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Hi All,

I think I need Foamcore but I am not sure

I want to get a large board which I can use as either a reflector in an outdoor shot scenario but also something I can use in the studio as a backdrop for clothing catalogue shots (yes, I am still on that topic and still trying to perfect it!!!)

Is Foamcore what I am after and if so where do you get it in Sydney?

Also I imagine I would need something along the lines of 6' x 4', This sounds about the rights size but I am wondering how I am going to transport it when used as a reflector/bounce?

So... first thing first is Fomacore what I am looking for or is there a better product (without the $$$ price tag) on the market which I should be looking for?

Try this or similar

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/5-IN-1-110-CM-COLLAPSIBLE-REFLECTOR-Disc-Studio-Light_W0QQitemZ230258635743QQihZ013QQcategoryZ30088QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yeah, no, I have one of these already.

What I am after is something that I can use as a reflector/bounce (maybe reflector is the wrong word here?) but also us ein the studio as a hard backdrop for clothes to lye on (and not be reflective at all... does that make sense?

I think it is Foamcore, I just can't seem to find it in Sydney on Google.

yup its foamcore

not sure where to buy it but someone mentioned you can get 3 metre high ones from bunnings

if you want to get the pro ones go to Baltronix 42 maddox st, alexandria but foamcore is foamcore so theres no good reason to get it at a premium studio retailer unless theres no other source

W00DY wrote:Yeah, no, I have one of these already.

What I am after is something that I can use as a reflector/bounce (maybe reflector is the wrong word here?) but also us ein the studio as a hard backdrop for clothes to lye on (and not be reflective at all... does that make sense?

I think it is Foamcore, I just can't seem to find it in Sydney on Google.

White is reflective and black absorbs light. What you have asked for above is a contradiction in terms. Why not use a draped backdrop of muslin for the studio shots which will give you a stable background.

Andrew
since you are in the hills area there is a photo framing place in Gladstone road Castle hill where I had some mat boards made up for some photo club entries and he used white foam core as the back board
so you should be able to pickup uncut sheets from him
I can't remember the the number but the flag in this google map shows where his unit is in the building in the satellite view (to help find it the complex is used as the entry for the hotel next door)

map

try art stores as well

I bought mine from a Framers/Art store. Makes an excellent reflector but is a bugger to store.

sirhc55 wrote:

W00DY wrote:Yeah, no, I have one of these already.

What I am after is something that I can use as a reflector/bounce (maybe reflector is the wrong word here?) but also us ein the studio as a hard backdrop for clothes to lye on (and not be reflective at all... does that make sense?

I think it is Foamcore, I just can't seem to find it in Sydney on Google.

White is reflective and black absorbs light. What you have asked for above is a contradiction in terms. Why not use a draped backdrop of muslin for the studio shots which will give you a stable background.

Actually, you can buy foamcore at Officeworks, and you can buy it black on one side and white on the other. Size is something like 2 x 4 feet, and the cost is insignificant.

The surface has a slight sheen; it's not totally non-reflective. It can be used as a background, as a reflector, as a subtractor, but yes, it's a real PITA to store. Definitely worth having a couple of sheets around for shooting small products, although a light tent is still a better investment.

Thanks for all the replies guys... I called my framer and can get some of him (could be the same framer the Firsty mentioned?)

The reason why I want it as a backdrop is because the clothes lye flat so having something, like Gary points out, that is not totally reflective helps control the background. I plan on having the foamcore board on a slight angle with the clothes lying on top. This makes it easier to light as well.

@ Gary - A do have a light tent but it is not big enough for some of the clothes and to be honest is a PITA to use if you need to shoot directly down. I figure the foamcore board will be more user friendly

Cheers.

if you want a large white surface, go to bunnings and get a piece of wood that's white on one side. Lay that flat on the ground and then place the clothing on it. You can use the foam core as a reflector then.

is this what you are after http://www.frameco-online.com/shopaust/category19_1.htm,

I used foamcore to take a photo of my autumn leaves http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32413 that i bought from a local Art shop in melbourne.