Toilet paper diffuser

[baldmountain]

Last night was halloween and I wanted to get some shots of the kids. The only flash I had was an old Nikon SB-18 which won't work with my new digital camera. All I had was the on camera flash. But we all know how bogus on camera flash is. So I taped a piece of cheap single ply toilet paper over the on camera flash as a diffuser. Like this:



The result looks like this:



I did zero post processing This is just how it came out of the camera. It's not perfect. But it's not completely harsh. I probably could have used one more ply of toilet paper.

[bobshull]

Yikes!!! did you use duct tape?? LOL

Nice light on your photo though!

[peeperita]

i'm all about diy solutions......

marvelous job with your paper diffuser.....i've seen here and implemented for myself the film canister diffuser......if you have an old transluscent white film canister, cut a slot large enough to fit over your flash.....it will slide on and off easily and can be kept in your camera bag....

and best of all.....no tape....

peeper

[prince]

Its a good idea. I've used it myself and works really well.

Peeperita can you please show us a link or something of what you are talking about.. sorry for being sooo uninformed...

[peeperita]

here's a good example of one....

my canon's flash is configured differently, but the same principle applies....


also, here's a great list of diy projects you can try
peeper

[prince]

Originally Posted by peeperita

here's a good example of one....

my canon's flash is configured differently, but the same principle applies....


also, here's a great list of diy projects you can try
peeper

You are awesome. Thanks a bunch. Yes it does sound a cool idea.

[baldmountain]

Originally Posted by bobshull

Yikes!!! did you use duct tape??

No but I did use packing tape since I couldn't find the scotch tape.

Originally Posted by peeperita

also, here's a great list of diy projects you can try
peeper

That's awesome! There is a huge market for expensive photography products. I think the industry makes more money selling photographers stuff than photographers do taking pictures. It's nice to see some ideas for simple cheap projects that you can make yourself. Thanks!

[PhotoKaki]

Wow great idea with the toilet tissue, especially useful if we forget to pack a diffuser (DIY or commercial type). Tx for the sharing. I still liked the film canister idea though, won't induce as many giggles. Cheers and happy shooting.

[AaronBBrown]

If I'm reading/seeing your mod correctly, you could have gotten the same effect by just turning down the flash compensation. Since you have not increased the relative size of the light source, all you have done is decreased its intensity (and wasted battery power) and perhaps slightly altered the color of the flash.

The film canister mod actually works as a diffuser since it increases the effective size of the flash and also redirects some of the flash energy in other directions, where it belongs.

[baldmountain]

Originally Posted by AaronBBrown

If I'm reading/seeing your mod correctly, you could have gotten the same effect by just turning down the flash compensation. Since you have not increased the relative size of the light source, all you have done is decreased its intensity (and wasted battery power) and perhaps slightly altered the color of the flash.

I'm not sure I agree. An on camera flash has a mirrored parabolic reflector that blasts all light straight out the front of the flash in a tight beam. The TP is white so some of the light will reflect around inside the flash before exiting and also be diffused going through the paper. I don't imply that it is an ideal solution, but will do in a pinch and is far better than the normal harsh flash.

Originally Posted by AaronBBrown

The film canister mod actually works as a diffuser since it increases the effective size of the flash and also redirects some of the flash energy in other directions, where it belongs.

I'd agree that the film canister would be better, but being digital it has been ages since I've seen a film canister.