How to fold giant reflectors and backgrounds without looking like an idiot
Feb 21, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Folding reflectors, softboxes and backgrounds are awesome. There’s no two ways about it. They pack down really small for transport or storage, they pop up quickly when you need them, and they’re really lightweight. As a location shooter, they’re perfect for me. Even my white balance card folds away like a reflector. Whatever helps pack the gear down into the smallest and lightest space possible is welcome.
But once they start getting to a certain size, they can become quite troublesome. Gravity kicks in, which then either becomes your best friend or your worst enemy. But there is a simple way to fold up these giant reflectors and backgrounds. In this video, photographer Jason Lanier shows us exactly how it’s done.
As you can see in the video, large reflectors and backgrounds are fairly easy to fold up once you know how. But if you’ve never done it before, then it can take a good while to figure it out, even if you’ve folded smaller ones just fine.
In fact, it can actually be extremely amusing to watch somebody attempt to fold one up who’s never tried it before. I know many photographers who pass one off to their new assistants to fold after a shoot. The assistant never realises they’re being set up for failure. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it still never gets old for those who get to watch it.
But, the process is very simple. All you do, is fold the two long sides toward each other, and then let the other end come towards you underneath. Finally, twist the top inwards, and it just falls right on top of itself. It might take a couple of goes for you to get it perfect, though.
So, if you’re ever asked to assist on a shoot, learn the technique now. Then you can avoid potential embarrassment later. And if you’re a photographer who’s had one of these laying open against a studio wall for several months because you can’t figure out how to get it back in the bag, now you know.
If you’re still interested in a little embarrassment, you can always try the reflector challenge.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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12 responses to “How to fold giant reflectors and backgrounds without looking like an idiot”
He’s Jason Lanier. He always looks like an idiot.
Step 1….Take off the fedora…
You’re racists against fedoras! FIE ! And you better not say anything about our outback hats either!
Jason Lanier has always worn his trilby and it looks good on him. Though he could branch out to other styles of hats; he just probably doesn’t feed the need to.
On the bright side none of us mad hatters skulk around dressed as Bogart. :p
Damn you beat me to it, first thing that came to mind.
Step 2 …..employ a reflector folder like he does ! :o
Seriously? Scraping the barrel aren’t we?
Who doesn’t feel like a boss when they fold that bia on the first attempt!?
Doesn’t work with all brands
As useless of an article that i have ever read