I bought this white background kit http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c15/p15-11.php a while ago and it works great for what it is intended for but I all of a sudden got a genius idea to take it outside on a sunny day and use it for a giant fill reflector for this shoot where I have to light 5 people. Is this a good idea or will this not work like i'm thinking it will?
Can I use this as a giant fill reflector outdoors?
- Thread starter dtjohns1
- Start date
Deniz Coker
Active member
Yes and no. Usually when 'flying' something you'll have to tie down the corners and when you have a real silk that's intended for that purpose, it'll have rope threaded grommets that keep it from flapping wildly in the wind. The tied down corners are in addition to as many sandbags as you can get and a grip holding down each stand. I usually go with the beefiest stand I could get. Also where are you planning to position this? I can see it working as a frontal fill i.e. if the sun is hitting the people from behind and this is filling from the front opposite the sun and vertical as in the picture, but in these cases I find it better to use rigid methods of fill such as gatorboard and the like which are just more manageable and quieter in exterior locations with wind. If you were thinking of suspending this over the actors, without a proper frame in the least it will probably be a nightmare. As I mentioned it most likely can work as a fill, just have a grip on each stand, sandbag it and perhaps sandbag the bottom lip of the reflector to the ground and take up any slack. Remember, it'll turn into a big sail. Also remember your shadows. It often looks fake when the fill is just plopped on the ground and you're in an empty field and expect the lighting to come from above.
Deniz Coker
Active member
Anytime! I've had problems with the sides flapping, a little trick I use on green screens when the sides need to be taught is to tape them to the pole then use spring clamps to secure the tape otherwise it'll slowly come loose from the tension. Works everytime.
maranfilms
Veteran
Just go to home depot and buy an 8x4 sheet of foam insulation that has a silver sheen, then if you want to get really creative, buy some white gloss paint and paint one side, silver on one side, white on the other, boom , done.