materials for the black foamie thing / black foamy thing
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As regular readers of the Tangents blog know, 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. The BFT consists of a small piece of black foam held in place by two hair bands. Simplicity itself. I’m frequently asked where the black foam can be sourced … well, here are the Amazon affiliate links to order the black foam, as well as hair bands. |
I have also added a page with links to all the articles relating to the black foamie thing.
Of course, there is also a Facebook fan page for the black foamie thing.
If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!
photography books by Neil vN
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Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.
If you need more direct help or instruction on flash photography,
I do present workshops & seminars and also offer individual tutoring sessions.
If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by
using these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!
For those here in Ireland and the UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Funky-Foam-Sheet-A4-Black/dp/B001HBCRS4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1328693247&sr=8-7
Comment by Sean — February 8, 2012 @ 5:34 am
I have been using the black foamie thing for over a year and a bit. It’s the best and cheapest thing I have ever done for my flash. Thanks Neil.
Comment by Joe Leong — February 8, 2012 @ 6:15 am
Thanks for the great tips Neil! I made my own BFT using a drink coozie (the thin, flexible, fold-flat, foam ones – got about 20 from various places) – cut the bottom off and then cut into 2 pieces – perfect size for blocking direct light, and quick on/off the strobe using my wife’s hair bands. I also made one as a snoot – just removed the bottom.
Comment by Geoff Johnson — February 8, 2012 @ 10:20 am
Foam sheets are available at Walmart, Joann’s & Michael’s for about $0.50 for a 9″X12″ sheet. Larger sheets are also available at these stores. If you don’t want to make a foamie thing you can buy ready made here for $20.00: http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/abetterbouncecard%2Deyeshield.html
Comment by Mike — February 8, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
It cracked me up to scroll down to the “Customers who bought this also bought” section and see several arts and craft supplies, and a link to Neil’s Off Camera Flash book.
Comment by Ryan — February 8, 2012 @ 8:35 pm
I’ve been using my BFT for over a year now too and I love it. I cut mine from an old foam fender cover that was lying about in my garage. I have just started using a ball bungie to hold it on the flash. It seems a bit easier to manage when moving the BFT to shoot vertical. Just grab the ball and the edge of the BFT and scootch it around.
Eric
Comment by Eric Skagen — February 8, 2012 @ 11:33 pm
Neil,
an alternative material, which seems to work well, is 3mm nylon/lycra backed wetsuit neoprene (which can be bought in sheets). The neoprene I sourced had nylon/lycra on both sides, so I carefully pulled off the backing on one side, to go towards the flash, as the rubber has more friction against the flash unit than the nylon. (Oh, and one side of the wetsuit material I got happened to be blue, which was not useful…)
Comment by Geoff — February 9, 2012 @ 12:43 am
Most of the mousepads is made of black foam, there is only sheet of colour paper on the top. Try to remove this paper in water, clean a little and you have it :)
Comment by Tad — February 9, 2012 @ 3:40 am
dear Neil
I followed you for years and always read your great post.
For a long time I waited to buy a new digital camera and have always been the idea of buying the Nikon D 800.
At this point I stopped because I knew that the D 800 has 36000 pixels, and I fear that this pixel value is negative for the noise.
I have proposed a Nikon D3s at cost but are very undecided whether to wait for the D 800 or take the old D3s.
I am not a professional photographer but I use the camera for pure passion.
I wanted to know if you think the D 800 has an acceptable noise …..
I need your advice ………. I consider you the best in the world.
I buy only with your advice …. I just need clarification from you!!
Thank you so much
Edy Trigona
Genoa, Italy
Comment by edy — February 9, 2012 @ 5:04 am
Comment by Neil vN — February 9, 2012 @ 5:30 am
Thanks Neil,
I will continue to follow you know if you have news about it.
Thank you Thank you thank you
Edy Trigona Genoa Italy
Comment by edy — February 9, 2012 @ 6:38 am
I glued a white (WFT) to the back of mine to use as directional bounce card for when id rather direct than flag or direct and flag or…
Just another variety upon one of my most valued accessories
& Thanks again, Neil, for that and so much info – online and in your great books.
I had found very little useful info available to help me utilize my flash, then i found your site, your books and my flash is now a very vlauable asset to my photography.
Comment by Will Dochertaigh — February 9, 2012 @ 7:28 am
Does the black foamy thing have to be black ?
would using different colors cause a color cast?
Comment by jimmy — February 9, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
Comment by Neil vN — February 9, 2012 @ 9:40 pm
[...] diffuser with silver dome on it, which helped to reduced shadows. Another thing I used had been Black Foamie ( see details on Photographer Niel Van Niekerk blog). It@s very simple but good tool to use and it [...]
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