 2008 at 12:48 am
What an idea? Eureka………
March 21st, 2008 at 2:20 am
Great idea. Can we see examples of your work with the barf bag camera? :)
March 21st, 2008 at 3:06 am
Great idea. I love tip #1 :)
March 21st, 2008 at 3:11 am
I use NikonD80. In flash mode,the camera fixes the settings accordingly. When I try to diffuse the flash, the photos are darker. Somebody can please guide me.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
Great article. It made me laugh and gives me something to play with. Thanks!
March 21st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
OH.MY.GOSH! I am in love with this idea. I’m flying to Orange County Saturday for a shoot. . . you can count on the fact I’ll be filling my carry-on! Thanks so much for the ingenuity!
March 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 am
haha.. nice one.. y spend couple of
buckz on a diffuser.. good idea..
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:15 am
Great Idea! Now I need to go find myself a barf bag.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
The question was raised as to how to diffuse a point and shoot flash. If you cut a notch down the side of a ‘clear’ film canister (black and white film generally) you can slide it over your popup flash and it will diffuse relatively well. As for diffusing the corner-set flash, a ping pong ball (as stated by someone above) is effective but hard to attach easily.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Learn from my mistakes……………use a new bag.
I made one out of the handle of a gallon milk carton cut down and slit the long way. works well.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
CORRECTION: I said carton, I meant jug. My apologies.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I just have to say “thank you very much”, this is pure genius.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Thank you for this great idea. With this diffuser, would the flash head be kept straight (pointing up) or at an angle? Also, could you please share your experience with exposure compensation for the light fall off with the diffuser?
March 28th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Well, I make it simpler. I place a couple of tissue paper over the flash when at close range to my subject. I do the same for point and shoot camers but use one tissue only.
Play with it till you find how it works best for you.
William.
March 28th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Awesome idea!!! i especially liked note #1, very good advice… ;)
March 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
What a fun article! This is a great idea. I’ve also seen Lubriderm bottles used for this. The airline sickness bag is so handy and portable. I had to be fancy and get the Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud (sounds better than barf bag anyway), but I’m definitely going to carry a couple of these! (Ever try to get a Lightsphere in your bag?!)
Great article. Do more like this!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
For those that does not fly that offen you can try out the notepads with the rough plastic coverpage. You can find then in different colours but I used the clear one. These works wonderful with the shoot and point camera.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:35 am
In the immortal words of an old commercial
BRILLIANT!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I’ve read everything from toilet paper to cigarette packs for diffusers, but I gotta admit it’s the first time I hear about using the good old air-sick bag! Good one.
…sometimes I just wish my clients would accept these ideas as genius and not as trying scrape an extra buck’o'two from their pockets!!
April 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Awesome Idea!
My parents gave me that same flash, still haven’t figured out how to use the damn thing..