Comments on: 7 Strategies for Avoiding Flash Blow Out http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:32:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ruth Fix http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-203401 Ruth Fix Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:12:26 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-203401 HELP. Is there any way to fix a blown out photo in Photoshop Elements 9? HELP. Is there any way to fix a blown out photo in Photoshop Elements 9?

]]> By: Michelle True http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-153752 Michelle True Sat, 29 Jan 2011 04:47:56 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-153752 @tessa- That sounds like a great idea, wonder if my family would think I took up smoking? haha @simon I really like the idea of the white light from the computer screen when you open a new document. I may give that a try! Also, I am sure I have either a coffee filter or a pringles can lid around here most of the time. But the tip on watching for tissue type diffusers to burn is good to know! @tessa- That sounds like a great idea, wonder if my family would think I took up smoking? haha
@simon I really like the idea of the white light from the computer screen when you open a new document. I may give that a try!
Also, I am sure I have either a coffee filter or a pringles can lid around here most of the time. But the tip on watching for tissue type diffusers to burn is good to know!

]]> By: CharlieJ http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-149117 CharlieJ Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:43:16 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-149117 I didn't see this tip for a diffuser, but it works quite well -- <i>even if it looks a bit humorous</i>. Recently, I was shooting a high school basketball game... and had forgotten to pack a real diffuser. So, I grabbed a <b>styrofoam takeout tray</b> and cut the bottom out of it; taped the bottom of the tray to the top of my flash and point the flash at the ceiling. The diffused light was perfect to light the players, without blinding them. The result was nice, white light, too. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diffuser-Olympus--Camera-Flashes-Cowboystudio/dp/B0040HYMI0/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1293806486&sr=8-13" rel="nofollow">These little gems</a> also come in handy with pop-up flash on a DSLR. For less than $20, you can't go wrong. I didn’t see this tip for a diffuser, but it works quite well — even if it looks a bit humorous. Recently, I was shooting a high school basketball game… and had forgotten to pack a real diffuser. So, I grabbed a styrofoam takeout tray and cut the bottom out of it; taped the bottom of the tray to the top of my flash and point the flash at the ceiling. The diffused light was perfect to light the players, without blinding them. The result was nice, white light, too.

These little gems also come in handy with pop-up flash on a DSLR. For less than $20, you can’t go wrong.

]]> By: John Parkett http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-148964 John Parkett Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:58:15 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-148964 For pop up flash work indoors, I use a little reflective card called a Zeh Bounce, which I found on B&H. It works like a typical reflector to bounce off wall and ceilings. I have had much luck with this method and it's flat so it fits into a pocket. Works better than the translucent diffusers indoors, but for outdoor use to help soften, I have a Gary fong puffer, though it is harsher light on indoor shots. The zeh bounce is less than half what I paid for a gary fong puffer. And for indoor shots I have been very happy. Mainly use it for family events at peoples homes. Starts to be come less effective when ceilings are higher than 12'. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=zeh&N=0&InitialSearch=yes?BI=6813&KW=&KBID=7366&img=bh-logo-125x86.gif I think they have their own site. For pop up flash work indoors, I use a little reflective card called a Zeh Bounce, which I found on B&H. It works like a typical reflector to bounce off wall and ceilings. I have had much luck with this method and it’s flat so it fits into a pocket. Works better than the translucent diffusers indoors, but for outdoor use to help soften, I have a Gary fong puffer, though it is harsher light on indoor shots. The zeh bounce is less than half what I paid for a gary fong puffer. And for indoor shots I have been very happy. Mainly use it for family events at peoples homes. Starts to be come less effective when ceilings are higher than 12′.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=zeh&N=0&InitialSearch=yes?BI=6813&KW=&KBID=7366&img=bh-logo-125×86.gif

I think they have their own site.

