Posts tagged ‘Flexfill’

Flexfill… on a Football Field?!

It’s the week leading to the Super Bowl (again – a year goes by so fast), and I thought it would be fun to revisit number XXVIII, between the Cowboy and the Bills, played in Atlanta. A few months earlier, we heard from the NFL with an interesting question – could Visual Departures make a large number of collapsible disks in red, white, and blue. And keep it secret. Our answer was, “Absolutely, yes,” and we got the assignment.

So on January 30, 1994, about 350 young volunteers dressed in matching red, white and blue jump suits came on to the field as Natalie Cole prepared to sing the National Anthem. Their hands were behind their backs, each one holding a collapsed Flexfill. As the anthem began, they dropped to their knees and the Flexfill disks were popped open over their heads to form an American flag covering the area between the two 35-yard lines. With a little hand movement, the ‘flag’ began to ripple for the almost three minutes that Ms. Cole sang.

American flag made of Flexfill discs during Superbowl XVIII

I was lucky enough to have a field pass for the game, and even though I took a number of pictures, the best image of all was made by David Tulis of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shooting from high above the playing field. By the way, Buffalo led at halftime, 13-6, but Dallas came back with 24 unanswered points. Final: Cowboys 30-13.

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The "Nature" of Quick and Dirty Macro Photography

Great close-up nature photography doesn't have to involve a lot of equipment (and weight or bulk). I almost always have with me, besides the latest in Canon's G-series of professional quality point-and-shoot cameras, a couple of our smallest Flexfill collapsible lighting reflectors, a Steadybag Jr., and a table-top tripod and head.

Comparison of an open 20-inch Flexfill with an identical closed model inside its storage pouch

We've been bothered at home by an invasion of what I just learned are cicada-killing wasps. Earlier today, I watched one of these airborne attackers start to drag his latest victim under our porch. A quick shot of hornet spray took care of the wasp, but it was too late for the cicada. But in a couple of minutes, using a white Flexfill (model 20-1) as a shooting surface and a silk Flexfill (model 20-9) to diffuse a very harsh sun, I was able to produce a studio-quality image of both.

Insects on a white Flexfill

The Canon G11 has extraordinary macro capabilities (plus I always try to shoot RAW files), and since I was shooting down, my Leica ball head and tripod was the choice over the Steadybag.

The silk Flexfill was the key to the shot, allowing the G11 to make a correct exposure even in bright sunlight. Each of the 20-inch Flexfills weighs less than 5 ounces, expands to a 20" circle, folds down instantly to about one-third that size, and fits into its own 8" pouch. Flexfills come in a variety of sizes, up to 60" across, and all of them are similarly compact, lightweight, and reliable.

Next up: using the ultra-cool LitePad (Rosco's LED light panel) to produce a location food photograph at the edge of the ocean.

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Flexfill: The Original Collapsible Reflectors

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Get Total Lighting Control, Whether On Location or In Studio

We've all seen it: when the contrast between your light and shadows is too extreme, the sensors in your camera will "crush" the highlights or shadows, ruining your exposure and washing out all your detail. Using a reflector to "fill" the shadows or soften direct light brings your subject within the range your camera can capture reliably.

  • Controls natural or artificial lighting contrast and quality
  • Sets up and collapses in about one second
  • Collapses to one-third its size for easy transportation & storage
  • Zippered nylon pouch included
  • High-quality materials; made in the USA

In 1982, Visual Departures introduced the first collapsible reflector: Flexfill. Today, Flexfill is used by thousands of top studio and location photographers. Available in four sizes and nine surfaces, it's a highly portable and efficient lighting solution.

Flexfill is fast. The riveted spring-steel rim allows any Flexfill to open up or fold down to one-third its working size, instantly, with the flick of a wrist. And you can hold Flexfill reflectors flat, concave, or convex, depending on whether you want neutral, spot, or diffuse light.

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There have been many copycat products, but none compare well to Flexfill. Flexfill reflectors have always been made in the USA; built to last from tough, non-fading materials. Cheap knockoffs often come apart at the seams, and the manufacturers often include the rim fabric in their measurements. Rest assured: when you buy a genuine 48" Flexfill, you'll get the full 48" of usable area you paid for.

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The Flexfill Adjustable Holder

Flexfill Holder FH-1

Pair This With a Light Stand, and You Can Hire One Less Assistant

Ideal for stationary, still life, and portrait subjects, the Flexfill Adjustable Holder has a telescoping design that slides to fit all Flexfill reflectors (20", 38", 48", or 60" diameters.) Flexible rubber grips keep a firm hold on the rim of the reflector, while locking knobs hold each tubular section in place. Standard 5/8-inch sockets accommodate most light stands and will accept a threaded screw-mount adapter for use on tripods. Custom-made in Italy for Visual Departures by Manfrotto.

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