Holding Reflectors In Studio and Out

Hi Everyone,

I'm a product photographer and have always done my shoots outdoors (vintage bicycles) but have started to consider bringing them indoors as well. I've had need for reflectors in the past (mainly, black for removing shine/shadow) when shooting outdoors and anticipate this to continue in a studio setting.
I haven't yet purchased reflectors but seem to gravitate to the 5-in-1, 42-43" reflectors but also would like a stand to go with them that is durable and useful to take outdoors and just at home indoors. Can anyone suggest a brand/model or kit? I'd like to not spend more than $100 and ideally, that'd come with the reflectors. But, for the right stand, I'd probably go about that high.

Any suggestions?

I like those foldable reflectors… inexpensive and long lasting. More often, though, I use foam core board. No stand beats an assistant who is patient, steady, and takes direction.

Good suggestion on the foamcore, @BrianShaw. Do you find there is any noticable difference between the light on the fabric foldables vs the foam core? Since the foldables are made for photography, I'm just curious if there is extra shine or some other factor.
As for an assistant, I like that school of thought though I'm far, far from that point in life

This item is just beyond your price point but C Stands are the best for holding and positioning reflectors, gobos and scrims.


Don't forget sandbags (play sand in a heavy pillowcase works fine)!

Kino said:

This item is just beyond your price point but C Stands are the best for holding and positioning reflectors, gobos and scrims.

https://www.adorama.com/fplsc.html

Don't forget sandbags (play sand in a heavy pillowcase works fine)!

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Thanks! Great suggestions. It may be worth the extra cash to make sure the job is done right.
One question. How do you clip your reflectors/foam core? Maybe I'm missing something incredibly obvious...

Despite_it_all said:

Thanks! Great suggestions. It may be worth the extra cash to make sure the job is done right.
One question. How do you clip your reflectors/foam core? Maybe I'm missing something incredibly obvious...

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The round "gobo heads" are clamps with serrated edges and slots. They will clamp a board, or a scrim or a gobo in a frame.

Do a search on "How to use a C Stand" and you'll see. (pun not intended)

Kino said:

The round "gobo heads" are clamps with serrated edges and slots. They will clamp a board, or a scrim or a gobo in a frame.

Do a search on "How to use a C Stand" and you'll see. (pun not intended)

Click to expand...

Ah ha! See? I knew it was obvious! This is the difference between internet research and someone who has done this!
I like this solution, @Kino. Even though it's a little more than anticipated. Thank you!

We used to take old pairs of jeans, cut off the legs, sew up one end and fill it with sand and then sew it shut to make very cheap sand bags that would hold the C Stands down. You won't believe how even a small reflector becomes a very efficient sail in an outdoor environment...

Kino said:

We used to take old pairs of jeans, cut off the legs, sew up one end and fill it with sand and then sew it shut to make very cheap sand bags that would hold the C Stands down. You won't believe how even a small reflector becomes a very efficient sail in an outdoor environment...

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That is so brilliant! As for weighing a stand down, I absolutely planned to do that but at $21 a pop for a sandbag, I'm leaning toward the Levi's solution.

You can buy those heavy duty sandbags without sand/weight, in 4 pack or 6 packs for not much money. And then fill them up yourself. I did that for all my studio setup.

blee1996 said:

You can buy those heavy duty sandbags without sand/weight, in 4 pack or 6 packs for not much money. And then fill them up yourself. I did that for all my studio setup.

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Nice call! Neewer seems to have a solid bag at a fair price.