I'm going to try and be as diplomatic as possible and not mention any company names in this post. After studying high end model photographers and their tools of the trade, I found the need for a light diffuser in order to really start controlling light. It now seems incredibly obvious why the big model photographers use these, but until I really got into this it really never occurred to me, I just thought I wasn't all that good (be nice). So I started shopping around and found that companies are making these sun light diffusers, same size as mine (6'x8') for around $800. I can't afford that right now so I set out to build one on my own. So please let me know if there is any interest in this product. Here is mine in use at last Saturdays Salton Sea shoot

I forgot to mention the price would be WAAAAAY less than the companies out there making them now. Price isn't set yet but probably around half their price??????

I thought about something stationary here on my property. I typically do seniors and I have the moms hold reflectors or hold light stands when windy but to have them hold something like that isn't really practical for me. I am still interested in hearing what you got. Thought I would throw that info out there since others might think the way I do.

I bet it makes a huge difference. Can we see some of the results from the shoot?

i heart that thing mark

forget posting pics I just seen some for your osp shoot, those are great!!!

There is an absolute interest in your diffuser. I've always held off b/c of the price too. Can't wait to hear what you have planned.....

I too had looked at the flyswatter ( ) but it was too pricey for my liking...

I think it would help greatly with midday weddings in the hot australian sun... they kill when there is no shade - eg on a beach.

Love to see what you come up with... there needs to be a cheaper alternative!!

J

There is J, there is. I need more opinions so I kow what to do. I'll watch this for a couple days and see what people say.

I'm a big fan of do it yourself projects and after seeing a picture of yours in the Sultan Sea thread I got to thinking about using some lightweight tent poles and the arm of a pole saw to build my own.

I've been toying with the idea of tent poles also, but the ridgidity and support has been an issue so far. I'm still considering it though if I can work around some of the issues.

Mark-
While I did not try out your diffuser, I know that when I assisted on a beach shoot, the one we were using really kinka sucked. It was hard to put together, unweildy, hard to control....... That's why I wouldn't even consider it; an impractical piece of crap I can't control? Um, no thanks. Besides, I usually am shooting solo and on the fly, but.......
No one seemed to have much of a problem holding it (too much holding for you, but there were a few others). And the results? Dude, seriously--look at what people shot.
The proof is in the pudding

Hey - cool!! Nice work!

I made my own too out of small pvc pipes that you can put together to make different sizes and some cheap white material from a material place. but for those who aren't so hands on, this is a great option - Best of luck!

Mark,
I got a chance to experience it last time at the Salton Sea TTD, it's a gives a great ambient. My only complain is top heavy. If you can make the top frame with carbon fiber tube, probably that help.

I would love to learn more! I have been craving one of these, but they are awkward and expensive. I would need highly skilled assistants to build and maintain one of the commercially available ones.

DIY sounds great!

Mark, I'd love plans to make this. Suggestions:

1. Weight, definitely bringing it down somehow
2. A "kickstand" of some sorts to help support it
3. Casters maybe would help, and a kickstand-style tripod base with two rolling legs that can pop out to help support it when moving it around

Or maybe you give the plans to what you made, and let people try and improve on it on their own, and then that knowledge will get passed around until we have a perfect sunshade!

At school (brooks) they used to make us use something called a p-22 - i think it was made by bogen. I still have one somewhere, although i havent used it in ages. anyways, it did pretty much the same thing but was way cheaper. i hope that helps somewhat.

When I was taking photography classes, my instructor taught us about all the cool photo stuff we could make with products from Wal-Mart. My first reflector was a $4 windshield sun shade. Of course, I love my lastolite and you couldn't pay me to use the windshield thing again - but it's better than nothing when you are broke, getting started, and just playing around. He also taught us how to make our own light diffusers - and I'm somewhat embarassed to admit that I still have mine. It is a HULA HOOP with a round piece of white, sheer fabric hot glued on. I don't use it b/c it is too big to haul around. Would the one that you are making be collapsible or something?

jill,

it does break down. it didn't take mark that long to put it together either. that thing rocked!

DIY plans for $400? There's NO WAY I'd pay 1/2 price for a 'recipe', basically. Even if it were a kit with the supplies included it'd be too much. I'd think that 'plans' could cost $30-40, but they'd have to be gooood.

Honestly, and you KNOW I ya, for this type of DIY idea, it'd be fitting as a free video tutorial like others have done... JMC paint-with-light and album creation, Davide Greene's fashion lighting, Becker's daily video spotlights showing us all kinds of tricks, and the guy that did The Better Bounce Card demo (he shows you how or you can buy it from him).