Studio Lighting - Cheap DIY Homemade Reflector Stand
The following article about how to build a homemade reflector stand was contributed by Brian Zimmerman. You will want to use a reflector if you only have one light source, or in other cases where you want to eliminate shadows from a dark place and don't have a flash to place there. The trick is how to place this reflector in the most effective way.
Homemade Reflector Stand Introduction
This reflector panel holder made of 3/4" PVC pipe is handy if you have a spare tripod to use. The tripod provides a stable base that can be adjust for height and tilt angle. Reflector is the collapseable type used for an auto windshield (31 x 38"). It may also be possible to build a stand from PVC.
Reflector Stand Instructions
Some joints are left unglued for disassembly or adjustment.
A 1/4" diameter hole is drilled into the center of the T-connector piece to insert the tripod screw, and secured tightly with a wing nut (for easier fastening). Filing the T connector flat on the bottom not only helps make it more stable, but also may be necessary to get the tripod screw all the way through the thickness of the plastic. Some shorter tripod screws may not work. A sturdy metal base is recommended on the tripod, because the leverage forces could break a plastic tripod, although it might work if you are gentle and don't tilt it too much.
Here's another idea for an alternative way for attaching my PVC holder to an old tripod, which could work if the head is broken or it does not have a strong metal head... Remove the tripod head assembly so only the top vertical pole remains on the tripod, then use a size of PVC that slips over the top pole and fasten by drilling two holes a few inches apart through both PVC pipe and tripod pole, and secure with nuts and bolts. Attach my reflector holder to that PVC pipe, using an extra T-connector, plus a size-reducing bushing if necessary to accomodate a different diameter of PVC pipe. The only disadvantage with this is you loose the tilting action in the head, but you could still adjust for height, plus adjust the legs for a small amount of tilt if needed (usually close to vertical will work for most portraits anyway).
Another idea for holding the reflector panel might be to slit an approximately 1-ft length of PVC pipe lengthwise (or slit twice to remove a 1/4" strip for a wider opening), then use two of these as crosspieces and bolt them to a vertical PVC pipe which could slip over any vertical pole. The thinner PVC (schedule 25?, not schedule 40) might work better for the crosspieces and be easier to cut. Attach the top piece with the slit pointing down and the bottom piece with the slit pointing up, then slide the reflector panel inside the slits. A longer vertical pipe with extra hole(s) near the top could be used for a different size reflector(s).
Here's another idea for an alternative way for attaching my PVC holder to an old tripod, which could work if the head is broken or it does not have a strong metal head... Remove the tripod head assembly so only the top vertical pole remains on the tripod, then use a size of PVC that slips over the top pole and fasten by drilling two holes a few inches apart through both PVC pipe and tripod pole, and secure with nuts and bolts. Attach my reflector holder to that PVC pipe, using an extra T-connector, plus a size-reducing bushing if necessary to accomodate a different diameter of PVC pipe. The only disadvantage with this is you loose the tilting action in the head, but you could still adjust for height, plus adjust the legs for a small amount of tilt if needed (usually close to vertical will work for most portraits anyway).
Another idea for holding the reflector panel might be to slit an approximately 1-ft length of PVC pipe lengthwise (or slit twice to remove a 1/4" strip for a wider opening), then use two of these as crosspieces and bolt them to a vertical PVC pipe which could slip over any vertical pole. The thinner PVC (schedule 25?, not schedule 40) might work better for the crosspieces and be easier to cut. Attach the top piece with the slit pointing down and the bottom piece with the slit pointing up, then slide the reflector panel inside the slits. A longer vertical pipe with extra hole(s) near the top could be used for a different size reflector(s).
Silver reflector is from a set of two collapseable reflector sunshade panels made for a car windshields ($10 at the Target store), Axius brand super jumbo size (two panels each 31 x 38") "magic shade" that has a nice silver reflective surface on one side and black on the other, with a wire frame so it collapses to about 1 ft diameter. Yardstick included for size reference.
Auto reflector packaging - Front.
Auto reflector packaging - Back.
Reflector panel mounted in the Horizontal position, and demonstrating how the panel is held in place even when titlted.
Reflector panel mounted in Vertical position.
This shows how the frame is adjustable for height to accomodate vertical or horizon position of the 31 x 38" panel. The 4.5" tube with elbow is removed at the top and reversed and swiveled down, to change from the vertical position (left) to the horizontal position (right). Note that this panel is close in size to a standard 32 x 40 x 3/16" sheet of foam core, which could also be used for a white reflector panel. Alternatively, sew white fabric to the backside of one of the panels.
Vertically oriented panel in a titled position.
Here's another handy item for the photographer that I found in the camping section at Walmart. This emergency blanket (approx 4 x 7', $1.94) is shiny like aluminum foil, but is made of aluminum-polyethylene laminate, so it's very strong and flexible - perfect for making your own reflector(s) (attach to foam core board for a combination of white on one side and silver on the other, or attach to an auto reflector like that shown in the other photos here). As shown in lower right, it can be crumpled up to give a less mirror-like surface for a bit more diffuse lighting.
© 2002 Brian L. Zimmerman, BLZphotos.com
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Comments
Very useful stuff!! thanks
Very useful stuff!! thanks for sharing your idea!!
