A couple years ago I saw an unusual white reflector used in a studio for clamshell lighting. It was a long rectangle whIch had a flat section in front of model and the left and right sections angled up about 45 degrees, providing bounced fill from below and on the sides, and it had its own stand. It produced an interesting reflection/catchlight in the eye. Anyone know what it is and where to find it? I cant find it online again. Thanks!

Bev

You probably saw a Triflector from Lastolite.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300452-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR2933SWL_Triflector_MkII_Kit.html

Gregg Heckler wrote:
You probably saw a Triflector from Lastolite.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300452-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR2933SWL_Triflector_MkII_Kit.html



Thanks, that's interesting, too... but no, the one I saw was a solid, continuous white rectangle with what seemed like two creases where each end (1/3) angled up. The thing was divided into 3 areas, but no separation between them. Imagine taking a rectangle of cardboard and 1/3 of the way from each end you have a crease and you fold those ends/wings up at 45 degrees. The stand supported the base and the angled ends/wings, too.

If it's just a passiv reflector it may have been a DIY-job and, using cardboard or foamcore easy to reproduce.
It does sound a bit like hardbox i've once seen on ebay-de by Balcar, though that one had a built in flashhead or even monolight. In an odd way it looked a bit like a diamond with the "wings" beeing more like triangles and additional smaller, flat triangular wings on the wings themself. And i bet it would have produced a verry interessting catchlight in the eyes too. It might have been even called blabla-diamond-whatever.
It was cheap enough to buy it just for the fun of it, but the seller refused to ship to Switzerland ... again

I couldn't help googeling. As it turns out, the Balcar Diamond Box ist a Beauty-Dish, but in an old thread E-Vener discribes what i meant. I'm pretty shure, because while writing i thought reflectors/mirrors and a hole to shoot through, but wasn't sure anymore.

You must scroll down
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/835412/2

Just look at the odd shape here
http://www.photospecialist.co.uk/product/23375/balcar-prismalite-soft-box-v-plb-65.html

and the odd reflectors here
http://www.blk.gr/searchb.php?status=&kind=&trade=96&model=

or here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Balcar-PrismaLight-R-PLB100-Alien-Bees-White-Lightning-/270778751927

Beverly Guhl wrote: ...It was a long rectangle whIch had a flat section in front of model and the left and right sections angled up about 45 degrees... It produced an interesting reflection/catchlight in the eye. Anyone know what it is and where to find it? I cant find it online again.

Not sure what you saw, but here is something similar:

http://www.theeyelighter.com/The_Set_Up.html

Something home-made along those lines isn't too difficult to construct if time is less precious than money:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22xwGhk3Kho

On the other hand, if you have the budget for $500, the Eyelighter is very good looking and appears to be well designed and well built.

visualist wrote:
I couldn't help googeling. As it turns out, the Balcar Diamond Box ist a Beauty-Dish, but in an old thread E-Vener discribes what i meant. I'm pretty shure, because while writing i thought reflectors/mirrors and a hole to shoot through, but wasn't sure anymore.

You must scroll down
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/835412/2

Just look at the odd shape here
http://www.photospecialist.co.uk/product/23375/balcar-prismalite-soft-box-v-plb-65.html

and the odd reflectors here
http://www.blk.gr/searchb.php?status=&kind=&trade=96&model=

or here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Balcar-PrismaLight-R-PLB100-Alien-Bees-White-Lightning-/270778751927


Thanks for providing these. They're fascinating, but still not what I saw. By "reflector" I mean a somewhat flat product without a light source of its own, a bit light flats or reflective discs, but it was definitely a product and not DIY. Appreciate the help!!

BrianO wrote:
Beverly Guhl wrote: ...It was a long rectangle whIch had a flat section in front of model and the left and right sections angled up about 45 degrees... It produced an interesting reflection/catchlight in the eye. Anyone know what it is and where to find it? I cant find it online again.

Not sure what you saw, but here is something similar:

http://www.theeyelighter.com/The_Set_Up.html

Something home-made along those lines isn't too difficult to construct if time is less precious than money:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22xwGhk3Kho

On the other hand, if you have the budget for $500, the Eyelighter is very good looking and appears to be well designed and well built.


