Light reflectors create two lighting points for photo sessions.
Photography as a practice and career offers plenty of benefits, but also requires lots of supplies. The cameras, lenses, film and memory sticks are pricey enough, let alone the costs involved in studio supplies. Save money by making your own light reflector and rig to create the perfect two-point lighting for a shot.
Instructions
Building the Light Reflector
1. Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to the size that works best for you. Make the light reflector any size you want them, but most are about 1.5 by 2 feet in area. The larger the area, the more light it reflects.
2. Pull out enough aluminum foil to cover the cardboard on one side and have excess to wrap around the sides. Avoid bending or crinkling the aluminum foil.
3. Spray one side of the cardboard with adhesive. Some adhesives require a few minutes to dry to a tacky surface.
4. Place the foil over the adhesive, shiny side up. Have two assistants, each holding one end of the foil, slowly lay it down on top of the cardboard to avoid folds, bubbles and crinkles. Smooth the foil down with your hands to press into place.
5. Wrap the overhanging edges of the aluminum foil around the cardboard. Secure it in place with spray adhesive.
Building a Reflector Rig
6. Set up your light stand and tighten the legs in place.
7. Pull the center pole up by about six feet. Tighten the center pole in place.
8. Attach a large A-clamp toward the top of the center pole.
9. Attach a second A-clamp to the pole about two feet below the first. This position is based on relative size of the light reflector. You can adjust its position to the size of your own reflector.
10. Pin the top of the reflector in place by clamping it against the handle of the first A-clamp with a third A-clamp. Clamp the reflector at the bottom following the same procedure.
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