Advice for a fill light

[kat.hayes]

What is the difference between using styrofoam VS. a white card VS. foamcore VS. something like this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...mxp=0.0&sortDrop=Relevance&sb=ps&sq=desc&pn=2

for the fill?


Thanks!

 

[Hans Moleman]

how cool you wanna look

 

[kat.hayes]

Are there any noticeable differences visually by using one of these over the other?

Thank you.

 

[Hans Moleman]

it would depend on how 'reflective' the material is. But from what you listed, they'll all by pretty close to eachother. So, really, I think any difference is negligable.

 

[filmat11]

Styrofoam tends to break and makes the inside of your car look like crap. Foamcore has a slightly more "Brilliant" reflective quality, but never hard. White board is flimsy, and needs higher maintenance to keep it stiff and in a workable position. White board tends to give a flat fill, but an even light nonetheless.
The reflector will give you the option(depending on the brand and accessories) of a very reflective surface or a more muted flat surface. Look into a 5 in 1 type reflector. This comes with separate covers that zip on and give you solid black, silver lame type(very reflective) a dull silver, and a white surface to choose from. Use of a C-stand or a reflector holder stand, will help tremendously with this reflector

 

[vertigoanton]

Styrofoam tends to break and makes the inside of your car look like crap.

To prevent the above from occurring, take some 2 inch gaff or paper tape and tape around the edges. This usually prevents those stupid beads from getting all over the place.

 

[Shooter]

None of them are 'fill lights'.

They are all reflectors but they do fill the light because they bounce light back into the subject depending on angle, proximity to source and subject .

They all would have a similar fill light characteristic.

 

[kat.hayes]

Good point. Since you brought it up, when would you use an actual light for the fill VS. foamcore or a reflector of some sort?

Thanks.

None of them are 'fill lights'.

They are all reflectors but they do fill the light because they bounce light back into the subject depending on angle, proximity to source and subject .

They all would have a similar fill light characteristic.

 

[Spartacus]

Good point. Since you brought it up, when would you use an actual light for the fill VS. foamcore or a reflector of some sort?

Thanks.

I usually use reflectors only in close-ups. In wider shots I fill with another fixture.
But outdoors, with no powersuply nearby, I also use large reflectors,
Check this link

 

[Cedric Akins]

I actually just bought two flexfill type reflectors on ebay these things are great. The silver side tends to add a lot more contrast to the image where as the gold side warms the images conciderably. But as far as the fill light is concerned I like to use a number of items whitefoamcore, silks, as well as homemade silks (rip-stop nylon from a fabric store). They all have thier uses.