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Foam Core Board?

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ShakeMyBlues

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I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros - I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
 
the pink insulation sheets you can buy at Lowes or other building supply places. I paint one side flat white, the other flat black. 4x8 sheets. They come in different thickness's. I think mine are 1/2"
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
--
Regards,
Phillip@keepsake
http://www.keepsakephotography.us
 
Foam core is mounting board available at craft / art shops. It's got cardboard on both sides with styrofoam in the middle. Light weight but self supporting and reasonably durable. Its typically used for reflectors, not backgrounds. As Phillip mentioned anything flat you can paint white will work for a reflector.

For a cheap white seamless background you can get 110" wide white muslin for about 6 bucks a yard at Walwart. I know this because I bought 6 yards today for my home studio after someone else mentioned it here recently. If you want something more durable, Phillip had a clever solution. He found a linoleum remnant at a good price, then painted the back side white for use as a very durable seamless. When it gets dirty all that's needed is a fresh coat of paint. He's posted photos of it before and perhaps can provide the link to that thead.

Chuck Gardner
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
 
I picked up some foam core board at Hobby Lobby today. A 20 x 30 inch sheet was 2 bucks. I got it primarily for backing to mount photos for framing but bought an extra piece to use as a reflector in the studio.
It is stiffer than cardboard and holds it's shape. It is 3/16th' thick.

I'm going to Walmart tomorrow to check out their black sheets. I haven't told me wife about it yet. She will wonder, I am sure, what in the world I need with a black sheet.
George74
Chuck Gardner said:
For a cheap white seamless background you can get 110" wide white
muslin for about 6 bucks a yard at Walwart. I know this because I
bought 6 yards today for my home studio after someone else
mentioned it here recently. If you want something more durable,
Phillip had a clever solution. He found a linoleum remnant at a
good price, then painted the back side white for use as a very
durable seamless. When it gets dirty all that's needed is a fresh
coat of paint. He's posted photos of it before and perhaps can
provide the link to that thead.

Chuck Gardner
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Remember life is short so eat your dessert first.
 
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can't top these previous posts!..........but, while I'm waiting for my monolights I found 60" white and black ripstop nylon at Joann's fabrics for $8. per yard.

Made two PVC frames for about $4.00 each and with some hemming by my wife I have a black and white 50"W x 70"H diffusion panel for about $25. each.

Reflectors are my next step, but Joann's tried very hard to research white and silver reflective fabric but said they could not find any with the proper "reflective index".

???? Can anyone help by providing sources for bulk reflective fabric for this purpose?

P.S. I really like the PVC frames.........1/2 inch PVC, 2 ea. 10 ft pieces, cut once to sizes you prefer. I chose 51 in. for horizontal. 2 elbows at top, 2 tees at bottom. Then get 2 more tees, 4 caps, and make feet with short pipe sections (maybe 10 in to 12 in). put them into tees, add caps at ends, and use 2 small risers (4 in) to connect tees on panel to tees on feet.

Note: You could probably avoid any sewing and just pin or even velcro short areas on each edge. That would make it very easy to assemble and take down.
TMc
 
TMacaw said:
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't top these previous posts!..........but, while I'm waiting for
my monolights I found 60" white and black ripstop nylon at Joann's
fabrics for $8. per yard.
Made two PVC frames for about $4.00 each and with some hemming by
my wife I have a black and white 50"W x 70"H diffusion panel for
about $25. each.
Reflectors are my next step, but Joann's tried very hard to
research white and silver reflective fabric but said they could not
find any with the proper "reflective index".

???? Can anyone help by providing sources for bulk reflective
fabric for this purpose?

P.S. I really like the PVC frames.........1/2 inch PVC, 2 ea. 10
ft pieces, cut once to sizes you prefer. I chose 51 in. for
horizontal. 2 elbows at top, 2 tees at bottom. Then get 2 more
tees, 4 caps, and make feet with short pipe sections (maybe 10 in
to 12 in). put them into tees, add caps at ends, and use 2 small
risers (4 in) to connect tees on panel to tees on feet.
Note: You could probably avoid any sewing and just pin or even
velcro short areas on each edge. That would make it very easy to
assemble and take down.
TMc
Click to expand...
TMc

Check out http://www.software-cinema.com/tinkertubes/ for a whole bunch of PVC projects. Also shows how to make clips from PVC that you can use to secure the fabric rather than sewing.

FCF
--
--Now where did I put that extra set of batteries?
 
