Papaw probably won't like it

[Aunt Phil]

Ever since the discovery we could take a Polaroid pic and send it to the shop or parts guy, I've looked at more bad pictures than I care to count.  It got worse when we got digital cameras.  One of my favorite things is getting a picture with a note basically asking what can be done to fix this.  I'm old and ornary, so I generally reply "Learn to take a damn picture".

Fortunately I'm close to what used to be KODAK City, and I know a few real photographers.  A while back one pulled his LED flash out of his bag, snapped it in place, and shot some fine close ups.  Hey, I been trying to do that for years with everything from a flashlight to a couple LED taillight bulbs on a contraption.  I ask some questions and learn some.

I get over by the fancy camera store, and talk to the fellow there about these LED illuminating devices,  and right quick I learn my camera is obsolete and if I refinance my property and make payments for 5 years he can set me right up with a new outfit I'm way too dumb to operate unless I head off to College to learn to point & click.  That don't set well with me, so I tell him I'll never buy another camera that can't accommodate a cable release.  He grabs a little garage door button and tells me how for just a few more payments I can have that too and it's the 2015 cable release.

I look dumb and tell him I gotta think on it.  I'm damn good at the looking dumb thing!

Thinking on it on the way back to my place I figure I can buy LED strip on ePay, so I did the finger walk through their offerings and found the perfect LED strip, an aquarium light, for 4 bucks.  When that came I experimented with a few clothespins and the camera, and got an understanding of the need for a diffuser, more experiments.  Then I found a piece of PVC pipe that I could make a little adjustment to on the lathe and get myself a friction fit onto the lens guard.  Finally I stumbled onto a Tupperware something that worked for the diffuser,  and assembled myself a closeup light with some GOOP, the miracle product.

It didn't even cost a truckload of money, and it does a good job to about 3 feet from the camera.
I probably ought to keep it hidden from the KODAK guys, didn't cost enough and it don't have a label. 

[Papaw]

You are mistaken, Phil!

I like the ingenuity. I have used homegrown diffusers of several kinds myself.

You did well on that contraption.

[amecks]

That's pretty neat Phil.  When you get a chance can you post some photos you took using it?  I am always taking close-ups of mechanical assemblies so I can take them apart and get them back together the same way.
Al

[Papaw]

Now I am wondering, how do you trigger it!
Are you setting the camera on a long exposure or "bulb" and triggering the light source to expose your shot?

[Aunt Phil]

I'll get some pics up later. no chance right now, and I want to show comparisons with/without.

Pawpaw I ain't trigegring, Sony DSC-H2 doesn't have a hotshoe, so the light stays on.  Plug & play.
That makes it much easier on the viewfinder part of the operation as well.

[Aunt Phil]

Quick & dirty
Ambient light only

LED illuminated

Flash

Yes, the phone needs dusting, thanks for noticing

[Papaw]

Now if you can find a way to adjust the white balance, you've got it.