Question About Light Absorption

This is a question that I've been curious about for a while. It pertains to light absorption and factors that will contribute to greater absorption.

The question is this: Since we know that black absorbs the most light then I'll use black for this question. If I use black seamless it absorbs and reflects a certain amount of light. The surface of the paper is smooth with no texture or thickness to it. So.. if I then use a heavy black velvet curtain that is pleated and has texture and contour, does the addded surface area of the folds and texture add to its absorption?

An analogy to better explain.. When I design and build a recording studio one of the ways that we control the reflection of sound is to absorb it using various products designed to soak up huge amounts of sound and reduce reflection. Acoustic tiles that have large peaks and valleys with great depth are used because the design allows them to absorb about 400% more sound than a flat tile of the same size. These peaks and valleys are actually increasing the surface area, allowing for this dramatic increase in sound absorption.

Does the same thing apply to light? Will a textured black surface absorb more light then a completely flat surface?

Velvet is excellent for light absorption. Best I've seen, actually.

To answer your last question, YEP! It works the same way as the acoustic tiles. There's no large reflective surface on the velvet to bounce the light back. The paper is flat and smooth...might as well be a reflector!

Thanks very much Ronald. I wasn't sure if the same principles applied to light. So black fabric or black velvet would be a much better light absorber than black seamless paper.

Oh yeah.

The challenge of velvet is that unless you can hang it absolutely flat (as if mounted on a hard backing), the subtle rolls and folds will result in differing surface reflectivity that can be seen in your photograph.

A-clamps, brotha. 8)

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2876784
A-clamps, brotha. 8)

Setup pic time

I use muslin. I've got velvet drapes over the huge windows in my studio, but they're a burgundy color. I actually use them for a backdrop here and there, but they're not stretched flat..just "wavy", the way they hang. I don't have any problems with reflection, but it wouldn't much matter if I did with that color. I use muslin for my black, though. I don't stretch that either...it's just that it's a 10x24', so I just have them stand further away and don't spill light on the backdrop. It's that simple.

I don't have velvet but I do have a deep blue, heavy fabric curtain I use as a backdrop. I think I'm going to do some experimenting.

Those tiles only absorb a certain range of frequencies.

echo wrote in post #2882913
Those tiles only absorb a certain range of frequencies.

Yes I understand that. And there are tiles that absorb different frequencies. I was making reference to the principle by which they work, which is to maximize surface area and absorb up to 400% more sound than a flat tile of that size.

Hi Robert! I did add a smiley - was just being a pedantic so and so!