Inexpesive Do-It Yourself Reflector
Oct 18, 2011 19:34:32 #
rmbanas
Loc: Michigan
With today's budgets and cost of equipment I thought I would pass this along. At a seminar I saw this home made reflector that the photographer had made and he uses several on location.
It is made of 4x8 insulation foam board you can find at Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure you get the kind that is silver coated.
Cut the board in half so you have 2 4x4 sheets.
On one side of each half glue on some white cardboard.
Make a few "Hinges" out of nylon strap or rope and attach a equal number on each half of the foam, make sure the are offset from the opposite board.
With the white sides (or silver) together slide a 4 1/2 foot wooden dowel through your hinges.
You now have a light weight / portable reflector!
Sorry about the poor quality of the drawing, I'm a photographer not an architect!
It is made of 4x8 insulation foam board you can find at Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure you get the kind that is silver coated.
Cut the board in half so you have 2 4x4 sheets.
On one side of each half glue on some white cardboard.
Make a few "Hinges" out of nylon strap or rope and attach a equal number on each half of the foam, make sure the are offset from the opposite board.
With the white sides (or silver) together slide a 4 1/2 foot wooden dowel through your hinges.
You now have a light weight / portable reflector!
Sorry about the poor quality of the drawing, I'm a photographer not an architect!
Oct 18, 2011 19:56:46 #
Very cool. I always enjoy making my own stuff if at all possible. Allows us to express our creativity in ways other than through the lens. I guess I may look a little "homemade" when I pull up but you didn't remember the guy that had the expensive brand name reflector now did ya!
Oct 19, 2011 05:51:01 #
Oct 19, 2011 08:23:26 #
I have gone to the art supple store here and they have a folding (4'x4' I think?) foam core display panel for presentations.. costs under $3. Also come in many colors..
Oct 19, 2011 08:31:03 #
Oct 19, 2011 08:42:01 #
Oct 19, 2011 08:52:18 #
Bill M
Loc: Sunny Floida
Nice idea! I wonder how many of the forum readers out there overlook the value of reflectors. If you haven't used them, give them a try. You'll be pleased with your results.
Oct 19, 2011 10:47:52 #
I use a windshield silver reflector to bounce light. Rolls up small and easy to carry around. Keep it in my auto trunk.
Oct 19, 2011 10:47:53 #
I use a windshield silver reflector to bounce light. Rolls up small and easy to carry around. Keep it in my auto trunk.
Oct 19, 2011 11:57:23 #
Many times the reflector will reflect "hot spots" onto the subject. The solution offers reflector without hot spots.
Cut out a piece if cardboard from a shipping box.
With a roll of aluminum foil unroll a length of foil that will over lap the length of the cardboard.
Crumple up the foil into a small ball, then stretch the crumpled foil over the cardboard.
You will want to use foil that has a dull side ans a glossy side. Cover one side of the cardboard with the dull side out, and the other side with the glossy side out.
This will give you a two-in-one reflector. The glossy side can be used on over cast days, and the dull side can be used on bright sunny days. The crumpling will give you a diffused light source with no "hot spots".
Cut out a piece if cardboard from a shipping box.
With a roll of aluminum foil unroll a length of foil that will over lap the length of the cardboard.
Crumple up the foil into a small ball, then stretch the crumpled foil over the cardboard.
You will want to use foil that has a dull side ans a glossy side. Cover one side of the cardboard with the dull side out, and the other side with the glossy side out.
This will give you a two-in-one reflector. The glossy side can be used on over cast days, and the dull side can be used on bright sunny days. The crumpling will give you a diffused light source with no "hot spots".
Oct 19, 2011 13:01:14 #
Les
Loc: Covington, LA
I like all these ideas mainly because of $$ and they are DIY. Thanks for the tips.
Oct 19, 2011 13:11:25 #
aaron
Loc: brooklyn ny
nice idea if you have the space to transport it. but how about something easier to close up and move with? something like the Ed Pierce line of collapsable reflectors.
Oct 19, 2011 13:18:26 #
aaron wrote:
nice idea if you have the space to transport it. but how about something easier to close up and move with? something like the Ed Pierce line of collapsable reflectors.
That is a good idea, but there was no description of diffused reflected light source. The idea of using the aluminum foil reflector provides double sided diffused lighting.
The physical size of the cardboard can be any size you like from 3 x 3 feet down to 12 x 12 inch. It all depends on your subject
Oct 19, 2011 13:25:58 #
aaron wrote:
nice idea if you have the space to transport it. but how about something easier to close up and move with? something like the Ed Pierce line of collapsable reflectors.
In a previous post I talked about how good $2.33 shower curtain liners from Walmart are. They sell a "white" model which makes for a great reflecting material (I recommend the "frosted" liners for diffusing light). It's about 6 X 6 ft of reflecting material that folds down to book size.
Oct 19, 2011 13:27:52 #
aaron
Loc: brooklyn ny
hey, you must be kidding; use of colors may produce very strange lighting, if thats what you really want. Stick with the white.
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