George74 said:
TMacaw said:
jpringlephoto said:
set up a white backdrop and over expose that white backdrop about
two stops.
I love photography
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Old photographers never die. They just get out of focus.
Click to expand...
Joe Peoples writes:

I'm not sure where the +2 stops on a white background came from. Perhaps if you are using a reflective reading, +2 stops might make sense, but with an incident reading, this is overkill and will cause kickback onto the subject. About your question concerning subject overexposure, subject and background are best lit separately, which best controls exposure and contrast.
 
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
My earlier comment had a buried question which may have been misinterpreted.

I have large diffusion panels made of white ripstop nylon (black as well).

I would also like to have similar "reflective" material to use on the panels. I inquired with JoAnn fabrics and they were nice enough to check some sites for me to see if they had white, silver, gold fabric which would work.

Their resposne was......we do not have anything with that "reflective index". My question to the Forum is/was.....does anyone know of the source of this fabric?......so one could order needed amounts for attaching to existing panels? I am asssumig that the "reflective index" is markedly different than my white ripstop nylon.

Thanks for any help and hopefully this will also address some of the original poster's questions.

TMc
 
Find your local plastic distributor for foam boards comes in 4 x 8 sheets. I prefer white/back foamboard very cheap and is white on one side black on the other no painting needed. I buy it by the carton use it for everything from reflectors to mounting board to packaging.

Scot
 
TMacaw said:
ShakeMyBlues said:
I just started taking some creative lighting photos and heard about
something called foam core board. Sure probably most people know
about it, but I was hoping to get some help/tips on what materials
to use for a pure white background/backdrop. Does anyone here have
good suggestions? I want to be able to take portraits like the pros
  • I just need to know where to begin. Thanks so much for your help.
-Megan
Click to expand...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
My earlier comment had a buried question which may have been
misinterpreted.

I have large diffusion panels made of white ripstop nylon (black as
well).
I would also like to have similar "reflective" material to use on
the panels. I inquired with JoAnn fabrics and they were nice enough
to check some sites for me to see if they had white, silver, gold
fabric which would work.

Their resposne was......we do not have anything with that
"reflective index". My question to the Forum is/was.....does
anyone know of the source of this fabric?......so one could order
needed amounts for attaching to existing panels? I am asssumig
that the "reflective index" is markedly different than my white
ripstop nylon.

Thanks for any help and hopefully this will also address some of
the original poster's questions.

TMc
Click to expand...
Sorry missed that the first time through. I assume you mean reflective fabric like a gold or silver color. I purchased gold lame fabric from JoAnn's in various tones [some shinier than others] and glued that to the foldable windshield covers from the auto supply. I think you could do the same with the frames for larger reflectors. Don't know why clerks told you they don't have the fabric. My store had a section with several bolts of various colors [golds, silvers, patterns, etc] The only one I couldn't find was something similar to the alternating silver/gold zig-zag for a toned down warming reflector. HTH

FCF
--
--Now where did I put that extra set of batteries?
 
Fujicamfan said:
Sorry missed that the first time through. I assume you mean
reflective fabric like a gold or silver color. I purchased gold
lame fabric from JoAnn's in various tones [some shinier than
others] and glued that to the foldable windshield covers from the
auto supply. I think you could do the same with the frames for
larger reflectors. Don't know why clerks told you they don't have
the fabric. My store had a section with several bolts of various
colors [golds, silvers, patterns, etc] The only one I couldn't find
was something similar to the alternating silver/gold zig-zag for a
toned down warming reflector. HTH

FCF
--
--Now where did I put that extra set of batteries?
Click to expand...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really appreciate your response.............I will head back over to JoAnn's and look a bit harder now that I know what I'm looking for. Will also explore the windshield reflector idea since it makes the piece much more versatile.
Many thanks!
TMc
 
The material used for the refector will affect the quality of the light. n general a big white reflector will provide better quality fill than a smaller silver one.

Shiny reflective surfaces like the windshield reflector will give you fill which is very intense and specular which may create undesirable specular highlights in your shadow areas when moved close to the subject. This might be just the thing for shooting a well oiled, back-lit, bikini clad model on the beach, but less than ideal as fill for a window-lit portrait where highlights in the middle of the shadow created by the reflector would be a distraction.

White reflectors, while not bouncing as much light, produce a softer, more diffuse reflection less likely to create specular highlights in the shadow areas (unless moved too close).

