Hi all! I need to make some diffusion panels. These panels will be free standing and not in direct contact with my Alien Bees. Can ya'll recommend a good fabric for this project? Thanks!!
I use fluroscent panels that in another life are used for ceilings in offices and the like. I got them from Home Depot for about 4 dollars (in US). Other options are a white sheet for a kid's room as it is heat resistant, although it shouldnt be as much of a problem with AlienBees.
How about silk? Might not have quite the amount of diffusion you're going for, but I imagine you could double the layers to achieve a broader light spread. I would think the smoothness of the fabric will give a nice, even fall-off.
I'm gonna bump this because I just made a light tent. Should I go ahead and use a white flat sheet to cover the frame as per the instructions? Or is there a different type of fabric that would work better? Cheaper is better, but better for not too much more is best.
In the industry that I have claimed my career in, we use a dynamic range of stuff from paper to fabric.
Fabric ranges from Muslin both off white and white, Silk both white and black, Nets of different gages, Lavender of different thicknesses.
Paper ranges from 1000 H, to 250, 251, 252, Hampshire Frost, Grids, Opal, Spun, the list goes on.
The thing to remember is that it really does not matter what diffusion you use. You are just trying to slow the light down. Just remember that the lighter the diffusion fabric or paper, the more spread of light you will get, but more light will go through. The thicker the diffusion, the less spread you will get, but the less light will go through.
Cotton sheets prolly will work fine, but yes they would not let a lot of light through.
The Sunday news paper I have seen used for diffusion before for lights. It worked great, but, it has a short life span.
HOME DEPOT IS THE POOR MANS LIGHTING SOURCE, and a fabric store is the poor mans diffusion source.
HOME DEPOT IS THE POOR MANS LIGHTING SOURCE, and a fabric store is the poor mans diffusion source.
And I am a poor man! I spent less than $10 on the frame and over $40 for the lights. But I got a few of the daylight halogens so I think it's worth it. I think I may use some paper that I have for now (a huge sheet from the craft store that I've been draping over my lights). Thanks for the advice.
