How do you make your bounce card?


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Shin Howard

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Feb 18, 2008
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Dear fellow CSers,

I'm wondering how do you guys make your bounce card? Or do you simply buy it?
If you are DIYing the bounce card, what type of material will be suitable?
What size do you normally use/make for indoor shoots?
Is white color the best to reflect light? How do you attach it on the flash gun?

:think:
 

Google 'A better bounce card', and 'DIY bounce card'.]

Got tons of v good examples and instructions. ;)
 

Dear fellow CSers,

I'm wondering how do you guys make your bounce card? Or do you simply buy it?
If you are DIYing the bounce card, what type of material will be suitable?
What size do you normally use/make for indoor shoots?
Is white color the best to reflect light? How do you attach it on the flash gun?

:think:

1. By following instructions on line then improvising.
2. No.
3. Many, but I like foam.
4. As big as practical. My favorite is about A4 sized foam, folded into shape.
5. Yes. Unless you specifically looking for color cast.
6. Velcro.

A Better Bounce Card (google for it) has many fans. I made this one though:

http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/

Some more ideas:

http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html

Comparison:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1025&thread=26394856&page=1
 

I made one at work a few years ago, using CAD software to do some drafting.
After that was done, I got paid by my boss, then I used to money to buy a "demb". :D hohoho
But before that, had a bit of fun making origami and rubber-banding it to the flash and seeing the effect.
You can also sticky tape if you want, but rubber band is easy :D
 

1. By following instructions on line then improvising.
2. No.
3. Many, but I like foam.
4. As big as practical. My favorite is about A4 sized foam, folded into shape.
5. Yes. Unless you specifically looking for color cast.
6. Velcro.

A Better Bounce Card (google for it) has many fans. I made this one though:

http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/

Some more ideas:

http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html

Comparison:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1025&thread=26394856&page=1

Thanks Lennyl, the information was helpful~ Haha, i gotta go try & make 1 for my own. :bsmilie:
 

My own observation, i find that a grey surface bounce card actually produces nicer colour and skin tones, compare to white.

However, its not toooo big a difference la.

I don't have the pics with me now to show diff tho...
 

A Better Bounce Card is a good option, but I've since just resorted to the Lightsphere and Sto-fen. The trouble with a bounce card (at least for me) is I have to fumble with pulling it out from my bag, velcro-ing it on and making sure it doesn't fall off and embarrass myself, and that takes up precious time when shooting. I prefer a simple slap-on diffuser like the Sto-fen, or Lightsphere.

Hmm, what has making a bounce card have to do with Canon products? This is in the wrong area bro.
 

My own observation, i find that a grey surface bounce card actually produces nicer colour and skin tones, compare to white.

However, its not toooo big a difference la.

I don't have the pics with me now to show diff tho...
gray color is a neutral tone, of course is usable, but do note it reflect less light than white, your flash need to work harder to produce more light to get the same exposure compare to white bounce card.

if you are shooting TTL, you won't notice the difference, unless you shooting a subject are further away or smaller f stop, than you notice your flash is under power compare to using white bounce card.
 

Dear fellow CSers,

If you are DIYing the bounce card, what type of material will be suitable?

For DIY bounce cards, one material that you can try using is -- Semi-Glossy Photo paper. You can get relatively cheap ones like the Konica Semi-glossy photo paper quite easily. They're hardy enough, if you buy the 4"x6" photo paper, you may not even need to cut, just rubber-band it around the flash. The slightly glossy surface bounces the light forward pretty well.

Have fun!!
 

I use a 3x5 white plain card that is available from stationery shops. About a dollar for a stack of 50. The card is attached to the flash by a black rubber friendship band which was about 3 pcs for two dollars.
 

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