Thank you very much. Very
Thank you very much. Very useful tips in here. I am looking for how to mount my Flashgun to an umbrella stand. Any ideas?
Axel
This is something I can
This is something I can actually use, and will do. I can't justify spending the amount of money it would take to buy "professional" equipment, but this I can do. Thanks so much.
Thanks...
I've been searching the internet for something like this - DIY stuff for photography. Thanks a lot. Very Creative...
Better tripod mounting idea on 'T' piece.
You can improve on the wing nut inside the 'T' piece. A good method is to fill the 'T' piece with metalized epoxy and then drill and tap it with a 1/4" UNC tap. This means you don't need to fiddle with wing nuts when mounting and it will look a lot more professional. A cheaper and easer alternative is to epoxy a standard nut inside the 'T' piece.
It will also look better if you paint the PVC tube black. To make sure the enamel spray paint sticks you can use a plastic primer available from auto stores and give the plactic parts a light sand with some 80 grit sandpaper before assembly.
Don't forget that the black side of the shade panel is as useful as the shiny side. It's called a "gobo" and is used to darken one side of the subject by reducing reflected incident light.
Just drill and tap a metal
Just drill and tap a metal "t" piece to save time.
u r genius !
u r genius !
brilliant!!!
brilliant!!!
Very very cool! I will work
Very very cool! I will work on it this week.
Reflector
we need people with great ideas like this reflector project. It more fun, economical, less wasteful and works just as as good as "professionalones"" Thank you
Reflector
I just finished my project and it looks wonderful. What a neat way of "doing it yourself project" and so useful. The joy comes from doing it more than just saving bucks. The satisfaction, pride and fun can not compared to go to a camera store and get what you want! Anyways I am very happy. Thanks. Now I will try the diffuser!!!!!!!!!!!
These were extremely helpful
These were extremely helpful hints and will save me a bunch of $$$. Thanks!
Great Idea
Dude, you rock! I was trying to figure out how to make one of these and thought I would search the internet for ideas. I never thought I would find the complete plans. Thanks for sharing.
BRILLIANT!!!
You're a genius!
Nice idea. Thx!
Nice idea.
Thx!
In Light Of Gas Prices...
With gas being so high, it's nice to be able to spend 6 bucks on PVC and a nut, and get the SAME results that I would get from a reflector arm and stand, which retails for about $90 U.S. Who cares what is OUTSIDE of the frame!?! If you know how to handle your equipment, then it doesn't matter what you spend (or don't spend) on lighting, stands, backdrops, etc. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you don't have the luxury of showing up at a shoot with PVC pipe, because some snobby people might think that you're cheap. We all know that's not true. However, I like what I have seen on this site so far, and I will be passing on all of the info that I use.
Keep Snapping!
T.G.
Thanks Tony
I hear you. I agree. Sadly, sometimes the wrapping is just as important as what's inside. This is why most DIY stuff has corresponding non-DIY-pro-looking stuff. See the Lightsphere from Garry Fong, or the (great) stuff from honlphoto.com for examples.
- udi
Thanks!! I was about to buy
Thanks!! I was about to buy but will make instead.
that's a neat idea. i just
that's a neat idea. i just used cakeboards which are available in my pantry. now i can make similar to those with bigger sizes!
Alternative to tripod
I'm going to try this, but as I don't have a spare tripod, I'm going to substitute an old microphone stand I have. I might need to sandbag it for stability, but if it works, used mike stands can easily be found for less than $10.
At least, that's what they go for here in Nashville. Lots of people selling used music equipment here.
You Go To It
Brilliant Idea!!
I have more fun getting ready to do it than I have doing it. I utilize old, in the way stuff to build what would cost many dollars. That is much more fun than paying with paypal.
We have a Goodwill type store in my town. Buy an old projector screen and cut out the screen. What a great reflector.
Another cheap reflector
If you watch at yard sales, etc., you might also find a rollup projector screen; I got one many years ago for about $3-5. It also works quite well.
If you do buy an old projector screen from Goodwill or the thrift store, don't cut it away from the stand! Using a bit of this DIY ingenuity, just modify the mechanism so you can tilt it as you wish.
Yayeah!
Just constructed one of these bad-boys today. The sun-shade I bought was sized a bit differently, so I needed to make minor adjustments. Luckily I have some old mic stands that I'm not using, and those work just fine in place of a tripod; and they also have clips so no need to drill a hole for the screw! I bought some shiny gold spray paint and i'm going to paint one side of the shade this color. Thanks for all of the help!
-John
Reflector idea
Thank you so much for posting this DIY reflector. I shoot on location most of the time using natural light and I know that this will greatly improve my photographs on my limited budget. I'm heading out shopping right now!
Thank you
Shooter
Brilliant!!!
Many thanks for sharing your great idea!!
Daniela
thanks for the tips, im
thanks for the tips, im really trying to get my soon to be photography career off the ground, and its definately hard to do on a small or no budget. so thanks!
homemade lighting ideas
hey I have my first job and its on location. So with these lighting ideas I think I can get the work done and get the pictures I need. Great ideas and you've saved me money since I'm just starting out. Was freaking out about lights and reflectors, but thanks to you its going to go down with a good bang, ty
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