Wrinkled Reflectors - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/22/2009 08:27:15 PM · #1

I have one of those 5-in-1 reflectors. I'm taking some photos of flowers for class. I'm using the white to diffuse a flash and I wanted to use the gold as a makeshift backdrop, but since it's a cover, it's been folded and has very very deep fold wrinkles on it, which keep reflecting the light differently and are incredibly noticable. I feel like ironing it is a bad idea. Any suggestions on how to get the wrinkles out?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

03/22/2009 08:33:20 PM · #2

My guess... stretching it is probably your best bet. Perhaps wet it slightly first then stretch it to dry. Some large pieces of cardboard might help you to get the stretch you'll need.
(This is why I have never folded my reflectors).

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/22/2009 08:36:28 PM · #3

How do you store your reflectors if you don't fold them? Mine came folded, not to mention twisted up to fit into that little bag!

I'll try some more stretching, thanks!

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

03/22/2009 08:39:41 PM · #4

Originally posted by geinafets:

How do you store your reflectors if you don't fold them? Mine came folded, not to mention twisted up to fit into that little bag!

I'll try some more stretching, thanks!

I use mine in the studio 90% of the time, so they stay hung on light stands (or an IV pole a friend gave me) - when I travel, I just leave them full-sized. I've never put any of them back into the bags they came in. lol.

Seriously though, one of my reflectors is of a material that is very wrinkled by nature (kinda like krinkled aluminum foil). It reflects a softer light which is very nice at times.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/22/2009 08:40:05 PM · #5

Well, you can use my anti-ironing technique: get a mister spray bottle and fill it with rubbing alcohol--mist the item even to the point of soaking a strong crease if need be. Takes the wrinkles outta shirts and such, and dries fast, too.

I'd test this on the edge of the gold reflector, since I don't know how the material would react. Misting it or just dampening it with water might work well, too.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/22/2009 08:59:08 PM · #6

Originally posted by chromeydome:

You know you can do that with a spray bottle with water and a little bit of liquid fabric softener. Just as effective and a lot less flamable. lol

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/22/2009 09:11:36 PM · #7

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
Well, you can use my anti-ironing technique: get a mister spray bottle and fill it with rubbing alcohol--mist the item even to the point of soaking a strong crease if need be. Takes the wrinkles outta shirts and such, and dries fast, too.

I'd test this on the edge of the gold reflector, since I don't know how the material would react. Misting it or just dampening it with water might work well, too.

You know you can do that with a spray bottle with water and a little bit of liquid fabric softener. Just as effective and a lot less flamable. lol

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'll try this. Non-flammable sounds good, especially with the way I shoot : )

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

03/22/2009 09:26:04 PM · #8

Originally posted by idnic:

LOL--well, I don't smoke! And I live in a humid place, so using water means it will never dry. When lived in Phx, water worked fine :-) Rubbing alchohol is a lot like "dry cleaning"--which uses liquid, too, just not water. Fast drying stuff that stinks, mostly, where the alcohol will dry fast, kill bacteria, etc. It is also the main component of carpet cleaners & spot removers.

But yea, don't toss a lit match on it. Or your cologne, perfume, or aftershave, for that matter ;-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/22/2009 09:51:34 PM · #9

You might try stretching it out and playing the output from a portable hair-dryer over it.

I don't think I'd use alcohol or any other solvent without knowing what the fabric and coatings are made of -- disolving a hole in the middle would be a bad idea.

LVicari

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/22/2009 11:13:03 PM · #10

Isn't it supposed to be wrinkled to scatter the light? I wouldn't iron it. just move it back, use a shallow DOF to blur it out. Problem solved no wrinkles! Or Use Gaussian Blur in post.

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

03/23/2009 12:06:58 AM · #11

Originally posted by LVicari:

Isn't it supposed to be wrinkled to scatter the light? I wouldn't iron it. just move it back, use a shallow DOF to blur it out. Problem solved no wrinkles! Or Use Gaussian Blur in post.

It's one of those shiny gold reflectors. It has very fine texture on it to scatter the light, but the "wrinkles" are definitely more "folds" made by the company that made the reflectors when the other covers were folded to be put in the bag.

I tried to blur them out. I was shooting (usually) f2.8, with the flower a foot away from the camera and the backdrop a foot behind that, but the fold was so intense that there was still a very distinct bright line, no matter how I moved the lights. I wish I could just blur them out! That'd be so much easier : )

Stretching in progress! I hope it works!

Message edited by author 2009-03-23 00:07:46.

slaakso

Olympus E-510

03/23/2009 04:25:10 AM · #12

I was not funny

Message edited by author 2009-03-23 18:43:14.