Repurpose – Flash Diffuser

Photographers, both, budding and experienced, have faced the issue of flash whiteout quite often. Sometimes it can be handled by varying the settings and we immediately realize the importance of a flash diffuser.
Like the name suggests, it is used to diffuse the harsh light from the flash and make it more soft and soothing, while still lighting up the subject. It is useful as it does not produce harsh shadows and lights up more area, albeit in a little less intensity.
One can get clip on diffusers for the on board pop up flash, while the external flashes generally come with a diffuser flap. Here is a method of repurposing a used cigarette packet as a flash diffuser in a hurry.

Get a white pack, rip off the bottom of it carefully and pull out the silver or golden foil from inside, carefully so as not to tear it away.

Cigarette pack with a ripped bottom

Reverse the foil so that the shiny bit will be facing inwards.

Foil reversed in a cigarette pack

Push it to till the head, in such a way that light doesn’t escape and is rather reflected and the head behaves as the flash.

Foil positioned to reflect light

Clip it on your camera’s pop up flash. It may need a little tweaking here and there for it to be set correctly.

Repurposed pack clipped on on board flash

Repurposed pack clipped on on board flash another view

Results:

 

Brain coral, loses detail due to white out by direct flash
Normal flash

 

Brain coral, much more detailed due to diffused light
Same settings, with the diffuser

I hope you have found this useful. This is quick fix solution, a typical Jugaad 🙂

Cheers!!

When Creativity Strikes…

With a little more than 20 years of experience in appearing for academic exams, there is one thing I can infer, with certain authority, creativity strikes precisely at the moment when you know you must study and not be distracted. Then again, not always do we take the sensible path, do we?
So, I happened upon a page from an amazing DIY page, The Bored Panda, and was going through the things you can do with a bottle of soft drink. The one that seemed readily possible to be made, was done, and here is the result.

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This can be used as a vase to keep some fresh flowers on the table or the workstation, or you can use this to stuff your pens, pencils and general office stationery too. This was more of a proof of concept kind of experiment and am happy with the result. Some rough edges, no doubts, but I know how to make one of these, so, next time, it shall be much better.
Check out this page, i found it very useful 🙂 : Plastic Bottle Recycling Ideas

Gotta get back to studies! Cheers!!

Up Close…Encore

Today I got my 100th follower, and I was very happy. It made me think that today something special needs to be done, something innovative. So, I revisited an issue I had previously, how to take macro photos on a budget. The macro lens I am aiming for, is still pretty much out of my reach, but lens reversal, that can be done right…so lets try it.

I pulled out my body cap and hollowed it out, and stuck one of the UV filters to it, thread facing outward. IMG_20150703_175844124-1

I put a bit of sticking tape to reinforce the joint, and voila! my lens reversal system is ready. Now, does it manage to hold the lens?
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Oohhh yeeaahh!!! Works fine till here. Lets test!

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By the results, I am happy. No, they are not as nice as a macro lens, but surely a huge improvement than using the macro filters. Check the previous post here and see for yourself.

The DOF is incredibly small, maybe 2 or 3 millimeters deep, at a maximum, when the aperture is open wide. Keeping the aperture open is an issue, needs to be done manually. I wont lie, to take a photo, I needed to shoot at least 10, and it is tiresome. But the results are very much satisfying. Am working on some more close ups, hopefully will post them soon.

Cheers!!

My Toys’ Story – II

Hi all….another iteration of my toys story! But this time, its the ones that went chugging and am sure, in some point of time we were all fascinated with the train engine, and to have a look within the engine, it was a huge thing of joy, for me, it still is, even today!

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The first one I remember!

 

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An old memory…really old one!

For the ones who had a look on my page, Showing Off, the star effect in the first photo has been achieved by the use of the same star filter that has been shown in the DIY. So you see, they do work pretty fine.

Go out there and relive the happy moments that you miss, and dont forget to experiment a bit too!
Until next time…
Cheers!