GoingManual.com

Freddie · New member Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Playing with the Homemade light modifier. Grab shot of one of the grandkids.

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Nikon D200
and some assorted glass

Simon · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

Cute kid. You've got great catch lights and his eyes are really crisp. the hamster cage in the background throws this off a little but you can really see how full of life he is.

The lighting seems to create quite a flat effect, was that your intention? That kind of lighting can be post processed into a really cool effect where the skin is very bright and the eye/nose detail shows in contrast. Best in black and white.

Picture with reds and golds respond well to s-curves. Can I post a version?
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Freddie · New member Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Simon feel free to adjust anything you like in this shot or anyother I post. I was not going for any certain effect I was just playing with some tupper ware on my flash. Was looking for softer shadows and looks like I found some.
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Nikon D200
and some assorted glass

Simon · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

Yea looks like the diffuser is working nicely. very soft shadows. I'm a fan of DIY too.

Here's the modded versions

I removed the background using Extract in Photoshop then applied a slight s-curve. I cropped to 4:5 ratio. and added a 1px border

I increased the curve to make the face very bright then used the channel mixer to convert to BW while keeping the exposure very high. Finally added a border just for web display.

What do you think?
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test12 · New member Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Simon · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

Thanks Test12, I hope you consider it a success! lol
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http://SimonAndrews.net

partsman · New member Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

If you like homemade diffusers try this link. http://abetterbouncecard.com/
It looks goofy but does a really great job and is versatile.

Simon · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

Thanks for the links. I just watched the first and am letting the stream get ahead on the second.

I have a couple of wedding to shoot this summer so need to have a variety of ways to soften the flash. This is a useful way to learn about flash diffusers.

Is that you in the video Partsman? I'm a fan of DIY too, so much expensive stuff can be had for pennies on the dollar with a little ingenuity. Feel free to post links to any more useful info.

What kind of diffuser did you use Freddie? Can you post a description or pic?
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http://SimonAndrews.net

Freddie · New member Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Simon, I don't have a picture of the difuser I used for that shot. I have modified it into a pan light. But it was a two quart plastic container with a hole in the bottom that fit the head on my handle mount Metz flash. I used the white top and shot stright through using the clear sides as a bounce off the white walls and ceiling. It's sort of like the lightdome setup except it is larger and uses a flat top. I have also experimented with a antacid bottle to make a bare bulb out of the flash it gives a simular effect.

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Nikon D200
and some assorted glass

Freddie · New member Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Right now my house is in disaray as I had a water leak that damaged some floors. When I get it all stright I'll post some shots of and with the DIY pan light it also works very well, but looks very strange mounted on the flash, LOL.
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Nikon D200
and some assorted glass

Simon · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

Sites back online after a little down time
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http://SimonAndrews.net