Gary Fong has made quite a business out of producing on-camera and off-camera flash modifiers. He has a small modifier for built-in, pop-up flashes as well. Though a bit pricey for what they are, I was thinking I might get one for my Olympus PEN E-PL3 removable flash, but I'm unable to find one for my model, the PL3. In the previous model of this camera line (the PL2), the camera had a top mounted pop-up flash to the left of the center of the camera. It also had a hot shoe and it was by using that hot shoe that Fong attached his "Puffer" that softens the light from the little flash.
Well, since I can control the power output from the snap-on flash for my Olympus PEN E-PL3, I like the idea of being able to use this little guy now and then. But only if I can modify, i.e., diffuse, the light. And, to do that, I need some type of puffer-like addition for the flash. I know I can cover the flash with a tissue or some other translucent material, but I would like something that is more effective. I have been thinking of this solution for both my Canon 60D's pop-up and the external 580EX II flash when in the 60D's hot shoe. And the solution is to attach some aluminum foil onto the flash into which the light flashes and is reflected back to a white attachment which, in turn, bounces the light - now bigger and, therefore, softer - onto the subject in front of the camera.
OK, so I have not done anything for my 60D but I have made a simple prototype model of a potential solution that I can use with the Olympus PEN E-PL3. I bent a jumbo paperclip that will fit into space at base of the PL3's attached flash. The paperclip bends up in front of the flash head and is covered with a small piece of aluminum foil. This reflects light back onto a small piece of white paper taped to the back of the flash head. Simplistic for sure, but it does work! Naturally, these pieces are not solid final solutions, but rather a basis for developing one. Now, I just need to figure out how to produce a more substantial and workable product from this prototype!
I will be offering a morning session of my "iPhone Photography" and a morning and evening session of my "On-Camera Flash: Using an External Flash on Your Camera" classes in January/February and March/April in Lynchburg. In addition to these classes I am also available to do one-on-one tutoring or small group lessons designed to meet YOUR needs and what you want to learn in the area of photography, using flashes, or the use of Apple products and software. Give yourself the gift of learning: http://www.infotor.com/photoclasses! Check out the holiday discount for my tutoring bundle: http://www.infotor.com/photoclasses/tutoringbundle.php as well.