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Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos

 

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos pringles

Flickr user Steve Kushnir came up with this neat idea of building a cheap DIY diffuser using a Pringles can, two layers of paper towels, and some rubber bands. He attached it to his Nikon D5000′s popup flash and uses it for macro photographs of creepy crawlies.

Here are some photos lit with his Pringles diffuser:

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos macro0

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos macro1

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos macro3

Use a Pringles Can as a Cheap Diffuser for Macro Photos macro4

To see more photographs taken with the diffuser, check out Kushnir’s Macro Insects set on Flickr.

My Macro Flash Setup (via DIYPhotography)

Image credits: Photographs by Steve Kushnir and used with permission

 
 
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  • Mblassey

    its cool but if you decided to pony up on that dslr and the telephoto lens you might as well spend the cash on a diffuser that isnt a pringles can. you do get the macgyver award however though : )

  • http://twitter.com/mmshepherds carterse

    Just last week, someone asked me about my camera, or what software I used to get “that black background.” My answer: “I put it in front of the cooker on the back patio.” Highly technical.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_47C4HVJKI3RL6WNXTBMERF3QPU Ganie

    the LED macro ring light is only $40, your gear must be $4000. I don’t understand.

  • doormouse

    I agree with the first poster. While this is extremely nifty and practical, it doesn’t look professional. Now unless you don’t give a damn about how your gear looks while on the job, good on ya! I’m gonna go….make one of these now.

  • Bvox

    Great idea! I love how you can use the in-camera flash. And whoever cares about good looks is in the wrong forum. Look for a fashion one guys. Photography should be about fun and nice pictures. When you talk about professional looks you really mean good looks. A lot of amateur and professional macro photographers use home-made rigs like this one. And most of them don’t use ring flashes, except for plane objects such as a coin. So if you don’t use the in-camera flash the minimum would be an external flash ($250 for a 430EX if you have a Canon), a bracket to get the light sideways AND a difuser, usually home-made like this one. Which is again not good looking… But wait, professionals use it! No, not the fashion ones…