black foamie thing / black foamy thing

I use the black foamie thing (BFT) as a truly inexpensive flash modifier to flag my on-camera flash to give me lighting indoors that truly look nothing like on-camera flash.

This page is a reference to the articles on how I use the BFT in my work.

The piece of foam (Amazon), can be ordered via this affiliate link. I cut the sheet into smaller pieces.The BFT is held in position by two hair bands, and the BFT is usually placed on the underside of the flash-head.

The linked articles will give clearer instruction, especially the video clip on using the black foamie thing.

articles about the black foamie thing:

bounce flash portrait – a consistent technique (model: Shawna)
bounce flash technique – mimicking soft window light ( bride: Jennifer)
bounce flash & short lighting (model: Noreen)
bounce flash & direction of light (model: Carly Erin)
bounce flash & catchlights

why I use a light modifier that is black (bride: Heather)
bridal portrait with bounce flash (bride: Stacey)
directional light from your on-camera flash (bride: Laura)
bounce flash photography & white balance settings (model: Roz)
using the black foamie thing to bounce flash forward (wedding: Tatiana)

bounce flash with and without the black foamie thing (model: AD)
wedding photography – tips for detail shots of the wedding rings
bounce flash for bridal portraits (bride: Christine)
using on-camera bounce flash outdoors at night (wedding: Jen & Chris)
bounce flash photography tip – bouncing flash towards a window

… and there are always more articles on flash photography being added to the list.

Of course, there is also a Facebook fan page for the black foamie thing.

photography books written by Neil vN

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

newsletter / forum / workshops & seminars

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help
by using the B&H affiliate link or any of the other affiliate links
to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!

Stay informed of new articles via the monthly newsletter.
Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.

If you need more direct help or instruction on flash photography,
I regularly present photography workshops & seminars.
I also offer individual tutoring sessions, whether in person or via Skype.

19 Comments »

Just wanted to let you know I got one of these. I used it and loved it! So glad I found your site and the instructions on how to use the black foamie thing! :)

Comment by Aimee — February 8, 2012 @ 1:48 pm
wouldnt placing a small grid-spot on ur speedlight accomplish the same thing?

Comment by naftoli — February 8, 2012 @ 3:19 pm
Naftoli .. try it out and compare and see.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — February 8, 2012 @ 3:22 pm
Oh….but we want the Neil van Niekerk deluxe, autographed BFT, designed to exacting specifications with gold engraving and specialized band holding the BFT in place….and we want to pay $99.99 for it…..LOL!

Comment by ANTHONY — February 8, 2012 @ 3:24 pm
Anthony, if there was a demand for it at $99.99 … then I’d definitely do it! : )

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — February 8, 2012 @ 3:30 pm
I like the idea of flagging the flash to create a softer light source. I recently bought by SB700 and i am gonna use a piece of the black side of the box as my BFT. I shall call it BCT, my “black cardboard thing”. That way excess light shouldnt be spilling over

Comment by Joel — February 8, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
Hi Neil,

I find your work just amazing, but above all, your honest and open sharing of your tremendously helpful knowledge and experience. Thank you.

Would you have any objections if I wanted to improve on the BFT design and sell it for profit on my website? Also, I would like to provide a link to your site from my website so that people can learn and benefit directly from the Master on the use of the BFT.

Please let me know.

Thanks again.

Ali

Comment by Ali — February 9, 2012 @ 5:49 pm
Ali, sure, run with it. : )

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — February 9, 2012 @ 8:04 pm
Hey Neil,
First, thanks for the outstanding advice and willingness to share your talents. On the BFG size… I understand its use is to stop the flash from going forward onto the subject, so, why would the length matter? I know its longer for when the flash is angled far over but does it have to go back short length on higher angles? Seems like I can just set it long and leave it. Does it matter?

Comment by Lee — March 7, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
If the BFT is larger than is necessary (ie, larger than juuuuust enough to stop the light from directly hitting your subject), then the BFT just eats up too much light. There is definite loss of light.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — March 8, 2012 @ 7:10 pm
I just love that it has it’s own acronym! Reminds me of a “BLT” sandwich, except a “BFT” is slightly more functional. That aside, I’m glad I stumbled across your site via Flickr and hope to read through more techniques and advice on flash photography.

Comment by Michael — March 13, 2012 @ 8:30 pm
Hi Neil,
I use the BFT as often as I can. But I have one simple question. Is there a simple way to put that darn thing on the flash ? I always have some difficulties trying to put the elasting band around the flash and the BFT! :-)

Comment by Claude — March 15, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
Claude .. then you might like the Spinlight 360 for exactly that reason.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — March 15, 2012 @ 10:26 pm
I recently purchased the Spinlight 360, because I loved the way the LBFT was working. . .Forward to this weekends wedding reception and I found myself falling back to using the LBFT on my 580. I suppose it is just a matter of it being what I was comfortable with, but I just wasn’t getting the 360 to produce the same results.

Comment by Harry — July 1, 2012 @ 11:12 pm
Hi Neil, love your photography and this site, is tremendous help. Two questions about your black foamie thing technique.

1. How high is “too high” for a ceiling being useless to bounce flash with your SB 900?

2. Do you adjust the position of the head for every shot?

Comment by Edgar David — July 25, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
Keeping to the idea that we want to approach this like studio photography in how we place that “bog softbox”, the bounced flash, then 30-45 degrees up and to the side would be best. Higher than that, then you rush getting shaded eyes.

It needs some experimenting.

“Too high” would also imply that you might not get enough light from your bounced flash, but this ties in directly to the size of the place (i.e., the distance you’re bouncing your flash), and your choice of aperture and ISO. Also, the color of the walls and ceiling will have an effect.

Again, you need to experiment.

And yes, you have to continually adjust the position of the head for however your subject is positioned. It can’t be static. Static doesn’t make sense, because then there is no consideration of the direction of light.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 25, 2012 @ 1:53 pm
Dear Neil, Thanks a million for sharing all your valuable knowledge will us all. This is really great. All your tips are incredibly helpfull. I am most certainly going to look for a BFT here in Cape Town. Many thanks. Eddy

Comment by Eddy Bakker — November 18, 2012 @ 2:30 pm
[...] Niekerk, an extremely talented wedding and portrait photographer. It is, in fact, his famous “Black Foamie Thing“. Please do visit his site, as I do not have the talent to really do the subject justice! I [...]

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