Don't you wish that I had said something cuter in the post title like "tute" cause "abreves" are "totes" cool right now? You are following the wrong blog if that is the case.
Yes, yes, every once in a while I will break out my cutesy talk but that usually happens when I am trying to get something from Brian ( innocently of course ). In my long sabbatical of no photos this year, my external flash battery died. "Not a problem" you say? Totes a problem. (hehe just kidding) I do not know where my charger for this thing is. And it wasn't even the correct flash for the camera I have. I need to suck it up and buy a new one. "WHHHAAATTT??!!!" say you...I know, right?! Because I HATE flash more than life itself. Its ugly and fake and natural light is so much more beautiful and soft and perfect. So flash can die and I avoid it like the plague. However....there are rare occasions when it is needed. But when those times come, I usually end up not even taking a picture, that's how much I hate it :) Sorry flash, no offense but you're ugly. But I digress...
Well I thought I would share a little "secret" if you will for those of you who have been stricken with the perils of not owning such external flash, or your flash has flashed its last flash. What is my secret pray tell?
INDEX CARDS.
(I use two stacked together)
Used in the following way:
(You will need to cut slits in the card so that it stays attached to the camera, you will see the thin metal pieces that it needs to fit into)
"Peas and carrots, peas and carrots, whisper whisper, what did she say?"
Yes my friends. And it is very simple.
Now I should warn you that this method will only work with a DSLR style camera so if you have a point and shoot, I do not know of such methods to help with the crappy flash, but I may research and find out for you.
"Stop talking!!"
"Show us some pictures!!"
Well, ok!
Below is a photo taken with direct flash:
EEEWWWW gross! See all the nasty shadows and harsh light?
"But Kristyn, don't we want mood and shadows in our photos" NOT like that, I say!
Well here we have a subtle change using our index card bounce flash method:
See how much gentler and softer the lighting is? SO much better! Probably should have taken the lighter out of the photos. By the way, do you LOVE my ginger jar? After finding the last one in existence at TJ Maxx and graciously offering it to my Mama who desperately wanted one as well, I searched high and low for another (both here in VA and NC, my sweet sister-in-law has even been on the hunt for one). All that to say, my mom gave me hers and it happily sits in my foyer. However, Z Gallerie has one for sale in their store for $100. Oh, you don't want to spend $100 on an urn? Me neither.
Here's another angle:
Boo!
And with the index card bounce flash:
Yay!!
See? Easy-cheesy! And you too will be taking beautiful photos with stupid flash :-)
Any questions? Just leave them in the comments.
And here is an artsy photo for those of you who have the munchies.
