How black reflective surface ?

[rjalex]

What can I use to obtain a black reflective surface to put on the table in front of a black non reflective background (velvet or matte cardboard) ?

This is more or less what I want to obtain (but also large enough to have a full human figure lying on it):

http://www.campaniaimpresamusica.org/magazine/arte/repent-and-sob-no-more-l2019arte-dei-ragazzi-del-suor-orsola/2007-05-17.8850166783/image

Thank you

[airfrogusmc]

A large piece of plexi glass would do it.

[TomTomTuning]

A large piece of plexi glass would do it.
Or glass... make sure there is nothing that could reflect the light and give you un wanted colors.

[rjalex]

So like placing the glass on some black velvet surface which blends in the background and making sure the ambient is scarcely lit and the glass does not pick up unwanted reflections or catchlights ?? OMG sounds like a daunting task :) any pointer so to lighting and other setup for such a thing ?
Thanks

[20droger]

Ordinary glass on a black material will produce a double reflection. This will be emphasized in a low-angle shot.

I would use a sheet of polished plack plexiglass so there will be only a single reflection. If not laid on the floor, I would make sure it is on something solid enought to prevent flexing so the reflection remains true.

Keep the plexiglass immaculately clean. Every smudge or speck of dust will stand out.

[SwingBopper]

Garbage bags.

[rjalex]

Thank you. When ou say plexiglass are you taking about that glass like transparent thing ? I f so I am confused over what will give it the black colour. Maybe a question of lighting and shot angles ???

Garbage bags ... will try for sure but doubt some of my models will lay on them :)

Happy Xmas and thanks
Bob

[René Damkot]

Second the plexiglass (http://www.professionalplastics.com/cgi-bin/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/4/prrfnbr/85259).

[airfrogusmc]

So like placing the glass on some black velvet surface which blends in the background and making sure the ambient is scarcely lit and the glass does not pick up unwanted reflections or catchlights ?? OMG sounds like a daunting task :) any pointer so to lighting and other setup for such a thing ?
Thanks

Here it is on white seamless
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_69833.jpg

[20droger]

Thank you. When ou say plexiglass are you taking about that glass like transparent thing ? I f so I am confused over what will give it the black colour. Maybe a question of lighting and shot angles ???

Garbage bags ... will try for sure but doubt some of my models will lay on them :)

Happy Xmas and thanks
Bob
Yup! That glass-like transparent plastic, which also comes in many different transparent and opaque colors, opaque black and opaque white among them. You can buy plexiglass in sheets from most suppliers. Look in your local phone book under plastic, or plastic sheeting. 4' by 8' sheets are not uncommon, and are large enough for use with a human model.

It also comes in mqany thicknesses. Since this is for photographic work, the thickness is unimportant to the shot, but can make a big difference in handling the plastic. I find 1/16" and 1/8" a little too fragile in big sheets, so I recommend 3/16" or 1/4" purely for reasons of strength. Any thicker than 1/4" is, in my opinion, a waste of money and too heavy to handle easily.

One drawback of plexiglass is that it scratches very easily. I therefore recommend covering it with a flanel sheet when not in use. If placing a human model on the plexiglas, have them position themselves on the sheet, then carefully remove the sheet as they roll gently from side to side. Polish the plexiglass with a very soft cloth just before shooting. Black plexiglass will show every speck of dust, every smudge, and every fingerprint, especially in a low-angle shot.

Keep it clean and treat it with care and it will last virtually forever. Scratch it once, and you're out gettin a new sheet. In theory, a scratch could be fixed with eitch heat or a solvent, and then a good buffing. But a low-angle shot will definitely reveal the ripple at the site of the repair.

Edit:

Just another thought. A very thin sheet, say 1/32"-3/64", can be bent for seamless work, especially if the subject is at one end of an 8' sheet and the other end is suitably weighted, bent, and clamped. Watch out for secondary reflections, though. Curved shiny surfaces are funny things.

[rjalex]

Thank you very much. I'd love to be your apprentice :)

Take care
Bob

[song4themoon]

check backdropoutlet.com go to "Studio" they have black mirrored plexiglass