The LIGHTSCOOP!

Since Christmas time, when Nathan bought me a DSLR, I've been having loads of fun learning how to use it properly. There's no point in having a DSLR if you're just going to shoot in auto mode. So, I've been learning how to take good photos in manual mode. When John naps & when I've completed my chores for the day, I get to sit down & READ, READ, READ what can I can on different forums, blogs & photography websites. I've learned a whole lot & any confusions or questions have been answered by some friends who themselves are great photographers.

After noticing that on photos taken inside are grainy due to a high ISO, I asked a friend what a good solution would be since using the pop-up flash results in a harsh direct light on the subject & dark backgrounds. She had great advice & recommended a few products (that were cheap to boot!) on Amazon that I looked into. I ended up ordering Professor Kobre's Lightscoop. Since I don't have an external flash (I'd love one someday after I learn more), in order to lower my ISO, I need to use the pop up flash on days where natural lighting sucks (which is most days here since it's winter). The Lightschoop attaches onto the pop up flash & bounces the flash onto the ceiling if held in landscape or a wall if held in portrait.

Excuse the quality... these photos were taken with my iPhone lol.

After reading the product description, I was hesitant since it said it works well with white walls & ceilings. Our ceilings are a light wood & our walls are a creamy yellow. So, I continued on to read all the customer reviews; most of which were very promising. I decided to just give it a go since it was only $30.

I'm so happy I did!!! It really does bounce the light from the flash so that the photo has even light. I highly recommend this to anyone who is new into photography/doesn't want to spend the several hundred dollars on a good external flash. It's a good solution to the horrid built in flash. It's compatible with several different DSLR's. I have a Rebel T3i & even though it wasn't listed in the compatible camera's, it's built like the previous models so it works. Just slide it right into the hotshoe!

Before Lightscoop & with Lightscoop!

All photos are unedited. I uploaded them to iPhoto & put some in a collage using TurboCollage. Nothing further has been done to them.

ISO 400 with 1/125 shutter speed with OPEN windows

ISO 400, 1/160 shutter speed with CLOSED windows

ISO 200, 1/125 shutter speed with one open window

***As a side note, most of the photos taken in our home, have been shot with an ISO of 1600-6400 and a sloooow shutter speed (usually around 1/20) previously because of how dark & gloomy it's been this winter without the pop up flash, so to be able to use a significantly lower ISO & faster shutter speed in the same gloomy conditions is very exciting for me :) All photos have been taken using the kit lens (18-55mm) since that's all I have, for now.***

It takes some practice to figure out where you need to be in relation to say the wall or the angle of the camera when you're trying to bounce it off the ceiling. By this bottom photo I was finally getting the hang of it. Luckily John is a pretty patient subject haha. I want to get as much practice in as I can incase I have to use flash when baby girl is born for her newborn photos!