Flash Glare

[TstebinsB]

I have the Sony DSC-V1 digital camera. It's a nice camera except in regards to the flash. The flash light does not spread out. By that, I mean that the flash works like a spotlight. Whenever I use the flash, all the light concentrates on one area of the subject. What am I doing wrong? I had the Sony DSC-S85 and it was never an issue.

[photoshaver]

i'm very surprised that you never had that issue with the other camera, lights that small tend to all be like spotlights

my suggestion would be to cut a whole the size of your lens in a piece of paper (the thinner the better, but you want it to be stiff at the same time-ie: tracing paper) put the lens thru the hole so the paper is just passed the edge of the lens.

try that :D

[JayKay]

I just use a well lit area and turn the flash off at this point. Taking pictures with a point and shoot digital of anything shiny just sucks.

[kongjie]

You might want to consider using a light box if you are going to photograph these kinds of objects.

Here are a couple of links to make your own:

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/200...to-studio.html

http://www.ourmedia.org/node/253481

[TstebinsB]

i'm very surprised that you never had that issue with the other camera, lights that small tend to all be like spotlights

my suggestion would be to cut a whole the size of your lens in a piece of paper (the thinner the better, but you want it to be stiff at the same time-ie: tracing paper) put the lens thru the hole so the paper is just passed the edge of the lens.

try that :D

The S85 was a little big so I went for the smaller V1. What a mistake!

You might want to consider using a light box if you are going to photograph these kinds of objects.

Here are a couple of links to make your own:

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/200...to-studio.html

http://www.ourmedia.org/node/253481

The second one looks really nice. I'm going to have to try that.

[kongjie]

@Telly: ha, never knew that was the Chinese for nunchuks!

[TstebinsB]

@Telly: ha, never knew that was the Chinese for nunchuks!

I'm not as good as I used to be but don't test me. I learned using heavy wooden nunchaku - not the plastic/rubber stuff. The wood was dense and you could cause some serious damage to yourself. It was like swinging a wooden baseball bat.

[thirdeye]

I started to mess around with a light box as well. It is pretty cool My issue is getting the white balance correct. Little by little I'll get it.
Check these shots out here.

[TstebinsB]

I started to mess around with a light box as well. It is pretty cool My issue is getting the white balance correct. Little by little I'll get it.
Check these shots out here.

Those are nice. I wonder if the white balance was an issue with the type of bulb used. One of the links kongjie sent recommended using white light bulbs instead of the conventional yellow.

[thirdeye]

Those are nice. I wonder if the white balance was an issue with the type of bulb used. One of the links kongjie sent recommended using white light bulbs instead of the conventional yellow.

I was given two 1000 watt light cannons used by the pros at my company that do all the photo shots there.

I haven't had much of a chance to talk with then since these shots but soon I hope.

Believe me, they are bright and clear. It's my camera.

[TstebinsB]

I was given two 1000 watt light cannons used by the pros at my company that do all the photo shots there.

I haven't had much of a chance to talk with then since these shots but soon I hope.

Believe me, they are bright and clear. It's my camera.

Oh okay. Well good luck but it doesn't look like you need it. You're well on your way.

[thirdeye]

Oh okay. Well good luck but it doesn't look like you need it. You're well on your way.

Telly, search light boxes, how to. I found a ton of do it yourself boxes for under 5.00

[Roman414]

An old problem. On-camera flash is hard to work with. You probably can't adjust it to bounce it off a ceiling, or diffuse it with a plastic milk bottle. A white handkerchief over the flashhead might diffuse it and soften it?

[thirdeye]

An old problem. On-camera flash is hard to work with. You probably can't adjust it to bounce it off a ceiling, or diffuse it with a plastic milk bottle. A white handkerchief over the flashhead might diffuse it and soften it?

A plastic milk bottle, hmmmm...I have heard of that before...Think I am going to try it now for ha ha's....

[TstebinsB]

An old problem. On-camera flash is hard to work with. You probably can't adjust it to bounce it off a ceiling, or diffuse it with a plastic milk bottle. A white handkerchief over the flashhead might diffuse it and soften it?

I've tried all types of white paper and fabrics - no dice.

[thirdeye]

Have you tried the defuser file that is on the market yet? I have yet to.

[TstebinsB]

Have you tried the defuser file that is on the market yet? I have yet to.

Not yet.

[thirdeye]

Not yet.

I am going to pick some up tomorrow. I'll post results.

[TstebinsB]

I am going to pick some up tomorrow. I'll post results.

Thanks.

[TstebinsB]

After making my light box, here's a pic of the same razor in my initial post. I used one desk lamp installed with a 20W yellow light bulb. I had to do some serious editing to make it presentable. It's still a little too blue/green. I'll get stronger, white bulbs later and try again.