Comments on: why use a light modifier that is black? http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=black-light-modifier photography by Neil van Niekerk Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:21:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Neil vN http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-22553 Neil vN Wed, 18 May 2011 16:22:47 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-22553 <blockquote>Chris ... I use Art Foam that I buy from an art supply store, like Michaels. And two hairbands. It is decidedly low-key and home-made. This really is about the technique and direction of light, rather than being about a specific device. Neil vN</blockquote>

Chris … I use Art Foam that I buy from an art supply store, like Michaels. And two hairbands.

It is decidedly low-key and home-made.
This really is about the technique and direction of light, rather than being about a specific device.

Neil vN

]]> By: Stephen http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-22449 Stephen Tue, 17 May 2011 14:43:38 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-22449 Chris, If you really want to buy a black modifier, you can buy one here: http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/ Otherwise, a black modifier is simply art craft foam that you can buy at a craft store for about $1.50 USD for a 8"x11" sheet that you can cut to size. Chris,
If you really want to buy a black modifier, you can buy one here:
http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

Otherwise, a black modifier is simply art craft foam that you can buy at a craft store for about $1.50 USD for a 8″x11″ sheet that you can cut to size.

]]> By: Chris http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-22373 Chris Mon, 16 May 2011 11:50:00 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-22373 Neil, How can I purchase a similar product instead of having to make one up? I have looked everywhere on the web and cannot find something similar to your invention, they all have a white backing. Please help :-) Neil,

How can I purchase a similar product instead of having to make one up?
I have looked everywhere on the web and cannot find something similar to your invention, they all have a white backing.

Please help :-)

]]> By: Kirk http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-6444 Kirk Mon, 10 May 2010 03:32:06 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-6444 An add on to my comments. I was showing my wife the different flash modifiers in our bedroom with two large mirror doors. You can take a photo of your self and see how the modifiers reflect light. Gary Fong's does indeed bounce light upwards to the ceiling as well as to the sides. The biggest problem is no contrast and total lack of control. This is sometimes a good thing. An add on to my comments. I was showing my wife the different flash modifiers in our bedroom with two large mirror doors. You can take a photo of your self and see how the modifiers reflect light. Gary Fong’s does indeed bounce light upwards to the ceiling as well as to the sides. The biggest problem is no contrast and total lack of control. This is sometimes a good thing.

]]> By: Kirk http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-6083 Kirk Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:52:20 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-6083 Loved your book. It gets you thinking. Hate it when I can't bounce flash and have to use Larry Foo's (cousin from China) peanut bottle, but it works. Have all of your recommendations: gels, white/black foam with velcro, stofen, and the peanut bottle. You are correct when you say that there is no one solution. I am amazed how many photographers try to bounce flash off of a black church ceiling some 60 ft away. Canon system with 580 ex II gun, studio strobes. I personally don't think that the thick piece of plastic in the can top allows much light upwards. I think it bounces it all over, sides, back, front and very little upwards. I will be using as many of your suggestions that I can during my weddings. thanks for the 411 A book worth reading and studing. Loved your book. It gets you thinking. Hate it when I can’t bounce flash and have to use Larry Foo’s (cousin from China) peanut bottle, but it works. Have all of your recommendations: gels, white/black foam with velcro, stofen, and the peanut bottle. You are correct when you say that there is no one solution.
I am amazed how many photographers try to bounce flash off of a black church ceiling some 60 ft away. Canon system with 580 ex II gun, studio strobes. I personally don’t think that the thick piece of plastic in the can top allows much light upwards. I think it bounces it all over, sides, back, front and very little upwards. I will be using as many of your suggestions that I can during my weddings. thanks for the 411 A book worth reading and studing.

]]> By: Neil http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-4812 Neil Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:21:29 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-4812 <blockquote>Ted .. Michaels art stores carry it. It's called art foam. Neil vN</blockquote>

Ted .. Michaels art stores carry it. It’s called art foam.

Neil vN

]]> By: ted http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-4811 ted Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:02:17 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-4811 Congratulations on such a great and successful site! i just found it and cannot believe how much common sense info you so generously present. Thank you for your sharing. Can you give me an idea of material that the "black foamie thing" can be made from? What are the common everyday names which I can look for in local stores? Many thanks. ted Congratulations on such a great and successful site! i just found it and cannot believe how much common sense info you so generously present.
Thank you for your sharing.
Can you give me an idea of material that the “black foamie thing” can be made from? What are the common everyday names which I can look for in local stores?
Many thanks.
ted

]]> By: Das schwarze Schaumding — Tangents - German translation http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-4810 Das schwarze Schaumding — Tangents - German translation Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:09:48 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-4810 [...] Lies auch diesen weiterführenden Artikel darüber, warum ich ein Stück schwarzen Schaumstoff nehme und keinen weißen. [...] [...] Lies auch diesen weiterführenden Artikel darüber, warum ich ein Stück schwarzen Schaumstoff nehme und keinen weißen. [...]

]]> By: Sanele Chadwick http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-4809 Sanele Chadwick Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:16:40 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-4809 Neil, I can't thank you enough for the insight you have so willingly shared on your website. You are an inspiration for a young and enthusiastic photographer from New Zealand who is always experimenting with lighting. I can't agree enough with you how you describe a photographer should be 'adaptable' with their lighting. I've been trying to find one of these 'black foamie things' for a while now in NZ and can't! Still on the lookout thought :) Cheers Neil! Sanele Chadwick Neil,

I can’t thank you enough for the insight you have so willingly shared on your website. You are an inspiration for a young and enthusiastic photographer from New Zealand who is always experimenting with lighting. I can’t agree enough with you how you describe a photographer should be ‘adaptable’ with their lighting.

I’ve been trying to find one of these ‘black foamie things’ for a while now in NZ and can’t! Still on the lookout thought :)

Cheers Neil!
Sanele Chadwick

]]> By: Fred - San Antonio, TX http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/12/22/black-light-modifier/#comment-4808 Fred - San Antonio, TX Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:54:57 +0000 http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/?p=1928#comment-4808 Really great stuff here. I was feeling kind of stupid, now I realize I'm not stupid, I just have a lot to learn. I'm okay with that. Thanks for taking the time to help this group understand the dynamics of flash photography. I'll be at my computer for the next two weeks trying to absorb it all. Really great stuff here. I was feeling kind of stupid, now I realize I’m not stupid, I just have a lot to learn. I’m okay with that.

Thanks for taking the time to help this group understand the dynamics of flash photography. I’ll be at my computer for the next two weeks trying to absorb it all.

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