DIYPhotography.net

One of the things we are trying to deal here on DIYP is making ring lights without going into all the mess and (possible) danger that goes into wiring and sawing. Till now, we've were only half there with some IKEA based rigs that provided some nice bulb support, but we never made it all the way through to a really each hack.

Videographer Joel Loukus came up with the missing link. By using multiple Christmas lights around a wire frame he built The WreathLight. A Christmas Lights based ring light. (Dont miss out on the chi-ching sound, it really makes the light quality that much better). Click to continue ›

If you're an avid Strobist, you know that the Strobist community is all about off-camera flash. In fact your submitted images can be removed from the pool if you use an on camera flash (there are exceptions to anything, of course, but as a general thumb rule this is how it goes).

The only exception allowed is "FWIW, on-camera flash is fine if it is used to trigger other off-camera flashes", I assume that this exception was set in place for those who can not afford wireless triggers or only have one slave flash with an optical sensor.

This thing is that triggering a slave with an on board flash may impact the lighting of an image. even if you set the master to its lowest output three is some light coming from that flash.

Now, it is it fill you are after, this may actually be a conscious decision, but if you want no flash at all coming from on camera, there is a simple hack to make only optical sensors magically see the master's light burst. I call it The Dark Master. buehahahahahahHAHAHAHA! Click to continue ›

A few weeks back we shared a tutorial on how to convert your old film camera into a background projector (AKA Cookie Projector). Seems like this project grabbed a lot of attention, with one comment that kept coming back over and over: "Why Kill The Poor Camera?"

Even a reference from Strobist seems to hint that if one goes through the agonizing process of un-hinging the back of a camera, they should "use it for good".

Of course the initial intent was to use a camera that is unserviceable (as RC Hill did with the project we featured), yet, there had to be another way, a way that does not involve un-hinging or pliering the back of a camera. And indeed there is. (or actually Are, as there are two solutions found).*

(* no cameras were heart while making this post) Click to continue ›

Continuous Ring Lights are quite popular as the work both with video and stills. A while back we featured a hack to build a ring light out of on old IKEA lamp called Kvartil chandelier, wich eliminated the woodwork from the common ring light design. Sadly that chandelier has been discontinued for a very long time now.

Luckily, there is a replacement. Photographer Iñigo Alonso found a replacement chandelier, the IKEA Glänsa. While it may look cumbersome at first glance (or glansa) stripped from all the spikes it provides a great ring light base.

There is also a video describing both the build and  the wiring (ask for help if you are not familiar with getting zapped with live wires). The vid is in Italian Spanish, but can be pretty much watched on mute if you prefer to avoid the musical language. Click to continue ›

I know you love continuous light ring lights, both for stills and video, however, one of the most common responses is that it is too complex to build and the need for woodmanship.

Well, aside from providing paper furniture and raw beauty dishes, IKEA seems to have solved the ring light issues as well. With the (sadly discontinued) Kvartil Chandelier. Sadly IKEA, not realizing the product potential for photographers, has discontinued the product. The concept however is too good not to be featured in the hopes that IKEA or some other chandelier manufacturer will make it right.

If you got more photography IKEA hacks I would love to hear them, share in the comments. Click to continue ›

Here is a quick one, that I think has not been around the yet.

After using your strobe for a while, the plastic top will get oxidized a bit, maybe get some stains. You know, it just aint looking as it used to any more. The shine that your old relations used to have is gone.

Luckily there is a quick way to fix that. Using sulfuric acid toothpaste. It is an old trick used to clean beat up headlights, and it worked wonders for my strobe.

Here is how you do it in three quick steps. Click to continue ›

Photographer Paul Duncan put together a great instructional video explaining what those darn curtains are, and why they matter for flash photography.

This excellent video, uncomplex some of the more complex concepts of flash photography. It explains the illusive T0.5 and T0.1, the concept of flash and front/back curtain and how high speed sync works (pretty clever).

Kinda makes this whole curtain thing simple as a shower curtain.

and if you thought that the video is smart, check Paul's (Even Smarter) galley, and informative you tube channel. Click to continue ›

Looks like the four square is gaining popularity with off camera flash photographers. If you can shell the bucks for four strobes (only 268 for four YN460II) , why not get them all together for increased power / shorter recycle time.

We did have a dual flash bracket and a triple flash bracket, but this version of a four flash bracket (AKA four square) from an Electrical box and a few washers by Destin Danser is just too good to be ignored. Click to continue ›

I am not surprised that the YN460II strobe is gaining popularity with a price tag around $60 (or even less if you're an eBay kinda person) those flashes are pretty attractive.

They cheap price also make them a good candidate for modifications as it helps removing the fear of nuking them in the process. See for example the TV contorl remote for the YN460 we featured a while back.

Today's hack, courtesy Oliver Hanka, adds a mini jack (i.e. 3.5mm ear plug) to the flash syncing options. Hey if you can do it to a Canon strobe, you can do it to a Yongnuo. You'll need a solder, and a Yongnuo. Click to continue ›

A long while back I read a semi-theoretical post about using a room corner and a brolli as a full-fledged setup.

As a preparation for an on location job I decided to test that premise, and took a few head shots at my basement studio.This will add up to the butterfly one light setup I reviewed earlier.

Mind you that this little setup can be brought up in any place that features a corner, that is just about anywhere. Click to continue ›