Lightscoop® | A Product Review

A while back, a photographer friend of mine mentioned an interesting little product to me, the Lightscoop®. I was intrigued, but cautious. Anything that claims to turn a DSLR’s pop-up flash into a useful, flattering resource makes me raise an eyebrow. The Lightscoop® stayed in the back of my mind though, and when I decided to host a workshop for novice photographers, I couldn’t help but think that the Lightscoop® had a definite place there. So I contacted the nice folks at Lightscoop® and they agreed to send one if I reviewed their product and shared my thoughts with all of you. Of course I said yes! I was giddy to get my hands on that thing! The Lightscoop® arrived right before the workshop and I was excited to try it out with a photog friend of mine, using her camera {my 5DMII doesn’t have a pop-up flash}. Before I begin, let me tell you that I wasn’t going to give the Lightscoop® an easy review; we tested it, and tested it some more. And in the end, we were both majorly impressed. Majorly. Here are a few of the random images we shot, all in a dark room with no lighting assistance other than the pop-up flash and our standard Lightscoop® {images are SOOC, shot with a Nikon D90}:

 

Notice the traditional signs of a pop-up flash: dark, obvious shadows, reflections on shiny surfaces, harsh light that takes away from a natural-looking photo. Show me a photo and I can ALWAYS tell when a pop-up flash was used. With the Lightscoop®, however, you get a much nicer overall image that is truer to the actual ambiance of the room.
It is no secret that I love cupcakes. So I shot one. With my camera, first with a pop-up flash and then with the Lightscoop®. Again, you can see shadows, harsh lighting, washed out details, and reflections on shiny surfaces with a pop-up flash. The Lightscoop® provides a much nicer image. But what about people? Who goes around shooting food and wine all the time? We needed more definite proof of the Lightscoop®’s power. My sis-in-law adamantly declined my request to post the photo I shot of her {hehe}, so I volunteered myself as the subject {blah! This is super weird when you get used to being behind the camera!}. Again, great results with the Lightscoop®; no harsh flash, shadows, or washed out features. You get an image that is more natural-looking.

 

So you’ve seen the proof, but how exactly does this little gem work? From the website:

 

“Lightscoop® is a smart low-tech device that creates soft, flattering light by redirecting your camera’s pop-up flash to a ceiling or wall…Lightscoop creates soft, natural light and lets you capture the scene the way you see it.”
“Simply slip the Lightscoop® over your SLR camera’s pop-up flash, follow the easy camera set-up steps, and immediately transform the ugly direct light from your tiny pop-up flash into pro-quality light. Lightscoop® lets you use professional photography techniques without having to buy or learn to use expensive extra lighting equipment.”

 

Final Verdict: When I shoot in situations that require a flash, I use my trusty Canon Speedlite 580EX II, but that piece of equipment holds a pretty hefty price tag. The science behind the Lightscoop® is similar to how I use my Speedlite though, to redirect/bounce harsh light from my flash. For the everyday camera owner, I think the Lightscoop® is a really great alternative to purchasing the expensive flash equipment. It is light, easy to use, durable, and the best part, affordable. I think it is a must-have for the basic user, and at an unbelievably low $29.95, I bet you’d agree. The bottom line is that Lightscoop® does some pretty amazing things for otherwise crappy pop-up flashes, offering a wonderful alternative to washed out, shadowy, red-eye, harsh photos. Admit it — when you are in situations where you HAVE to use your pop-up flash, you end up thinking to yourself, “This looks just like a photo I would take with my point-and-shoot! What the heck?!” You own a nice DSLR but can’t get any quality images from it when you use your flash. That is where Lightscoop® saves the day. It really is spectacular. Keep in mind that I am recommending this for the everyday, non-professional photographer. I would not suggest Lightscoop® in place of more powerful external flashes for advanced or professional photographers who need that type of equipment.

 

I included the Lightscoop® in the pool of give-away items at the workshop {thank you, Lightscoop®!} and I am certain that the lucky winner is getting plenty of use out of it. Check out the Lightscoop® website for tutorials, dozens of before-and-after photos that will blow your mind, and to snag a Lightscoop® of your own. I highly recommend it 🙂