Ideas on a Homemade Disk reflector?

[DivineImaging]

Running low on cash, I have to do some bridals next week... Does anyone have any ideas on making a homemade disk reflector for outdoor portraits?

[LonestarMan]

White foam core board from Hobby Lobby works well.

[Trinitee]

Silver car sunshade works well, easy to store too.

[AndrewCCM]

I second the foam core idea. It's stiffer and handles a bit better in the wind.

[DivineImaging]

Great ideas! Going to get them both. THANKS!

[Steelsun]

I've used The car shades many times - you can get the circular nylon collabsable ones that are silver/grey on one side and gold on the other - for normal and 'warming' abilities.
If you can, pick up the SUV size, as they are larger, and often come in 2 packs.

[Trinitee]

I cut the car silver sunshade in half to get 2 circles.. it handles fairly well in the wind. If you want to get creative you can take one of the halves and give it a slight gold spray paint to give a warm reflected light. It's always handy to have an assistant , if not if you can find an easel or some sort to hold it in place.

I have also used small white foam core board "For Sale" / "Garage Sale" signs, the ones that have wire feet (that you can stick in the ground) and have glued on a layer of crinkled aluminum foil. Wire feet can be adjusted by bending and you don't need an assistant for smaller area shots. :) Works great with macro shots.


PS: If you want to make the one where you glue crinked aluminum foil, use 3M spray glue. It works great and not as messy as conventional glue

[Trinitee]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

I've used The car shades many times - you can get the circular nylon collabsable ones that are silver/grey on one side and gold on the other - for normal and 'warming' abilities.
If you can, pick up the SUV size, as they are larger, and often come in 2 packs.

That's good to know about the gold ones... would have saved me a mess

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by Trinitee

I cut the car silver sunshade in half to get 2 circles.. it handles fairly well in the wind. If you want to get creative you can take one of the halves and give it a slight gold spray paint to give a warm reflected light. It's always handy to have an assistant , if not if you can find an easel or some sort to hold it in place.

I have also used small white foam core board "For Sale" / "Garage Sale" signs, the ones that have wire feet (that you can stick in the ground) and have glued on a layer of crinkled aluminum foil. Wire feet can be adjusted by bending and you don't need an assistant for smaller area shots. :) Works great with macro shots.

All interesting ideas.. One thing that (I personally) consider with some of the more exotic ideas is how it plays out to the client. There is a level of professional perception that is important with certain clients. With others, it's whatever works...Just something to consider.

[Trinitee]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

All interesting ideas.. One thing that (I personally) consider with some of the more exotic ideas is how it plays out to the client. There is a level of professional perception that is important with certain clients. With others, it's whatever works...Just something to consider.

Very true and an excellent point to consider! You may also want to search on eBay

Es: http://cgi.ebay.com/5-in-1-Collapsib...QQcmdZViewItem

[DivineImaging]

Will get a professional one in the future. This is for my cousin so sunshade would be perfect.!!! Awesome Ideas... Will be searching for the sunshade tonight.

[Trinitee]

Like Steelsun said, see about find one with silver and gold.

[Steelsun]

Originally Posted by Trinitee

I have also used small white foam core board "For Sale" / "Garage Sale" signs, the ones that have wire feet (that you can stick in the ground) and have glued on a layer of crinkled aluminum foil. Wire feet can be adjusted by bending and you don't need an assistant for smaller area shots. :) Works great with macro shots.

Great Idea - I have to try this instead of propping my stuff all the time.

Also on the car shades - the ones I bought look just like some of the "pro" ones at Adorama. I think I paid 17.88 or close at Wally World

[Trinitee]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

Great Idea - I have to try this instead of propping my stuff all the time.

Also on the car shades - the ones I bought look just like some of the "pro" ones at Adorama. I think I paid 17.88 or close at Wally World

Necessity is the mother of all inventions! (either that or sheer desperation)

Recently I've used them while taking pictures of children in flowers. The nice thing too is that the metal wire feet can be pulled out, and since there is a good 3-4 inches (inside the plastic/foam sign) you can raise it up a little if needed.

[Daniel W.]

The car shades look fine unless you have your favorite Nascar racer's number and visage on the back.

"What's that you got there?"
"Oh. That's my LaBonte relector!"

My stands look a little beat up and I have microphone boom stands hanging around. Two of those look really professional holding it up. I was shooting in a "no-light, no-room" situation and having the reflector behind me, on-camera flash bounced behind looked great