How to make your own flash bounce cards

[gus]

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[gus]

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[saurora]

Pretty interesting, Gus. The "Rag" shop would be a paper distributor I imagine. My brother and his wife are in the printing business, I'll ask them this weekend when I see them if they know what it is. :D

[Angelo]

Gus - all you need is a piece of 1/4" foam like that used in seat cushions

Try a fabric / sewing shop or google "foam"

http://www.foambymail.com/Accessories.html#Dacron%20Wrap

[Dee]

Apparently the Rag Shop is only on the east coast of the U.S.
http://www.ragshop.com/index_flash.cfm

I have no idea what he means by the foamy sheet. I wonder if JoAnne Fabrics has something like this. It's difficult to locate this material if one doesn't know the proper name of it.

Gus... I was laughing and SO happy to watch the video, because I accidently stumbled on turning my flash to point directly behind me and getting a wonderful result... so I didn't invent it after all! :rofl :rofl :rofl

It was so much easier watching the video to understand the concept. Our local office supply stores sometimes have those large super thick rubber bands. I'll have to pick up a few.

[saurora]

Apparently the Rag Shop is only on the east coast of the U.S.
http://www.ragshop.com/index_flash.cfm

I have no idea what he means by the foamy sheet. I wonder if JoAnne Fabrics has something like this. It's difficult to locate this material if one doesn't know the proper name of it.


That's a good possibility, Dee. Looks like a good Arts & Crafts supply place or even a Teacher's Supply store would be a good possibility. I have seen that stuff somewhere in colors, I know. :rolleyes

[Dee]

That's a good possibility, Dee. Looks like a good Arts & Crafts supply place or even a Teacher's Supply store would be a good possibility. I have seen that stuff somewhere in colors, I know. :rolleyes

I just thought of something. I have some thin foamy stuff that comes in boxes used as packing material. That would probably work just fine. Still don't know the name of the stuff! :D

[ziggy53]

There is a commercial product called, "Foamies" and my local "Super W**Mart" has them in the fabrics/crafts section.

There are a number of online sources as well:

http://www.craftamerica.com/foamies.htm
http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/ (search for the name Foamies white)
http://www.craftdepot.co.uk/contents.cfm?maincat=23

ziggy53

[StevenV]

and in some parts of the country, Michael's (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0052) craft store.

it's great idea, thanks for pointing this out. I knew there had to be something better than the 3x5 card but not as expensive as the molded-plastic widgets.

[wxwax]

and in some parts of the country, Michael's (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0052) craft store.

it's great idea, thanks for pointing this out. I knew there had to be something better than the 3x5 card but not as expensive as the molded-plastic widgets.
:thumb Gus, you want me to throw some in?

[Skippy]

Im always making stuff myself...most fail but i saw this guy & really liked what he did...hope you find it usefull also (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNCmuExlHvM).

What i need to know guys is what is the material he mentions...the foam stuff he gets from the 'Rag' shop ?

What an excellent find Gus :clap :clap
I watched the video with great interest, and I'd like to know what that foam paper is that he speaks of too :D

... thanks for sharing ... Skippy (Australia)

[Skippy]

I just thought of something. I have some thin foamy stuff that comes in boxes used as packing material. That would probably work just fine. Still don't know the name of the stuff! :D

Ithink I know what you mean Dee, I have one large sheet of that stuff, it was inside a packing box, I will try that out and see if that bends, thanks for the tip :thumb ....... Skippy (Australia)

[greenpea]

Im always making stuff myself...most fail but i saw this guy & really liked what he did...hope you find it usefull also (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNCmuExlHvM).

What i need to know guys is what is the material he mentions...the foam stuff he gets from the 'Rag' shop ?

Wow! Thanks gus! :clap

I actually been looking for something like this.

