Handmade Portable Affordable Reflector
The “A.I.R” = Affordable Inflatable Reflector
Tobi Troendle created the A.I.R reflector. Aside from having a cool name it also folds to nothing.
(more…)
Handmade Striplight and Softbox
Do you know those weekends when it is just to hot to get out of the home? Well just for those weekends we have a great weekend project. Actually we have two weekend projects.
The first project is a Foamcore softbox. We’ve had those before, even for small flashes. But this one comes complete with build and assembly instructions by Paul Both. To top sugar with cream (or light with diffusion) Paul also made a nice strip light – again complete with plans and chocolate syrup. (The designs were made for the 580EX2 and 430EX Canon flashes, but will fit any flash with minor adjustments).
Studio Lighting – Homemade Gridspot
Gridspot (or grid) is a studio accessory that you can attach to your flash. When the flash fires through the grid, the spread of the light rays is limited. The effect you get is very similar to the effect achieved by a snoot, but light more controlled and really hits a small surface. You often want to use a snoot or a grid for avoiding light spillage when you are setting up you back light.
Here is what you’ll need:
- Some black coroplast (you can get it in art stores and office depot)
- An exacto knife
- Glue
The first step is to measure your flash head. I use a Nikon SB800 which is six centimeters wide. Then, using the exacto knife, cut the coroplast into pieces of six by three. (If your flash is wider cut to something else by three cm). I did this by cutting a long six centimeters strip of coroplast, then trimming 3 centimeters at a time.
(more…)
Softboxing the world – a home grown softbox
A softbox is a studio thingy that professional photographers use on their studios. Why? for a couple of reasons.
For one thing, softboxes create a smoother light – less hotspots (yea – those are the bright, burnt our noses in your photos), anther is smoother shadows. Most professional models are shot with softboxes to get that glamorous, look. Softboxes are also great for macro shots – they produce even diffused light.
