One Youtube video suggested interface, which looked too transparent in JoAnn Fabrics, another suggested "nylon" which is too vague to be helpful.
I've made a tent frame using 1/2" PVC and four "elbow with a side elbow" fittings, and brought back some tan fabric for a backdrop. Bought some "voile" fabric to try as a diffuser, but it is extremely transparent.
Does anyone have any fabric suggestions for a light diffuser, and which store(s) might carry it?
I use a white synthetic cloth but I don't know the name. I bought it years ago at the local Walmart when they used to have a fabric section. I've seen similar cloth at JoAnn's. This is a fine weave, more slick that cotton, perhaps polyester? It is thick enough I can't see shapes through it, diffuses nicely.
If looking for cloth today I'd probably take a small, bright flashlight and hold it on the other side and make sure I couldn't see the bulb but a nice diffuse area.
I used safety pins to fasten cloth to both square side frames, glued together. The cross bars are not glued so I can take it apart for storage. I bent a piece of grey mat board from the framing shop into a curve for a seamless background. The sides of the mat board are cut away a little so the side frames holds the front down flat while the curve fits between the sides.
I note that Amazon also showed up in my search. Just be careful about using any material that can catch fire if placed too close to hot lights. Back in my working days I remember a material called something like “spun fiberglass” that could be attached directly to light reflectors with no danger of burning.
When I teach what I tell my students is to hold it up and look at the ceiling lights.. if it transmits lit but you cant see the bulbs it's ok. It is not critical at all. If it's too thick you simply have to use longer exposures. If it's too thin you will see the bulb and reflector in the reflection on your piece. If that happens just use 2 layers. The pro,s use white ripstop nylon but that's overkill.for home use.
