Lightsphere: You should have one!

You’ve heard me mention the Lightsphere several times as a fantastic tool for diffusing the light from your external flash, and I’ve said once or twice (or more) that I’d tell you more about it.

Well, it’s time.

I don’t remember where I first read about the Lightsphere.

I just know that like many, I’ve had problems with my external flash being too bright, or too direct.  I don’t have those problems any more – at least as long as I don’t forget my Lightsphere.

The Lightsphere is a creation of a gentleman by the name of Gary Fong.  Gary’s website includes tutorials on lighting and cameras, as well as his broad line of lighting products and accessories.

By the way – I don’t know Gary Fong, I’ve never met Gary Fong, and I’m not getting anything for plugging this product.  I have a Lightsphere.  I use my Lightsphere.  I like my Lightsphere so much that I think it’s worthy of sharing with you to help you improve your own photographs.

I have the Lightsphere Universal, Cloud.  This produces warmer images than a regular flash, and diffuses and softens the light.  I thought about some other descriptive adjectives and words to throw at you to fill space, but I think you get the point.

gary fong lightsphereExcept when I forget it, I never use my flash without it.

If you have an external flash, and have problems with hot spots and uneven lighting – the Frog recommends you check out the Lightsphere and decide whether or not having some strange looking hunk of flexible plastic/acrylic in your camera bag that you have to explain to people is in your future…

Washed out flash photos? Here’s a fix!

Using an on-camera flash and having problems with the results?

Some areas washed out because of too much light, and other areas not evenly lit?

Maybe you need a flash diffuser?!

Well, you probably do – but you may not have known there was a solution until now!

The Frog uses a Lightsphere by Gary Fong.  You can check it out here.

This is just one example of a diffuser – there are many different types from several manufacturers.  Some look strange, some look stranger, but they do work!

Simply put – these attachments break up and diffuse the light from your flash and spread the light out more evenly throughout your subject area.

You could probably try a plastic milk bottle on your flash, but you’d look kinda funny and because it’s engineered to hold milk and not diffuse light, you might save a few bucks but really not solve your problem.  Treat yourself and get a diffuser…

There are three shopping days left before you have to play family photographer.

Stop by your local camera shop so you can shoot like a pro (or at least look like one and impress your friends and family this holiday season)!