Chuck Gardner
TMacaw said:
I really appreciate your response.............I will head back over
to JoAnn's and look a bit harder now that I know what I'm looking
for. Will also explore the windshield reflector idea since it
makes the piece much more versatile.
Many thanks!
TMc
Click to expand...
 
Chuck Gardner said:
The material used for the refector will affect the quality of the
light. n general a big white reflector will provide better quality
fill than a smaller silver one.

Shiny reflective surfaces like the windshield reflector will give
you fill which is very intense and specular which may create
undesirable specular highlights in your shadow areas when moved
close to the subject. This might be just the thing for shooting a
well oiled, back-lit, bikini clad model on the beach, but less than
ideal as fill for a window-lit portrait where highlights in the
middle of the shadow created by the reflector would be a
distraction.

White reflectors, while not bouncing as much light, produce a
softer, more diffuse reflection less likely to create specular
highlights in the shadow areas (unless moved too close).

Chuck Gardner
Click to expand...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These responses are all useful and are framing my understanding of the issues affecting my results.

I have not been able to get one specific piece of information.........since I already have a large, white, ripstop nylon diffusion panel, what white material (and where do I get it) is most ideal to add which will provide an appropriate level of "reflection" when I need it? I assume that the white ripstop is simply too translucent and will not provide sufficient reflection. There surely must be a source for this "reflective" material. What about just adding a large piece of white cardboard behind the ripstop to negate its translucency?..........also, maybe thin foam board.

Since I have failed so far in identifying fabric I can purchase and modify to the shapes and sizes I need, I am now in the process of getting white foam panels to test. I can then spray paint them if the existing white surface does not produce a good result.

I have no problem with purchasing expensive reflectors in future, but not until I know what sizes, shapes and material meets my needs.
Thank-you for helping.
TMc
 
to your diffuser panel?? aren't u spposed to shoot THROUGH that panel? why do u need to add reflective coating to it?

sorry i'm new to lighting myself so don't understand the purpose of adding reflectivity to a shoot through diffuser.
TMacaw said:
Chuck Gardner said:
The material used for the refector will affect the quality of the
light. n general a big white reflector will provide better quality
fill than a smaller silver one.

Shiny reflective surfaces like the windshield reflector will give
you fill which is very intense and specular which may create
undesirable specular highlights in your shadow areas when moved
close to the subject. This might be just the thing for shooting a
well oiled, back-lit, bikini clad model on the beach, but less than
ideal as fill for a window-lit portrait where highlights in the
middle of the shadow created by the reflector would be a
distraction.

White reflectors, while not bouncing as much light, produce a
softer, more diffuse reflection less likely to create specular
highlights in the shadow areas (unless moved too close).

Chuck Gardner
Click to expand...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These responses are all useful and are framing my understanding of
the issues affecting my results.
I have not been able to get one specific piece of
information.........since I already have a large, white, ripstop
nylon diffusion panel, what white material (and where do I get it)
is most ideal to add which will provide an appropriate level of
"reflection" when I need it? I assume that the white ripstop is
simply too translucent and will not provide sufficient reflection.
There surely must be a source for this "reflective" material. What
about just adding a large piece of white cardboard behind the
ripstop to negate its translucency?..........also, maybe thin foam
board.
Since I have failed so far in identifying fabric I can purchase and
modify to the shapes and sizes I need, I am now in the process of
getting white foam panels to test. I can then spray paint them if
the existing white surface does not produce a good result.
I have no problem with purchasing expensive reflectors in future,
but not until I know what sizes, shapes and material meets my needs.
Thank-you for helping.
TMc
Click to expand...
 
River Side said:
to your diffuser panel?? aren't u spposed to shoot THROUGH that
panel? why do u need to add reflective coating to it?

sorry i'm new to lighting myself so don't understand the purpose of
adding reflectivity to a shoot through diffuser.
Click to expand...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, should have clarified...........I was planning to use diffusion panel with main/key light and shoot through. I became convinced that a softbox would provide better results and to use the diffusion panel as a reflector for fill on other side of camera. It may provide some help as is, but I think it would perfom better if I hang a more reflective white material on the PVC frame. I think a large sheet of white Insulfoam board (apprx. 1 inch thick) will do a good job, is light and easy to handle (indoors) and a 4ft x 8 ft sheet cost only $7.50 at Lowe's. It is whiter than small foam core boards at craft stores and the "matte" finish seems like it will work. Maybe someone else has a better solution.
TMc
 
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