The simple solution to UGLY flash photos taken with pop-up flash
I've received a couple of off-the-blog queries about what the Lightscoop™ looks like. Fair enough. Here are a couple of pictures of the latest prototype. It slides into the camera's hot shoe, and is positioned so that its reflective surface bouces the light from the pop-up strobe onto the ceiling (or wall when held vertically). Voila.
Instead of a reflective surface you should think about a diffusion screen. You might also think about having it fold flat when not in use.
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Thanks for your suggestions, Brian. We found initially that folding the scoop would drive the price of manufacturing up more than we could handle right now, but we've planned for that possibility in our patent application. I'm going to address the question of a diffusion screen, and why I've opted for a reflector, in a posting, as the explanation is a bit lengthy. Thanks again for writing in.
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Cool! Perhaps you could simply add a notch or two where the user could place his own screen, paper, etc. (when I laid eyes on your invention that's what I thought to myself -- I will get it! Then I could fiddle w it -- but I guess it's better to bring it up to you directly! Anyway, it's an idea but perhaps there's a reason it wouldn't make sense.
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Thanks for writing, Josh. As I hope the most recent post illustrates, a diffusion screen placed in front of the pop-up flash simply isn't as effective as redirecting the light -- thus resulting in a much larger light source (and much greater diffusion) coming from a more natural direction. I will have a version of the Lightscoop with a warming reflector. Placing a gel over the standard Lightscoop reflector reduces the total amount of light available to bounce. The pop-up flash in these cameras is only JUST strong enough to bounce enough light for proper exposure.
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Great idea Kobre, but I'll stick to the disposable white plastic spoons you and I experimented with some 3 decades ago - back in the good old daze. The lighting wasn't very "strong" but it was soft.
All best - chip
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Right, Chip, but back then we were rinsing prints in a toilet bowl! Life has moved on, yes? Great to hear from you!
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MY CAMERA HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED A ROOM LIKE THIS GADGET NOR MAKE ME LOOK THIS GOOD..GOOD-BYE TO PHOTOSHOP FIX-UPS!!
I WANT TO MEET THIS LIGHTING GENIUS PROFESSOR KOBRE. WHAT A FABULOUS INVENTION!!
"THE FLIKKER"
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Hey... a Mini 'Gary Fong' Lightsphere Toy for ONLY $30 + Shipping - LOL
Seriously, I Probably Will Buy It (-:
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Hi Ken...just wondering how you decided on the angle for the reflector? It appears to be steeper than 45 degrees, which means that most of the light is directed backwards rather than straight up or a bit toward the subject (as it would be with an external flash pointed at the ceiling).
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Sorry about the delay responding, Ken. Have been distracted by the completion of the 6th edition of my textbook and a full semester of classes. We tested various angles for the Lightscoop and found that those bringing the light forward also spilled direct light into the frame of the picture. We're dealing here with the original angle of the built-in flash in addition to that of the Lightscoop... It was an interesting testing process. Thank you for writing...
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Hi Ken,
I found a couple articles on your "lightscoop" and am very interested...but I don't have a camera w/ "pop up" flash, only built in (like point and shoot digital camera).
I'm unhappy with the flash (and the results) with these cameras, is there anything I can do to bounce light with a flash like this (vs a pop up flash)?
Please help!!
Thanks,
Katie
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