]]> By: Barb http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-134053 Barb Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:46:49 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-134053 In the first few photo examples shown, it would seem to me that using MACRO mode would help tremendously. Not only would the focus then be correct for your close ups, but the power of your flash would automatically adjust for closer subjects and would fix the blown-out issue. For those who are not used to using it, it's the mode represented by the flower symbol. Happy shooting, everyone! In the first few photo examples shown, it would seem to me that using MACRO mode would help tremendously. Not only would the focus then be correct for your close ups, but the power of your flash would automatically adjust for closer subjects and would fix the blown-out issue. For those who are not used to using it, it’s the mode represented by the flower symbol. Happy shooting, everyone!

]]> By: Memphis Wedding Photographers http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-111145 Memphis Wedding Photographers Fri, 21 May 2010 00:24:46 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-111145 Nice article. I've found that bouncing my flash is a great way to improve lighting and eliminate unsightly blowouts on in my wedding photographs. I rarely hit someone with flash head-on unless I'm trying to over power the sun. Nice article. I’ve found that bouncing my flash is a great way to improve lighting and eliminate unsightly blowouts on in my wedding photographs. I rarely hit someone with flash head-on unless I’m trying to over power the sun.

]]> By: Joe Marfice http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-88715 Joe Marfice Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:38:03 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-88715 <i>"Isn’t the point of an auto P&S camera that you can easily take photos withour resorting to tissues obver the flash?" "I’ve got 3 p&s cameras and they all overexpose with flash. Isn’t it about time camera manufacturers got this right?"</i> <b>bikeman</b>, blaming the tool isn't productive. Learn its limitations and strengths, and learn to work with them. "Getting this right" is much, much more complicated than you realize. If it wasn't, someone would have solved it by now, and raked in the $$$, eliminating the competition in the process. “Isn’t the point of an auto P&S camera that you can easily take photos withour resorting to tissues obver the flash?”

“I’ve got 3 p&s cameras and they all overexpose with flash. Isn’t it about time camera manufacturers got this right?”

bikeman, blaming the tool isn’t productive. Learn its limitations and strengths, and learn to work with them.

“Getting this right” is much, much more complicated than you realize. If it wasn’t, someone would have solved it by now, and raked in the $$$, eliminating the competition in the process.

]]> By: tessa http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-39532 tessa Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:21:40 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-39532 One thing I have found that imo is an awesome was 2 diffuse the flash is tobacco rolling papers. They come in lots os shapes and thickness (providing more or less diffusing) and are suuuuper small so can easily carry around several packs without taking up any extra space. With tissue paper it tends to be a tad bulkier and too big. Its perferct to just stick an itty bitty piece of tape to one paper and attatch 2 top of flash so you can pull it fown over the flash or lift it back up if needed. One thing I have found that imo is an awesome was 2 diffuse the flash is tobacco rolling papers. They come in lots os shapes and thickness (providing more or less diffusing) and are suuuuper small so can easily carry around several packs without taking up any extra space. With tissue paper it tends to be a tad bulkier and too big.

Its perferct to just stick an itty bitty piece of tape to one paper and attatch 2 top of flash so you can pull it fown over the flash or lift it back up if needed.

]]> By: Melissa Rodwell http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-35237 Melissa Rodwell Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:05:59 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-35237 I really enjoyed this post, it has alot to do with subtracting light, which I discuss in detail here: http://fashionphotographyblog.com/2008/09/dancing-in-the-dark-subtracting-light/ I really enjoyed this post, it has alot to do with subtracting light, which I discuss in detail here: http://fashionphotographyblog.com/2008/09/dancing-in-the-dark-subtracting-light/

]]> By: Henry_Pet http://www.digital-photography-school.com/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/comment-page-1#comment-32978 Henry_Pet Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:26:40 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/7-strategies-for-avoiding-flash-blow-out/#comment-32978 I got inspired and taped a piece of aluminum foil to a business card. It's crinkly which probably helps diffuse the light more. Then I hold it up in front of the flash, pointing at the ceiling when I take the picture. Sometimes it works and sometimes I get bright patches or stripes. But I'm sure the idea is sound. I got inspired and taped a piece of aluminum foil to a business card. It’s crinkly which probably helps diffuse the light more. Then I hold it up in front of the flash, pointing at the ceiling when I take the picture. Sometimes it works and sometimes I get bright patches or stripes. But I’m sure the idea is sound.

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