If you don't have a cable release, if your camera is on a tripod or some other steady setup, you could try using the timer delay release.
If you have an ott light or some other type of craft light, those can be good sources of natural light to supplement. Sometimes putting a single layer of a tissue over the flash if it can't be turned off can be enough to diffuse the light. I found when I was photographing my teacup and saucer for Australian Lace, that I needed to turn off a couple of the lights on my copy stand and use my ott light with it directed slightly away, so that I had light but no glares/reflections. Took a little futzing but the end result was worth it. Good luck. Cheers, Helen, Aussie in Denver, where we're seeing the pavement on our street emerge from the ice after 9 weeks of it 'hibernating'! We still have a good foot of snow on the lawns, but miracle of miracles, my hellabores has emerged from under a 4foot high pile of snow, flattened but with flowers buds! - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]