Organza for window nets

U

Ulophot

Member
John Jackman's excellent book (Lighting for digital Video and Television) talks about using black organza (net) to balance exterior brightness with indoor scenes. I have some interviews planned, some of which would benefit from this light-balancing technique. My intended light kit will be small Lowel's--Tota, Omni, Pro, i.e., not tremendous lux-power, attempting to maintain ambient light appearance. Yes, I do know that by cutting light through windows, I'll be reducing ambient levels as well. As a still photographer, I did a fair amount of interior architectural work, but could balance light using strobes, by adjusting the shutter speed .

Looking on the Web for organza, the price range is enormous, from $150 for a 6x6 double net unframed to about $14/yd for silk organza, to under $3 for, I assume, synthetic organza. $3 sounds great to me, call it $6 to make a double net.

Leaving moire' pattern problems aside in doubling, anyone have experience with the less expensive fabrics for covering windows--how much they cut the light, problems, durability, techniques? If there is full sun outside, we're talking major luminance differences.
 
Have you looked at more conventional ND gel on rolls or as wet-mount direct to the glass?

Just purchase a range of ND gel (.3, .6., .9, 1.3ND), and cut the appropriate stop to the window size. Then spritz the window glass with a spray bottle filled with distilled water and one drop of Dawn liquid soap. It should hold all day and the gel can be reused on like size or smaller windows on subsequent shoot days.

e
 
Erik gives good advice.

If you plan to go the organza route, just go to your local fabric store. It should be extremely cheap... plus you get to experience the weird looks the women behind the counter gave me when I bought mine.:thumbsup:
 
Don't I owe you a hi-hat board? You have every right to conduct yourself in a raucous, bordering on rude, manner until I finally ship one to you.

:engel017:

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I have a roll of black organza for this purpose. It's cheap, takes just seconds to through up, and is transparent as long as you don't double it. Does a great job at cutting down light.

Your local fabric store will have it, and it'll cost just a few dollars for several metres.
 
Erik Olson said:
Don't I owe you a hi-hat board? You have every right to conduct yourself in a raucous, bordering on rude, manner until I finally ship one to you.

:engel017:

e
Click to expand...

Nah - don't worry about it.
You've given me more than enough in terms of great insight and info on these boards.
:)

(pun slightly intended)
 
Organza/tule

Organza/tule

I know about tule, after photographing for a local ballet company for 14 years. I have also used it as a lens diffuser, being too cheap (euphemism for broke, but you all understand professional usage) to spring for the glass net filters. In my experience, it cuts very little light that way, perhaps 1/3 stop single net.
 
Double or triple the layer. Keep it VERY taut across the window. Otherwise use ND on glass windows, which gives a better look anyway. Or of course, go a different route and cover window with tracing paper for a more contemporary look.
Depending on the windows size, you could also RENT a 4x4 double net, as opposed to buying all the fabric. Pass the rental $$ onto your client. Add CTO for additional color correction.
 
Check before doubling or tripling, because depending on the size and shape of the mesh, you can get a moire pattern that may not be noticeable to the eye, but is VERY noticeable on camera!
 
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