Thanks, Brian! This is close, and this looks great, especially the DIY one. I guess I could use foam core and cut a rectangle and score it so it folds up, adhere the space blanket as the reflective surface, then either use the idea in the video for attaching it to my tripod. Just not sure about the fishing line, but maybe that wouldn't show in a photo? Very much appreciate you sharing those links!!!
bev

Beverly Guhl wrote: Thanks, Brian! This is close, and this looks great, especially the DIY one.

You're very welcome.

Beverly Guhl wrote: ... I guess I could use foam core and cut a rectangle and score it so it folds up, adhere the space blanket as the reflective surface, then either use the idea in the video for attaching it to my tripod. Just not sure about the fishing line, but maybe that wouldn't show in a photo?

If you're shooting from close in, you could be shooting right over the top of the line; from further back, though, it might show, and would require cloning out in Photoshop.

Instead of fishing line from the top, a couple of small stands (like music stands with the "tables" removed; or cheap eBay light stands) could hold up each end from the bottom.

BrianO wrote:
Beverly Guhl wrote: Thanks, Brian! This is close, and this looks great, especially the DIY one.

You're very welcome.

Beverly Guhl wrote: ... I guess I could use foam core and cut a rectangle and score it so it folds up, adhere the space blanket as the reflective surface, then either use the idea in the video for attaching it to my tripod. Just not sure about the fishing line, but maybe that wouldn't show in a photo?

If you're shooting from close in, you could be shooting right over the top of the line; from further back, though, it might show, and would require cloning out in Photoshop.

Instead of fishing line from the top, a couple of small stands (like music stands with the "tables" removed; or cheap eBay light stands) could hold up each end from the bottom.


Yes, I was thinking the same thing! I just phoned the local photo store. I remembered I'd seen this reflector at their photo expo. He said he remembered it, and that Westcott was the only lighting exhibitor there that year, and he thinks that particular reflector "never caught on" and they don't produce it anymore. He could not remember the name of it either. I've just sent Westcott an inquiry, just in case; it's not on their web site. I will let everyone know if I learn anything else about it. Meanwhile, I will be making my own! THANKS!!

Beverly Guhl wrote: ...I just phoned the local photo store. I remembered I'd seen this reflector at their photo expo. He said he remembered it, and that Westcott was the only lighting exhibitor there that year, and he thinks that particular reflector "never caught on" and they don't produce it anymore. He could not remember the name of it either.

Ah, you're probably remembering the Westcott Tri-flector 2930. I still see them selling used or old-unused-stock from time to time. Here's a listing from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-2930-Tri-Flector/dp/B0010CGZJ2

It's similar to the Lastolite version mentioned above, but the sections fit a little closer together and are shaped differently.

BrianO wrote:
Beverly Guhl wrote: ...I just phoned the local photo store. I remembered I'd seen this reflector at their photo expo. He said he remembered it, and that Westcott was the only lighting exhibitor there that year, and he thinks that particular reflector "never caught on" and they don't produce it anymore. He could not remember the name of it either.

Ah, you're probably remembering the Westcott Tri-flector 2930. I still see them selling used or old-unused-stock from time to time. Here's a listing from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-2930-Tri-Flector/dp/B0010CGZJ2

Close, but not the same. The one I saw was a solid piece with ends that folded (had a crease in the material), and the stand supported the center and the ends, i.e. there was metal coming up to the ends, too. Maybe the camera store guy was thinking of the Tri-flector, but I did not remember Westcott being the vendor, so who knows. I will find this thing. Thanks!!!

Clamshell lighting used to be my go-to setup for beauty lighting when I was shooting cosmetic ads. I would urge you to consider using a softbox instead of a reflector. You have precise control over the light and will achieve much better results with a softbox. A strip-light works nicely (see link). Photoflex has a similar modifier for a more reasonable price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/230536-REG/Profoto_254524_505_704_Softbox_with.html

Deezie wrote:
Clamshell lighting used to be my go-to setup for beauty lighting when I was shooting cosmetic ads. I would urge you to consider using a softbox instead of a reflector. You have precise control over the light and will achieve much better results with a softbox. A strip-light works nicely (see link). Photoflex has a similar modifier for a more reasonable price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/230536-REG/Profoto_254524_505_704_Softbox_with.html


Thanks! I have been using umbrellas and soft boxes for the clamshell setup, but was curious when I saw the reflector. I have never gotten good results with a reflector in that setup, but I wondered if a larger reflector that wrapped a bit more was better. You may have just confirmed for me that I don't need to bother with a reflector! Thanks much!