No, I’m not talking about the way your significant other looks at you when have an opposing view on football or music. I’m talking about that wicked glare that is often produced when you take indoor photos with a flash. So here’s a Monday photo tip — and your assignment is to try it out before next Monday and let me know your results.
When I post photos here, often times I use layers that enhance the image or simply make it have a different ‘look and feel’ than the way it was originally shot. Not the case this time. The photos you’re about to see in this post have not been retouched in any way.
This photo was taken with a digital camera and flash (and the most well-behaved subject) — just a normal shot with the camera’s flash bar. It’s pretty easy to see how the harsh light ‘washes out’ detail.
This next photo was taken at the same angle, but with a diffuser for the flash bar. The colors are rich, the detail is back and the softness simply makes for a better photo.
Now before you rush out to buy a flash diffuser, or start your big Google search on where you can order one, let me share a secret. You can use about anything and get the same effect!
Yup, the photo on the left is the diffuser that I used — nothing more than the lid from a pack of staples. I’ve been known to use a gum wrapper or even a piece of toilet paper to diffuse flash glare — so no excuses! Give it a try…