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Nikon D40 + iPod Touch Flash Trick

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Christopher S Penn
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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.

Nikon + iPod trick

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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Comments

29 responses to “Nikon D40 + iPod Touch Flash Trick”

  1. Brian polensky Avatar
    Brian polensky

    Why won’t it work with an iPhone?

    Reply
  2. Brian polensky Avatar
    Brian polensky

    Why won’t it work with an iPhone?

    Reply
  3. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    Christopher S. Penn

    iPhones have a dark translucent grey back, as opposed to the mirrored finish of iPods.

    Reply
  4. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    Christopher S. Penn

    iPhones have a dark translucent grey back, as opposed to the mirrored finish of iPods.

    Reply
  5. PhotoTalking » Archive » Flash Hack

    […] Nikon D40 + iPod Touch Flash Trick 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. […]

    Reply
  6. Marko Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  7. Marko Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  8. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    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 🙂

    Reply
  9. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    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 🙂

    Reply
  10. Daryl Tay Avatar
    Daryl Tay

    Brilliant! Definitely will keep this in mind in future!

    Reply
  11. Daryl Tay Avatar
    Daryl Tay

    Brilliant! Definitely will keep this in mind in future!

    Reply
  12. Erik Carlsson Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  13. Erik Carlsson Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  14. John Avatar
    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

    Reply
  15. John Avatar
    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

    Reply
  16. Bob Marton Avatar
    Bob Marton

    Man ! Great Choice for DC ! Nikon The Best ! my reasons :
    1. Excellent photo quality
    2. Price 😉
    3. Customizable menus and button

    Reply
  17. Bob Marton Avatar
    Bob Marton

    Man ! Great Choice for DC ! Nikon The Best ! my reasons :
    1. Excellent photo quality
    2. Price 😉
    3. Customizable menus and button

    Reply
  18. Michael Avatar
    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 😉

    Reply
  19. Michael Avatar
    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 😉

    Reply
  20. Don Avatar
    Don

    Using what you have available in the field can produce interesting results. Very unique technique! Might try defused lighting as well…

    Reply
  21. Don Avatar
    Don

    Using what you have available in the field can produce interesting results. Very unique technique! Might try defused lighting as well…

    Reply
  22. Remington Phillips Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  23. Remington Phillips Avatar
    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.

    Reply
  24. amer Avatar
    amer

    haha never thought of this one.

    Reply
  25. amer Avatar
    amer

    haha never thought of this one.

    Reply
  26. amer Avatar
    amer

    haha never thought of this one.

    Reply
  27. amer Avatar
    amer

    haha never thought of this one.

    Reply
  28. amer Avatar
    amer

    haha never thought of this one.

    Reply
  29. rob Avatar
    rob

    You can also use a cigerette paper and an elastic band

    creativeblob.com

    Reply

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