In this tutorial I will show you how to build a cheap yet effective diffuser that will also allow you to use theatrical gels from Rosco to color your flash.
Materials needed:
Clear film canister
Utility knife
Roscolux gel samples and a hinged metal ring (the gels come on a plastic rod, making them hard to remove. I simply cut the rod with wire cutters and put the gels on the ring, which allows you to easily access them individually)
Rosco will ship you the gels for FREE. All you have to do is call their offices at +18007672652 and ask the receptionist for a sample set. He/She will ask for your shipping address and send them off to you within the week via UPS, no questions asked. You can also order them from B&H for $.01, but why bother when Rosco will send you them for free?
The Process:
Step 1: Cut a slot in the film can lid
Using your utility knife, hollow out the gap in between the center of the lid and the rim of the lid as shown, about halfway around the cap.
Step 2: Cut slot in film can
Again using your utility knife, cut a slot approximately 1.5cm wide for the entire height of the can. As it will need to fit over your camera's pop-up flash, the size of the gap needed may vary.
Step 3: Slide can over pop up flash and close lid, slide gel into slot in cap so it sits directly in front of flash.
You can, of course, use the diffuser without gels if you so desire.
Step 4: Have fun!
test image
I have also posted a few additional pictures of the project on flickr
here.
Enjoy!