A reflector is a device that redirects light in photography. These come in two varieties: lamp reflectors and board reflectors. Falling into the latter category are lighting umbrellas, or umbrella reflectors, which can be used to actually increase the amount of light being directed to the scene. This kind of lighting effect is very cheap, especially when you make the lighting umbrella yourself, which is why many photographers use it in their first experiments with studio lighting. Umbrella reflectors are quick and easy to make -- just grab an umbrella and a can of reflective spray paint and you're already halfway there.
Instructions
1. Purchase an umbrella if you don't have a spare one handy. It is helpful for the item to be collapsible for storage purposes, but by no means essential. It is even possible to use your current umbrella as only the underside will be altered, meaning it will still be suitable to protect you from the rain.
2. Take your umbrella outside. This will offer a ventilated environment since you will be using spray paint and also means you won't make mess in your home.
3. Cover the ground with newspaper.
4. Spray the underside of the umbrella with reflective spray paint. Gold and silver are good choices as they create warm and cool lighting effects, respectively, but there are many other options. Make sure the whole underside is covered in paint before you stop spraying. Spray paints designed for use with fabric are ideal as they will last longer, but any reflective spray paint will work.
5. Allow the paint to dry.
6. Try out the reflectiveness of the umbrella with your lighting range. If you prefer a more reflective surface, take the umbrella back outside and apply some more spray paint.
7. Repeat this process until you get the desired level of reflectiveness. Apply too much paint and it will soak through the topside of the umbrella, so watch out for any signs of this and stop immediately if you notice this happening. Your lighting umbrella is now complete.
8. Ask someone to hold the umbrella up for you as you operate the camera or attach it to a stand as you would with a normal lighting umbrella.
Tags: spray paint, lighting umbrella, reflective spray, reflective spray paint, paint will