Today I bring you a very manual article. I will explain step by step how to make your own reflectors at home and, also, with a surprise, it is very simple, you need very simple materials and you do not need to be a very qualified person to achieve it, it is easy, it is easy.
But before getting to the heart of the matter, I’ll better explain what a reflector is and what it is for.
- A reflector is a surface that reflects light.
- Adding more light to a subject or filling distracting shadows.
- Serves as a second light source.
If you want to know more, you can see here that it’s not just about professionals.
These are the materials you need to make your reflectors
As you can see, you’ll have it all at home, I’m sure you’ll just have to buy the papers and cardboard and get some cards. I took advantage of those who had a seat for the car.
Let’s see step by step how to make the reflectors:
Mark the circle (or shape you want for your reflector) with the pencil on the cardboard of the size you’ve chosen. These are 50cm in diameter and I used, as I said before, a rope to make a handcrafted compass.
You can use a mold or the same system, of your choice
It’s best to cut it with a cutter, be careful not to cut, right?
Once you’ve cut a cardboard you can use it as a template for the next one, place it on the other cardboard, mark it with pencil or pen and cut it back with the cutter, you already have your two cardboard circles (or any shape you choose)
Be sure to cover the entire surface of the glue, especially the center and edges. Like I said, you can use the glue of your choice. I tried three types and retained the comfort and results of the bar glue.
Spread the paper you want to start with on a flat surface (table, floor, etc. ), for example white cardboard, and place the cardboard on the side you’ve coated with glue.
Press well to stick all over the sides, if you want, you can turn it over and go all over the surface with a cloth or towel so that the edges stick well.
Using a cutter, trim what’s left of the cardboard. Another option I tried is to cut the cardboard first and then paste it, but this gives worse results (see the image below the finished reflector and arrows), unless you have managed to mark and cut a perfect circle on both cardboard and cardboard or reflective paper.
Now, re-cover the free part of the glue box, I remind you to insist on the edges. Spread out the black cardboard and glue the cardboard you just pasted, don’t forget to go over the surface with a cloth, gently pressing to make sure it sticks well.
You already have a white reflector on one side and black on the other. Black is not a reflector, but is included in the sets of reflectors for the opposite effect, blocking the light if necessary.
Like I said, I give you arrows so you can see what I mean by who gives the worst results, first cut and then paste, it is best to remove the leftover edges with the cutter once glued.
Alternatively, you can cover with duct tape or insulating tape to make sure the edges don’t come out. The arrow at the bottom left indicates a test I did.
At the moment I preferred to leave them like this, if then I see that the glue bar wasn’t good enough, did I pass the tape or an insulating tape?.
Now, with the other box, repeat the same operation, on the one hand with the silver reflector and on the other with the golden reflector.
And you’ve got them! Try to spread the paper well as it is usually very thin and tends to make folds as you see in silver. You’re trying to remove them by rubbing them, even though this isn’t a serious problem?
And the surprise I promised them in the title, I must admit, it was accidental, but with the cardboard I had left when I cut the circle, I realized I could make a diffuser.
To do this I used white silk paper (which I already had at home but I would have liked to buy it anyway), I put glue on the edges of the circle, I pasted the silk paper spreading it well and put some duct tape in a section because, because it was unexpected, it hadn’t measured and it was very fair.
Finally, I cut the leftover paper with the cutter, that’s it!I already have my announcer. In addition, I took advantage of the that it had a handle-like slot to lift the box and therefore serves to maintain the diffuser.
If you are more perfectionist, you have time and you feel like it, you can paint the cardboard white, it will definitely look more presentable and beautiful. Will it reflect the light, too?
To see what they can do, here are some examples
Yes, it’s in the same place at the same time, the only difference was whether or not it was used diffuser or reflector, it’s worth a try, isn’t it?
Effectively, it can be purchased and, in addition, it is a fairly inexpensive accessory. Then why do it at home? Well, there are several reasons:
The disadvantage of making them home is that they do not bend like the ones you buy, are flexible and can be folded, put a cover and carry very little.
What’s going on? If you don’t have time to make your reflectors, you prefer the convenience of keeping them bent or for whatever reason, and you decide to buy them, you can always resort to ordering them with one click;).
I hope this tutorial was helpful to you. If so, I’ll ask you to share it on your favorite social network Could one of your contacts wait to be enlightened ?. Thank you and I’ll see you soon!