Home » Photography » Nikon D40 + iPod Touch Flash Trick

Nikon D40 + iPod Touch Flash Trick

Posted by Christopher S Penn on Jan 24, 2008 in Photography | 28 comments

Occasionally I find myself in environments where I’d like to use the flash because it’s dark, but either I’m so close that the flash will wash out everything, or it’ll give the photo that “frat party photo” feel, neither of which is usually what I’m aiming for. I’ve got a speed flash that can be angled, but I don’t carry it everywhere I go, because at some point I start to look like I need a sherpa. Here’s a fun trick that works almost as well as a real angled flash.

Take your iPod touch or other iPod out (this won’t work with an iPhone). Turn it around so the mirrored back is facing the flash. Now hold it right in front of the flash at a 45 degree angle and you’ll bounce the flash off the ceiling. Bang! Instant flash reflector, and chances are I’m more likely to have my iPod with me than the speed flash.

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http://www.brianpolensky.com Brian polensky

Why won’t it work with an iPhone?
http://www.brianpolensky.com Brian polensky

Why won’t it work with an iPhone?
http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

iPhones have a dark translucent grey back, as opposed to the mirrored finish of iPods.
http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

iPhones have a dark translucent grey back, as opposed to the mirrored finish of iPods.
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http://www.photography.ca Marko

GREAT emergency tip there Chris.
One caveat that I would suggest is that you probably can’t be too far from the subject since those small on camera flashes aren’t very strong and the bounce will probably eat a stop or more of light.
http://www.photography.ca Marko

GREAT emergency tip there Chris.
One caveat that I would suggest is that you probably can’t be too far from the subject since those small on camera flashes aren’t very strong and the bounce will probably eat a stop or more of light.
http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

Definitely true, Marko – and if you’re in a room that has a colored ceiling, your pictures will get that tint, too. But in a pinch, it works
http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

Definitely true, Marko – and if you’re in a room that has a colored ceiling, your pictures will get that tint, too. But in a pinch, it works
http://uniquefrequency.wordpress.com Daryl Tay

Brilliant! Definitely will keep this in mind in future!
http://uniquefrequency.wordpress.com Daryl Tay

Brilliant! Definitely will keep this in mind in future!
Erik Carlsson

You can also use a simple piece of white card stock. The back of a business card will do a in a pinch.

If you have notebook paper you can make a “bubble” over the flash which will only allow some of the light through. Kind of a ghetto light box.
Erik Carlsson

You can also use a simple piece of white card stock. The back of a business card will do a in a pinch.

If you have notebook paper you can make a “bubble” over the flash which will only allow some of the light through. Kind of a ghetto light box.
http://www.ygloo.ca John

This is something interesting. I never think that an iPOD can be so useful in photography. The ideea is this: when the flash is lighting the surface of iPOD reflect the light and the area will be more shiny…
Canada Photo Blog
http://www.ygloo.ca John

This is something interesting. I never think that an iPOD can be so useful in photography. The ideea is this: when the flash is lighting the surface of iPOD reflect the light and the area will be more shiny…
Canada Photo Blog
http://reteri.com/ Bob Marton

Man ! Great Choice for DC ! Nikon The Best ! my reasons :
1. Excellent photo quality
2. Price
3. Customizable menus and button
http://reteri.com/ Bob Marton

Man ! Great Choice for DC ! Nikon The Best ! my reasons :
1. Excellent photo quality
2. Price
3. Customizable menus and button
http://ipod-touch-case.blogspot.com Michael

Wow.. what a creative idea… the only thing is I will need to take off my iPod touch case every time I want to use it this way.. Great idea though
http://ipod-touch-case.blogspot.com Michael

Wow.. what a creative idea… the only thing is I will need to take off my iPod touch case every time I want to use it this way.. Great idea though
http://www.anchorpointdesignsd.com Don

Using what you have available in the field can produce interesting results. Very unique technique! Might try defused lighting as well…
http://www.anchorpointdesignsd.com Don

Using what you have available in the field can produce interesting results. Very unique technique! Might try defused lighting as well…
http://www.remingtonphillips.com Remington Phillips

I will give this a try. It seems like it’s a bulky method in comparison to using an index card, but it’d be interesting to see if the mirrored back provides a different ambiance than simple white stock.
http://www.remingtonphillips.com Remington Phillips

I will give this a try. It seems like it’s a bulky method in comparison to using an index card, but it’d be interesting to see if the mirrored back provides a different ambiance than simple white stock.
http://monsterscube.com amer

haha never thought of this one.
http://monsterscube.com amer

haha never thought of this one.
http://monsterscube.com amer

haha never thought of this one.
http://monsterscube.com amer

haha never thought of this one.
http://monsterscube.com amer

haha never thought of this one.
rob

You can also use a cigerette paper and an elastic band

creativeblob.com