Photography problem.
So Ive got a small problem with photography. Mostly with equipment.
First, a bit of equipment background:
I am using the point-n-shoot Nikon S4. I chose this camera because of its medium portability factor (it fits in my pocket). Also because it was cheaper than getting a digital SLR type camera (I basically need to prove to myself that this isnt a whim before I can justify that kind of purchase). And it is important for me to have the solution to the problem keeping my camera fairly portable.
The Problem:
I tend to be in many low-light situations when I want to snap pics. Inside, at night, in darker situations. To make it such that people (one of my main subjects) are not blurry ... these situations often require a flash. And I do have a built-in flash.
However, I am almost never happy with the results of using a flash on a point-n-shoot. In my opinion, the light is too harsh and cold. This can work for some people's complexions, but not for a lot of people. Part of the point is to make people look good, I think, so this problem has to be solved. Somehow. I believe that if I can make the light more ambient/diffuse and warm, I will have better results on a broad spectrum of folks.
But the hardware presents a limitation - they tend not to sell many flash altering options for these types of cameras. I guess they figure that people who somewhat know what they are doing (or care) will only buy the real cameras. Meh.
I dont mind jimmy-rigging something, it just has maintain some sort of portability.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
First, a bit of equipment background:
I am using the point-n-shoot Nikon S4. I chose this camera because of its medium portability factor (it fits in my pocket). Also because it was cheaper than getting a digital SLR type camera (I basically need to prove to myself that this isnt a whim before I can justify that kind of purchase). And it is important for me to have the solution to the problem keeping my camera fairly portable.
The Problem:
I tend to be in many low-light situations when I want to snap pics. Inside, at night, in darker situations. To make it such that people (one of my main subjects) are not blurry ... these situations often require a flash. And I do have a built-in flash.
However, I am almost never happy with the results of using a flash on a point-n-shoot. In my opinion, the light is too harsh and cold. This can work for some people's complexions, but not for a lot of people. Part of the point is to make people look good, I think, so this problem has to be solved. Somehow. I believe that if I can make the light more ambient/diffuse and warm, I will have better results on a broad spectrum of folks.
But the hardware presents a limitation - they tend not to sell many flash altering options for these types of cameras. I guess they figure that people who somewhat know what they are doing (or care) will only buy the real cameras. Meh.
I dont mind jimmy-rigging something, it just has maintain some sort of portability.
Any suggestions are appreciated.