DIY "Ikea" Flash Diffuser

[ark19]

Hi guys, I was using the Light Sphere quite often, but find that it's really bulky and heavy. So came up with this idea of a similar method of diffusion while reducing the bulkiness.
he diffusion medium is a Rationell Drawer Mat from Ikea. COst $7.90 for a 150.4 x 50.4cm roll.

Uploaded the instructions here.

Some comparisons:
1. Direct flash


2. Direct flash, pointed upwards


3. Light sphere


4. Ikea Diffuser


Hope you guys like it. : )

***Update***
Just came across a commercial product that is similar:
http://www.uneed-hk.com/product/podk...agiclight.html

[JacePhoto]

any sample of pictures taken with this special diffuser? How does it compare with the rest?

[moos blues]

Hey thats a real cool idea....
Do post samples if u have any...


I also came across an ikea light tent for product shoots....

http://sodoityourself.com/the-ikea-hamper-light-tent/

i think the light inside not a very good option..
but if there where two lights outside would be great...

and it's collaspeable...

[ark19]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto any sample of pictures taken with this special diffuser? How does it compare with the rest?

Hi JacePhoto, updated the first post.
Actually the photos are shown in step 4 of the instructables.

[ark19]

Originally Posted by moos blues Hey thats a real cool idea.... Do post samples if u have any... I also came across an ikea light tent for product shoots.... http://sodoityourself.com/the-ikea-hamper-light-tent/ i think the light inside not a very good option.. but if there where two lights outside would be great... and it's collaspeable...

Umm... different purpose.... but for DIY light tent, this is good: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07...to-studio.html

[moos blues]

wow. the results look good. cool stuff.




haha no worries.. it was just a by the way from the ikea topic. =)

[nyxx88]

cool... can you post more sample pix?

[DeadEnd]

surprisingly 2. Direct flash, pointed upwards looks better among the four as it does not have hash lighting on the crystal ball and shadows on the background

[coolsigg]

Originally Posted by DeadEnd surprisingly 2. Direct flash, pointed upwards looks better among the four as it does not have hash lighting on the crystal ball and shadows on the background

is it becos there is a ceiling to bounce the lights? imho, if the ceiling is too high or outdoors, LS or the ikea diffuser would be better.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by DeadEnd surprisingly 2. Direct flash, pointed upwards looks better among the four as it does not have hash lighting on the crystal ball and shadows on the background

It looks the most natural, yes, but take note that those are not human subjects. When you shoot humans, you'll end up with shadows in the recessed areas such as the eye sockets and below the nose.

What the diffuser does is catch a little of that light thrown up and throw it forward, so it fills up those recessed areas, and gives your subject's eyes a sparkle, also called a catchlight. This is why I always try to use fill flash when shooting casual photos for my friends too.

[ark19]

Originally Posted by nyxx88 cool... can you post more sample pix?

Will try to shoot n compare using humans...

Originally Posted by DeadEnd surprisingly 2. Direct flash, pointed upwards looks better among the four as it does not have hash lighting on the crystal ball and shadows on the background

Thanks for pointing that out, didn't realise that.

Originally Posted by coolsigg is it becos there is a ceiling to bounce the lights? imho, if the ceiling is too high or outdoors, LS or the ikea diffuser would be better.

I guess so, these were done in my living room.

Originally Posted by calebk It looks the most natural, yes, but take note that those are not human subjects. When you shoot humans, you'll end up with shadows in the recessed areas such as the eye sockets and below the nose. What the diffuser does is catch a little of that light thrown up and throw it forward, so it fills up those recessed areas, and gives your subject's eyes a sparkle, also called a catchlight. This is why I always try to use fill flash when shooting casual photos for my friends too.

Thanks Calebk.

Will try to shoot some humans to do better comparison.
Hope more ppl can try too $7.90 can do quite alot of diffusers
Cheers

[tommon]

even a piece of tissue paper becomes good diffusser. LOL. free too

[nyxx88]

tempting me to go ikea tomorrow :P

[nixontkl]

Cool DIY idea.

think that there is alot of snappers out there that either find that commercial diffuser like the LS is too bulky or too expensive, that drive them to be creative and DIY their own solution.

I DIY-ed my own diffuser + a bounce card, so far havent test it out on outdoor nite condition where there is no celling to bounce light.

[Panzer]

Cool!

I just realised I've a roll sitting in my pantry and was wondering what I should do with it. Now I can try this. Thanks.

[ark19]

Originally Posted by nyxx88 tempting me to go ikea tomorrow :P

Originally Posted by nixontkl Cool DIY idea. think that there is alot of snappers out there that either find that commercial diffuser like the LS is too bulky or too expensive, that drive them to be creative and DIY their own solution. I DIY-ed my own diffuser + a bounce card, so far havent test it out on outdoor nite condition where there is no celling to bounce light.

Thanks Nixontkl, saw ur diffuser + bounce card, cool idea
Only thing, is the hinge fragile?

Once I get some velcro, will be making another version with foamtastic as a backing

[ark19]

Originally Posted by Panzer Cool! I just realised I've a roll sitting in my pantry and was wondering what I should do with it. Now I can try this. Thanks.

Keke Happy modding

[Canew]

IMO, the IKEA diffuser serves its purpose.

[nixontkl]

Originally Posted by ark19 Thanks Nixontkl, saw ur diffuser + bounce card, cool idea Only thing, is the hinge fragile? Once I get some velcro, will be making another version with foamtastic as a backing

well so far so good, the hinge I re-enforce using triangle acrylic to increase the contact surface in between joints, can lift the whole flash up just by the bounce card. my 1st bounce card's joint area wasnt re-enforce with triangle acrylic and broke off when i accidently hit it while it was mounted.

[JacePhoto]

wah, thanks for sharing man! its a cool idea! Beats some of the desktop diffuser that is being sold in the stationery shop in funan.