DIY Flash “Diffuser” using a cigarette box

So I found this photo on Facebook and I was like “WTF, why haven’t I thought of this?” .. So I decided to get a cigarette, pull out its contents, and make this DIY flash diffuser.

When you look at it, it’s really easy to make.

What you’ll need:

• An empty cigarette box of 10’s or 20s, and it should be a hard box (like Marlboro’s) or the light from the flash won’t travel around the wrapper properly if the box is not hollow enough.
• Scotch tape
• Scissors (Optional ‘coz in my case, I just tore the paper 😀 )

Steps:

1. Pull out the foil inside the box 
2. Cover the inside of the box with the foil so that when the box is attached in the flash, the foil will reflect the light and concentrate it outside the opening. 
3. Also make sure no light goes out at the bottom of the box, so make sure it’s properly covered 

Result Comparison

So I tried the diffuser and compared it with a shot without it. The photo with a diffuser may be a bit darker, but the light distribution from the flash is not as harsh compared to the photo without it. Also, the light is focused on the center of the picture because of the direction of our cigarette box that only blast the light on a specific area (in this case, the center of the image). I like it this way when using a flash because it’s hard to manage a picture with a full-blown flash on the subject. With a diffuser, you can at least minimize the strong flash, and still retain a lower ISO and faster exposure in low-light conditions. This DIY diffuser may not be perfect, but it works (and waaaay cheaper).