DIY: Make Your Own Light Reflector For $5
August 10th, 2007 by Tim Solley
Finished reflector
Many hobby photographers would love to run out to the nearest camera store and drop a bunch of cash to buy all the necessary accessories to really make some awesome photographs. Those same hobby photographers would also love to hold on to their significant others, so sometimes priorities must be set. So if you’re one of those people who has been wanting to get a reflector set but doesn’t want to shed the cash, you should know that there are do-it-yourself options.
Here’s how to make your own reflector at home with just a couple of super cheap materials you probably have at home already.
Materials
Super
77
- You’ll need a piece of cardboard. Just go out to the garage and cut up an old cardboard box. The size of your new reflector is only limited by the size of the box.
- You’ll need some aluminum foil for a silver reflector, or some white paper for a white reflector. If you’re crafty and resourceful, you can even find gold colored foil out there.
- You’ll need some adhesive to attach the foil or paper to the cardboard. I use 3M’s Super 77 spray adhesive. You can get it from big home improvement stores for just a few bucks. This stuff is great to have around the house.
The Process
- Get your piece of cardboard and spray an even coat of the adhesive over one side. It should be noted here that I’m using some cardboard from a box of Shiner Bock beer. The use of beer is essential to this step…
- Cut off a piece of foil or paper larger than the cardboard, and lay it on top. Smooth it out with your hands to spread out the adhesive. If you chose a really big piece of cardboard, just use as many pieces of foil or paper as needed.
- Wrap the overlap around the cardboard and glue the flaps to the back of it. That’s it, you’ve got a reflector!
Mmmm…beer!
Foil glued on
Finished reflector
When I started getting serious about photography, this is how I got going with reflectors before I bought a reflector set. It really does work beautifully. When I once built a larger reflector, I first folded it in the middle before applying the foil. This way I could fold the larger reflector in half to save space without tearing the foil after building it.
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August 10th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Personally, I like my own cheap reflector — purchased at Kmart: a large car window sun reflector - you know the kind with the metal edging that you twist/fold up to put underneath your car seat.
The one I got has a shiny reflective side (like your tin foil) and the other side - my favorite side - is a light-grey with a flat-satin type finish… which is good for a softer reflection.
It cost me less than $10 and I got TWO of them that fold up neatly to fit into my photo backpack!
August 10th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Thanks for the comment Michael. You’re absolutely right, those window shades do make great reflectors. The accordion kind with the really shiny side are good as well as the wire rimmed kind. I even mention using these in my Portrait Lighting For Beginners: Portraits With One Light article.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
[…] (zelta/sudraba folija) tas ar? viss. Pam?c?ba p?ris vienk?ršos so?os ar aprakstu atrodama šaj? lap?. Man ir doma par š?s lietas realiz?ciju, bet pagaid?m tam nav vajadz?ba, kad atgriez?šos […]
August 11th, 2007 at 2:57 am
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August 21st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Yes, these are great. I first learned with the car window reflector. If you’re resourceful you can “find” a reflector.
We were having a yard sale and were handwriting a sign on 30×40 foamcore. When purchased it was wrapped pretty tight in heavy, clear plastic. It was tied in the back and they even put one of those cheap old handles on it so that it could be held. Ultimately, you tuck it under your arm and the handle is positioned so that you can hold it at about a normal positioning of your hand. Kind of like a portfolio, with the handle on the side, not the top. If you had two of these on a windy day you could flap around a little.
Anyway, one of these babies went unused and left aside. Well, I “found” it in the basement. No one could see any use for it, so I claimed it. I have another reflector now. For free! And it’s sturdy, too!
Scott
August 21st, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Thanks for the tip Scott.
Just the other day, Philip Litke posted a pretty cool DIY reflector panel idea in the Sublime Light forum. It’s made using dome tent poles, some duct tape, and a highly reflective emergency “space blanket”. After reading his description, I really liked the idea and think I’m going to take a stab at making one of these myself.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Oh, wow, I forgot about those space blankets!
They’re as thin as paper and can fold up to the size of a pocket napkin. They’re cheap, too. A coupla dollars each. They were designed to keep you warm in the outdoors and they do an excellent job at that. I used to play around and wrap up in one when I got in the car in NY winters. It took the car a little while to warm up, but I’d be toasty and perspiring in the blanket.
Keep some around the house, in the trunk, the photo bag, they’re useful!
-Scott
August 21st, 2007 at 9:13 pm
When I first heard the term “space blanket” the other day, it rang a bell for some reason. Having grown up in the Los Angeles area where the temperature is always nice, I had never really been exposed to them before. I think I probably heard my dad mention them over the years (he’s a firefighter for L.A. County and spends much time in brush fires in the mountains) which is why it rang a bell.
The gears are definitely turning now that I’m aware of these useful items. They definitely fit the bill with their cost, size, and reflectiveness. I think I’ll play around with some ideas.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 am
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