Lighting on the cheap

[JohnEBongo]

Has anyone used car windshield shades as a reflector for outdoor photography? Which is more effective, the accordion kind with a silver or gold foil like covering, or the fabric kind that roll up into themselves for storage? Or is there another cheap alternative I have not thought of?? I am just looking for cheap ideas until I become more experienced.

[Scottes]

I haven't tried either, but neither of them would be very stiff - how would you hold them up? An assistant would be great, of course, but I don't know if you could hold them in place. Without an assitant the cardboard fold-up kind would have some support. Pain to carry though.

The gold type would have a warming effect that would be nice at times, but the silver might be too harsh. Gold on one side and white on the other would be what I'd want.

Adorama has a 5-in-1 (white gold silver black diffuser) that folds up into a small flat package. I think it's about $25 or $35.

[G3]

If you want something really cheap that will work well, get a big piece of stiff cardboard and some aluminum foil. Take the aluminum foil and wad it up into a tight ball first, then unwad (is that a word?) it again and smooth it out best you can and glue it to the cardboard.