I've always detested flash photography! From those useless built-in things that fire at the back of a football stadium and just about manage to illuminate the head of the person in front, to the expensive hot shoe type that produce harsh brutal lighting and horrible shadows, with over-exposed shots.

Unfortunately, school photography often dictates the use of my Nikon SB-600. I bought the Stoffen diffuser cap, but although it softens the flash, it also reduces transmission - not very brilliant if you are shooting across the Assembly Hall! I will be ever indebted to Mike Otley for pointing me in the direction of 'A Better Bounce Card' This looks like a home-brew site with a 16 minute video showing you how it works and how to make one for nothing. I decided to go for the pre-made kit (it cost just £15 including postage from the USA) and I'm now in love with my flash again. It works by both bouncing and directing the flash - and the results are simply amazing - diffused lighting with an even spread and very little shadow - it just doesn't look like flash photography any more. The kit includes thick attachment bands which fit nicely around the flash head, and pre-cut 'Miracle Foam' bounce cards. The latter is a much better option than inkjet paper or card as it is much more flexible.

What about the resulting shots? I've included two shots to show the impressive results. The first shows an even spread of light, without the tell-tale signs of over-exposure of near objects:-

The second shot was the result of pinching the special material much tighter and the introduction of a small elastic band - it has produced exactly the effect I desired - a small focused spotlight of light to distinguish the foreground from the background:-

Mike has suggested doing a comparison between raw flash/the Stoffen diffuser/the bounce card. Ideally I would have liked to do this, but it was impossible under both situations. If your flash photos look rubbish and you have a separate flash gun, you can make your own judgments.

Sometimes you spend a lot of money to make your shots better - I can think of nothing which has cost me as little as £15 and has produced a monumental increase of quality and functionality. Even if you don't purchase the special materials kit (you should!), watch the video, make yourself a better bounce card, and fall in love with flash photography.

Images processed in Adobe Lightroom 4.1 beta

Mike Otley is a master of light...shade...emotions (his own words) but I would add that he is the best photographer I know personally! Many of my ideas and images have been floated past Mike and I'm always confident that his skills and judgment will keep me sharp. You really should make time to visit his commercial site, buy a print, and keep him 110% devoted to photography.