Sequence viewing > Light & Lighting - Resource - ©
Light in Photography - LIGHTING - FLASH
Flash Lighting - ACCESSORIES - SNOOT
The snoot is a cylindrical attachment that produces a narrow beam
of light that can be projected to very specific areas of the scene.
While they can be brought from the manufacturer, devices can be improvised
by the photographer that direct the light in a very similar manner.
A piece of card or sheet aluminum can be cut and folded to form a
cone. Be aware that such devices are quite close to the modeling lamp
and because of the shape of the cone heat can build up to a point
where the snoot becomes very hot. In some cases a card may ignite
or in the case of aluminum the photographer might burn their hand.
Often a manufacturer will design the snoot to be fitted in such a
manner that another device fits between the snoot and the flash unit.
While this might be a small honeycomb of filter attachment it often
acts as a device to dissipate the heat build up.
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snoot can be attached to the front of the light to do just the opposite,
It directs the light in a very small beam and may only emit a small
circular ball of light onto the image. A snoot can be made quite easily
from a sheet of metal curved into the right shape.
IT IS NOT WISE TO USE CARD BOARD, PLASTIC OR PAPER FOR THIS AS THERE
IS STILL SOME HEAT FROM THE UNIT AND THEY COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman