Simulate a macro-ring light with your on board flash

[Crazymalaysian]

Using on board flash often results in harsh shadows, and diffusing that flash is key for macro and closeups. So what do you do? Moan that you cant get a macro ring light? Alternatively, with some creativity, you could learn to work with what you've got.

I saw a posting on flickr suggesting mounting a styrofoam bowl infront of your camera to act as a flash diffuser, and so I thought I'd try it as well. Results are amazing.

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Here's what the setup looks like. I get tons of stares whenever I carry it around, but whatever, I dont care. :D

Basically I just cut a circular hole through the center and pushed it ontop of my raynox dcr-250 lens.

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With nothing to shoot at night, I tried macro-ing my eyes. Here's what the reflection looks like.

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A giant ant like jumper, flash perfectly diffused all around.

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And a dragonfly, again, nicely diffused.

If you're limited to just your built in flash, give it a try. You will notice much better images with it, rather than just shooting with the flash alone.

[dtbh]

I like it CM! Thanks for sharing.

[noruazumi]

impressive... i really like it.
thanks for sharing!

[Caveman]

yes, the lightings are fantastic. Better than the R1C1. :thumbs_up:

[ShaolinTiger]

Hehe nice..Digg it here:

http://digg.com/gadgets/Diffuse_Your_Built_in_Flash_with_a_Styrofoam_Bowl

[Crazymalaysian]

Thanks, though credit goes to the original flickr member who gave me the idea to do this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photophool/185168674/

Caveman, it's not better than a R1C1 la, far from it.

[matcom]

Nice eye... err I mean nice pictures:D:D

[mitmivec]

CM ...

show us how u pok the hole on the thing u diy la :D can figure it out how u do it :D i mean how the light pass thru the plate or its not suppost to :P

thanks

[blur]

Wow, looks interesting. Attaching it to the lens instead of the flash! And the best part, easy to do :D

Will give it a try soon!!! Does the level of the bowl - when attached to the lens - has to appear higher than the flash? So meaning, the flash is actually directly hitting at the bowl side, and thus diffused?

[calios]

CM,

make sure u bring it to the next outing ya...

anybody wants to do a MO for the paper bowls? :D

[Crazymalaysian]

CM,

make sure u bring it to the next outing ya...

anybody wants to do a MO for the paper bowls? :D

Duno if it'll work with paper, I recommend styrofoam. Yea sure I'll bring it along.

Wow, looks interesting. Attaching it to the lens instead of the flash! And the best part, easy to do :D

Will give it a try soon!!! Does the level of the bowl - when attached to the lens - has to appear higher than the flash? So meaning, the flash is actually directly hitting at the bowl side, and thus diffused?

This will only work with your built in flash, your external flash is mounted too high and cant be angled down enough. Yes, the flash is directly hitting the bowl and diffused as such. Note that you'll need to compensate for this loss of light (due to diffusion) by increasing the intensity of your flash.

CM ...

show us how u pok the hole on the thing u diy la :D can figure it out how u do it :D i mean how the light pass thru the plate or its not suppost to :P

thanks

The light passes through the styrofoam bowl, yes it's supposed to. Because styrofoam doesnt block the light completely, which would happen with a paper bowl, probably because styrofoam is more porous.

Nice eye... err I mean nice pictures:D:D

Haha thanks, I have girly eye lashes I know.

Here's more pics to show the setup.

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[Fishhook]

this is interesting..thanks for sharing

[andythology]

IMPRESSIVE. but i just can not kow why, how it diffuse the light ;)

[macnpalm]

great idea... now to try it with my macro lens.... thanks!!!

[Crazymalaysian]

great idea... now to try it with my macro lens.... thanks!!!

Remember to manipulate the flash intensity till you get the desired result.

IMPRESSIVE. but i just can not kow why, how it diffuse the light ;)

Light passes through the styrofoam and it gets diffused by the stryfoam, haha. Not sure how else to explain it. :P

this is interesting..thanks for sharing

You're welcome. :)

Here's a before and after shot,

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Shot this and didnt realise the contraption fell off, then reattached,

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and shot this, forgot to bump up the flash strength, so it's a bit underexposed. But as you can see flash isnt as harsh now.

[mitmivec]

wow :P cant belive it but have to :P

impressive must have taken a lot of trail and error

[luke1021]

great technique! =D ill give it a try soon :D

now... just to get myself those styrofoam plate -_-