[Dee]

Ithink I know what you mean Dee, I have one large sheet of that stuff, it was inside a packing box, I will try that out and see if that bends, thanks for the tip :thumb ....... Skippy (Australia)

I'm pretty sure mine bends.... it's just to "find" the darn thing. I'm not sure if it's still in a box or in the recycle area...

[gus]

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[wxwax]

Absolutely :thumb
Roger that. There's a Michaels down the street from me, they have the foamie in white.

[ExposeTheMoment]

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

[gus]

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[ExposeTheMoment]

err...did you happen to look at the link in the first post that the thread is all about per chance ????

I'm at work, and the fire wall did not allow me to look. So I posted the actual URL that I knew.
Also non of the links posted above link to
http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

[gus]

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[ExposeTheMoment]

Well its the same video just on youtube... to bring you up to speed here...not everything needs to have the same url. Sometime things can be on the net in several places.

Yea I know that, Im not stupid, but hey why not actual post the guys url and give him some credit. So what if its all over the net, So what if the video is copied on youtube. As I said, I'm at work, and unable to view those sites, I did not see a reference to Peters website, so I posted the real url.

I will get off my :soapbox now, have a good nite.

[gus]

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[gus]

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[Skippy]

The youtube site clearly shows displays his name beside the video.


I made it :D and I am thrilled with the results Gus.

Couldn't find an elastic band that wide, so I just got a balloon and cut the ends off and just kept the middle as that's the widest part of the balloon, and it fits just nicely :D

I posted the sample here... it is simple to make and dirt cheap too :clap
...... Skippy (Australia)

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=47447

[Awais Yaqub]

:rolleyeswell i have not seen video
Post picture of that material ! :clap

[gus]

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[pathfinder]

I found them at Hobby Lobby in Terre Haute - called EV FOAM sheets. They can be found in 2mm and 3mm thickness.

8x11 2mm thickness was 79 cents. I bought several white and magenta sheets.

Think of the possiblity of using colored foam sheets to bounce the fill light with also....

[anwmn1]

I found the materials at Wal-mart called Foamies 9" x 12" were only $0.33 each!
Black Thread $1.00
Package of Needles $0.74
36" piece of 3/4" black elastic $0.81
3 Sheets of 9" x12" Foamies $0.99

Total investment $3.44 !!:ivar

I made two out of one sheet and made a larger one out of another sheet. Still have one sheet untouched.


Think of the possiblity of using colored foam sheets to bounce the fill light with also....

I like this idea. I might have to go purchase some colored ones, I think I can afford it! :rofl

[photogmomma]

Couldn't find an elastic band that wide, so I just got a balloon and cut the ends off and just kept the middle as that's the widest part of the balloon, and it fits just nicely :D

Awesome idea! And you can use different colors to signify your mood! :rolleyes

LOL! (J/J)

Thanks for the great idea, though! Off to find that foam I have lying around. (Got it in the crafts section of Walmart a long time ago.)

[GraphyFotoz]

AC Moore sells this stuff!
It's called Foamtastic 9"x12" $.49 a sheet.
Had some around for my Fly Tying.
Gonna try it tonite at my Son's swim meet!! :thumb

Thanx for the valuable info Gus!

If there is something your full of it's info! :D
I'm sure you've been told other wise. :lol3

[imax]

The youtube site clearly shows displays his name beside the video.

At least you guys get to see it. Each time I hgo to view it gets 8 seconds in and BAM it dies and asks me if I want to watch it again. Anyone have instructions? Is it similar to this or identical?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisgcom/271222003/

Thanks for the replies...........


Joe

[JESTER]

Instead of running around everywhere I just ordered a couple from Peter. He gets them to you very fast. Besides, you get the rubber bands he is talking about instead of using something cheesy.

I have tried them several times and this works great.

[ziggy53]

At least you guys get to see it. Each time I hgo to view it gets 8 seconds in and BAM it dies and asks me if I want to watch it again. Anyone have instructions? Is it similar to this or identical?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisgcom/271222003/

Thanks for the replies...........


