Stabilizing a Reflector

Hi All,

I want to go out to a craft store today and pick up one of those white foam boards that people often use for a nice little makeshift reflector. My question is: without an assistant holding it up for you, what's the best way to keep it standing up where you want it?

This weekend I am going to be photographing some various food dishes on a table. I'd like to use my umbrella speedlite setup as the main light and use the foam as a reflector.

EDIT: I'm not looking to have the reflector mounted on a light stand or anything, just sitting on the table near the food.

Thanks,
Randy

RandMan wrote in post #18174689
Hi All,

I want to go out to a craft store today and pick up one of those white foam boards that people often use for a nice little makeshift reflector. My question is: without an assistant holding it up for you, what's the best way to keep it standing up where you want it?

This weekend I am going to be photographing some various food dishes on a table. I'd like to use my umbrella speedlite setup as the main light and use the foam as a reflector.

Thanks,
Randy

Hi, One of these;
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_275_Mini_Clip_​Clamp.html
on one of these:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …250_Long_Double​_Stud.html
itself held in the outboard Grip of - one of these:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_master_40_c_st​and_w.html

or, of course, anything with equivalent functionality ..

a cheaper setup could be based around one of these:
https://www.amazon.com …fRID=DSJ7708PVA​VH3RYY7SZT

OceanRipple* wrote in post #18174703
Hi, One of these;
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_275_Mini_Clip_​Clamp.html
on one of these:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …250_Long_Double​_Stud.html
itself held in the outboard Grip of - one of these:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_master_40_c_st​and_w.html

or, of course, anything with equivalent functionality ..

a cheaper setup could be based around one of these:
https://www.amazon.com …fRID=DSJ7708PVA​VH3RYY7SZT

Thanks for the reply - I just went back and edited my original post because I left out a significant detail: I just want the reflector kind of sitting on the table rather than mounting it on a stand.

Oops!

Foam core- Score it with a sharp knife which will allow it to bend along the score line and you can simply set it on the table anyway you like. Alternatively, I often use a roll of paper towels as a support to lean smaller pieces on.

Another option are the "frogs" that go in the bottom of floor arrangement.
Also available at Michaels. They are a lead weight with lots of sharp pointy spines sticking up.
They come in different sizes.

HERE

I use A clamps (spring clamps) to make legs for foam core. Cheap and works great.

These are perfect for table top photography.

http://www.michaels.co​m …Cpdv%7Cm%7Cprd%​7C10133201

You can use the "inside"(all three panels) to wrap a lot of light around the subject, or you can turn the board around and use just the center panel for more directional fill. I use both black and white ones, and have even shot a speedlight through the white ones once or twice.

I like Bob's suggestion for clever improvisation. That said, real grip gear takes care of foam core positioning in all possible cases and dimensions. I consider foam core and grip gear to be essential for studio photography, and elements that will deployed continuously. Lifetime investments.

Foam core. It's probably pennies. And here I am spending bucko bucks on reflectors and holders.

A second piece of foam core taped to the first to form a V (like a mini V Flat). You can stand it where you want it and even use it as an open V to reflect light off both boards if that is appropriate for your image. Use white tape and it can double as a backdrop if slightly out of focus. Get the kind that's white on one side and black on the other, use black tape on the black side and you have a great black backdrop plus negative (light absorbing) reflector.

DIY foam board holders https://m.youtube.com/​watch?v=FJlvwCQh1F4