DIY: Has anyone replicated the LastoLite Triflector from foamcore?

I thought about making a home made Lastolite Triflector out of foamcore. Has anyone made one and used it in a studio?

ProjectNineFive wrote in post #10971681
I thought about making a home made Lastolite Triflector out of foamcore. Has anyone made one and used it in a studio?

Hi there,

Prior to buying the Lastolite Tri-Lite (I believe it's Westcott that uses the name Triflector) I made a DIY version with white foam core to see the effect and to see if I liked it. I fell in love with it but I just didn't feel like making the arms or rigging up a DIY to accomplish what Lasotlite is doing well.... expensive for what it does but hard to find a similar device for less.

I also wanted the Lastolilte panels so it could travel and be used on location. A lot of people forget that they can use it with ambient light and until you've tried it, blending white with silver panels, you haven't really seen how cool it can be.

No, I don't work for Lastolite.. LOLOL

I just happen to really like the Tri-Lite and although I do feel it's overpriced, the same could be said about the majority of the modifiers I use. I wanted that tool in my toolbox and justified it. Some can't.

Having said all that, if you can make something that works for you and gives you the full range of adjustment then please share it so others can see. With foamcore you can have white, silver (painted or covered), black for negative fill... and any combination of those.

I use foamcore all the time

Foamcore wrapped in silver or gold paper for contrasty/warmer contrasty light

I just ghetto rig it to a light stand with a piece of tape and away we go.

I kinda used it with 4 panels in this shot, though it's not very well executed. Used a PLM to blow out the seamless from behind the model.

oops...correction...I used a 580 ex above and pointed down to light the foamcore. *not natural light in these two. Was wondering about the hot side on her cheek.
I like how it creates multiple catchlights for literally $1.50

You can't see it terribly well in this shot, plus I screwed up and shotin Adobe colorbalance instead of rgb so the colors are a bit tinted, though you get the idea with the lighting.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Nice shots Karl.

If I didn't need or want something that packs, stores and travels well, I'd be using foam core a lot more. I find white foam core to be some of the softest light to return from a reflector.

I just didn't find it practical in the Tri-Lite application. Like I said, it's all about the ability to adjust in any and all directions easily and quickly.

TMR Design wrote in post #10971765
Hi there,

I also wanted the Lastolilte panels so it could travel and be used on location. A lot of people forget that they can use it with ambient light and until you've tried it, blending white with silver panels, you haven't really seen how cool it can be.

can you give an example shot where you did that and explain to me (a newb) why you would do that? thanks a bunch!!


also, 200 bucks isn't that bad considering it should last "forever"

blurry_image wrote in post #10974292
can you give an example shot where you did that and explain to me (a newb) why you would do that? thanks a bunch!!


also, 200 bucks isn't that bad considering it should last "forever"

Hi Chris,

I wish I did have a sample to post. Unfortunately when I had the opportunity to use the Tri-Lite this way it wasn't on my own shoot and I don't have the images.

The reason we mixed white and silver was to balance soft light with a more specular light. We used the silver panel on the center and directed as much light as we could get under the chin and on the neck. We couldn't bring it up real close due to the way we wanted to frame the shot. The 2 white panels were used on the left and right sides with one side further away from the face than the other to keep some contrast between highlight and shadow.

TMR Design wrote in post #10975257
Hi Chris,

I wish I did have a sample to post. Unfortunately when I had the opportunity to use the Tri-Lite this way it wasn't on my own shoot and I don't have the images.

The reason we mixed white and silver was to balance soft light with a more specular light. We used the silver panel on the center and directed as much light as we could get under the chin and on the neck. We couldn't bring it up real close due to the way we wanted to frame the shot. The 2 white panels were used on the left and right sides with one side further away from the face than the other to keep some contrast between highlight and shadow.

Was there a reasonable difference when you did this compared to if you were to do it with 3 white panels? That sounds pretty cool

TMR Design wrote in post #10975257
Hi Chris,

I wish I did have a sample to post. Unfortunately when I had the opportunity to use the Tri-Lite this way it wasn't on my own shoot and I don't have the images.

The reason we mixed white and silver was to balance soft light with a more specular light. We used the silver panel on the center and directed as much light as we could get under the chin and on the neck. We couldn't bring it up real close due to the way we wanted to frame the shot. The 2 white panels were used on the left and right sides with one side further away from the face than the other to keep some contrast between highlight and shadow.

Makes sense - thanks Rob!

So much more than just a DIY reflector video...
http://vimeo.com/13803​951

Can I link to another Forum here ?

What if it means I am plagiarising myself ??

I really haven't got much of an idea what I'm doing as far as photography goes, this was done when I had even less of a clue !!!

On PhotoCamel.

The results on PhotoCamel...........

Clicky Linky Thingy.

Notice the unusual catch-lights in the bottom of her eyes !!

YMMV !!

Robert,

Which set would you suggest buying first? White/gold or white/silver?

TMR Design wrote in post #10971765
Hi there,

Prior to buying the Lastolite Tri-Lite (I believe it's Westcott that uses the name Triflector) I made a DIY version with white foam core to see the effect and to see if I liked it. I fell in love with it but I just didn't feel like making the arms or rigging up a DIY to accomplish what Lasotlite is doing well.... expensive for what it does but hard to find a similar device for less.

I also wanted the Lastolilte panels so it could travel and be used on location. A lot of people forget that they can use it with ambient light and until you've tried it, blending white with silver panels, you haven't really seen how cool it can be.

No, I don't work for Lastolite.. LOLOL

I just happen to really like the Tri-Lite and although I do feel it's overpriced, the same could be said about the majority of the modifiers I use. I wanted that tool in my toolbox and justified it. Some can't.

Having said all that, if you can make something that works for you and gives you the full range of adjustment then please share it so others can see. With foamcore you can have white, silver (painted or covered), black for negative fill... and any combination of those.

MrScott wrote in post #10984469
So much more than just a DIY reflector video...
http://vimeo.com/13803​951

Awesome video!

skrezyna wrote in post #11288509
Robert,

Which set would you suggest buying first? White/gold or white/silver?

Hi skrezyna,

I'm not a big fan of Gold reflectors and use them very infrequently. I own and really like the white/silver panels. Unless you know you like the effect of the gold reflector I wouldn't get it.