1 cent Diffuser

[joshhuntnm]

it is not as good as an umbrella, but cheap, easy, better than direct flash, and, I think, better than bouncing of the ceiling alone--which tends to put shadows under the eyes. Try it for yourself around the tree this Christmas

http://joshhunt.smugmug.com/photos/235586859-M.jpg

http://joshhunt.smugmug.com/photos/235587013-M-0.jpg

[DJTHEMAC]

Thats pretty similar to the set up i use. I got the plans from
www.abetterbouncecard.com
I have it set up so my flash is sideways when i shoot landscape orientation photos. The diffuser still expands and throws the light forward, and it allows me to turn the flash so that it is still oriented up when i shoot in portrait mode.

Overall a good idea for better lighting!

[Scott_Quier]

This, absolutely, a wonderful technique. I've spent more than $150 looking for a decent light modifier. Stumbled across the Better Bounce Card some time ago and that's all I use when I use my 580EX on camera.

As I understand it (and I'm sure Ziggy will either confirm or refute my statement :D), this is a trick that's been around since newspaper photos were using potato mashers with 4x5 film cameras (or what ever size it was way back then - well before my time fur sure, dude).

But, it works a real treat!

[schmoo]

I'm putting this in Technique! :thumb

[CookieS]

Sometimes a white plastic shopping bag tied to the flash helps too :)