Critique for reflector

I made this 4-way reflector some years ago but never really used it for much of anything. Pulled it out today and put it to the test, though it's inside and using lighting that isn't very strong. I'm guessing stronger light sources will yield more dramatic results.

Please don't mind the very crappy pic of the item lol I didn't feel like getting a superb shot of it :P Basically I took 4 lightweight fabrics.... white, shiny silver, shiny gold and matte black.... and sewed them onto this plastic stuff that comes in collapsible items like playtents/tunnels etc.... leaving the bottom open so you can reverse it. Silver and white on the outside, gold and black on the inside. Stability could be a bit better...maybe using a thicker plastic whatever it is... but it twists up to a super portable size.

I will have to try it again on a sunny day.... storms today and everything is overcast :P

What do you think though....worth finding a place in my camera bag for it??

It's subtle...but the white casts a slightly blue light, silver light, gold is yellow and the black seems to leave shadows intact but somehow brightens the lights?? Must be some level of reflective??

Here is what it looks like...and here is what it folds down to.

You MADE it? How did you make it? I'd love a DIY project!

I can't remember exactly what I scavenged the plastic outer bits from....but you can find it collapsible toys like tents and tunnels and some mylar toys. We had some pieces of it lying around after one of the kids toys got trashed... it seemed a pity to just throw it out :P I think it's also in some costumes like hats and whatnot. Then I saw some reflectors for sale and got an idea for how big and what shape I wanted it. Cut my 4 pieces of fabric. Then sewed the gold and silver together, facing each other (back sides out)..left a small opening. Pulled it right sides out and sewed up the opening. Did the same thing to the white and black.... but put the plastic in it before sewing it up. Sewed all the way around it just on the inside of that plastic to hold it in place.Then sewed the two pieces together, leaving the bottom open to turn it inside out. Hope that made sense

The bad thing is that unless you can find a good thick flexible plastic... it's a bit flimsy. Hard to work with if you're by yourself... though you could always clip to a tripod or something to hang it. Folder in half once it is sturdy and easy to hold in one hand, but only really good enough for lighting small objects.

I wish I still had some of the plastic stuff lying around.... I think I'd like to have a super small one for photographing insects and flowers.

I will give you props for the DIY aspect, but with the cost of fabric I can't see how it would have been cheaper than just buying one (white/black/gold/silv​er/translucent) that folds up exactly the same way.

This one is 43" diameter and $17.66, but there are lots of options there.

http://www.amazon.com …keywords=5+in+1​+reflector

Well, I made it like 12 years ago. Had the fabric as I sew lots of things like costumes, quilts etc. So it was next to nothing for me to make.

Guitartists wrote in post #15846441
Well, I made it like 12 years ago. Had the fabric as I sew lots of things like costumes, quilts etc. So it was next to nothing for me to make.

Well in that case...job well done.

lol thanks

Thanks for posting this and showing the different results based on what side of the reflector you used. Has reminded me to be more aware of deciding which side to use (as I've just started to use one).

I like the result form the black side best. Not to sure why, but I think it's because it hasn't changed to coloring of the light though out the image.