Joe

Joe,

The one on Flickr is more like the Lumiquest Pocket type. The one Gus points to is more similar to something with less wrapping and so it uses more bounce. Neither is perfect for all occasions.

For some more DIY ideas:
http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html
http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3
http://dslrblog.com/blog/chris-garrett/how-to-make-a-diy-flash-bounce-diffuser
http://swannman.wordpress.com/2006/05/29/howto-diy-flash-diffuser/
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=20569481
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=18497665

ziggy53

[ivar]

Did any of the dutchies around here find the foam stuff yet?

[kygarden]

I had been using a regular paper version of this but today I finally stopped and paid $.79 (each) for 2 sheets of this stuff. Much better than using paper. The nice thing about using the bounce card like that guy describes is that it works well in portrait orientation as well. This little add-on does a really good job! Now I just need to get a nice rubber band. That yellowish colored one looked crappy.

http://nikon-photog.smugmug.com/photos/117784313-L.jpg

http://nikon-photog.smugmug.com/photos/117784295-L.jpg

http://nikon-photog.smugmug.com/photos/118002386-L.jpg

[El Kiwi]

Huge bumpage.

Has anyone in NYC found a store which sells the foam sheets? Most of the sources mentioned have their closest store in Jersey, or further. I could order online but I'd like to pick some up in the next day or two, if possible.

[ivar]

Huge bumpage.

Has anyone in NYC found a store which sells the foam sheets? Most of the sources mentioned have their closest store in Jersey, or further. I could order online but I'd like to pick some up in the next day or two, if possible.And I'm still looking for this stuff as well; I know I'm not the only dutchie around here :D

[pathfinder]

I found it at Wal-Mart in Indiana.

Just ask for Foamies - the help found it right away for me. Comes in a rainbow array of colors.

[wxwax]

I found the stuff at "Michael's."

[Rhuarc]

Just found this link, thanks!!! Since I don't have a flash unit yet I'm going to use this foam material for making a diffuser for the onboard flash of my XTi. I've seen some places that sell diffusers for onboard flash, but this should do nicely. Thanks!!

[pathfinder]

Rhuarc,

I am not sure the Foamies will make a very good diffuser, as it is opaque to look at - it is a good reflective surface, but an opaque white material. Just a thought....

[Rhuarc]

Hmm, ok, I'll have to take a look at Michaels craft store and see what they have. http://www.lumiquest.com/softscreen.htm This is what I am trying to duplicate. Thanks PF!

[Scott_Quier]

Hmm, ok, I'll have to take a look at Michaels craft store and see what they have. http://www.lumiquest.com/softscreen.htm This is what I am trying to duplicate. Thanks PF!Cut up a milk jug, carefully apply some dark duct tape, and a small tab of velcro to the DIY and velcro mate to the top of the pop-up flash, and you're done. If you take some time, I believe you can develop a decent looking product.

[Rhuarc]

Hmm, thanks for the idea. I'll have to give this a shot when my camera (hopefuly) arrives today. What do you mean by DIY? I assuming you mean to cut a slit into one end of the peice like the Soft Screen, then use velcro to fasten the peice to the top of the flash?

[Scott_Quier]

to the DIY

This is "to the Do It Yourself project" where "project" is "understood".

[dchris]

[First post ever!]

I've made several of these bounce cards in different sizes with foam. I use adhesive velcro which is also available at craft stores. I stick the fuzzy side of the velcro on the flash and the other "sticky" side of the velcro on the bounce card. I find this makes it quicker to get it on and off.

I've also made a larger foam diffuser for direct flash use. Instructions are on Chuck Gardner's website here:

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

This works well when you can't bounce the flash (dark ceilings, outside). It gets the light source higher above the lens and increases the area of the light to soften and lower the shadows. Since I have velcro on this one too, it makes it easy to switch between the different types.

-Chris