For all you beginner photographers with DSLR’s, there is a cool new toy for your onboard pop up flash that attaches to your camera and will bounce the flash for a less harsh direct flash. This is especially great for indoor pictures (as there is nothing to bounce light off outdoors) where you don’t have much natural light coming in, and for when you don’t have the money to purchase an external flash with a swivel head. It’s called a LightScoop and you can buy at at Adorama for only $20. I wouldn’t recommend getting the warm version one (I accidentally did and hated the yellow colors it gives).
Here are the results in an area of our house with very little natural light.
No flash
Direct Flash
LightScoop (bounced off a white door and white ceiling)
No flash
Direct Flash
LightScoop (bounced off a white door)
No flash
Direct Flash (Scout either gets weird glowing eyes or shuts her eyes against the harsh flash)
LightScoop (bounced off a taupe corner wall and white ceiling…less than ideal bouncing) 
LightScoop with slightly better bouncing (off white door, but at an angle)
I think it’s absolutely critical to get a good surface to bounce light off, but for $20, I like the lighting it gives over a direct flash. I hate the blown out look and terrible shadows a direct flash gives, so this is great for me!
1 comment:
I do love indirect lighting, I LOATH direct flash! Quick tip for lightening up the pictures in photoshop since they still look slightly underexpose. Once you open them in photoshop go hit ctrl M and it will open a window for your level. Click and hold directly in the middle where the diagonal line is and pull up slowly. Your photo should start lightening up nicely. This is a lifesaver for great pics that just didn't expose right.
Also if you are stuck with using a direct flash, cover it with a piece of tissue paper, or a kleenex ,and it will diffuse the flash a bit.
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