Car shoot: ultrabounce v. bleached muslin for highlights

[C.A. De Naissance]

Like Nick, who recently posted, I am planning a car shoot *outdoors*. The scenery is not important, we do not even want to see the environment (it is the only large space we have available). We have to make it look like we are inside a studio, so: no unwanted reflections on exterior of car. We plan on building a tent: white "ceiling", two while "walls" of fabric to bounce, two black walls for no reflection. We need to bounce/skim light off the "ceiling" and "walls" of this tent to shape highlights on the car.

 

(1) What kind of material is ultrabounce?

(2) Which would you recommend for bouncing light to make highlights on car: ultrabounce or bleached muslin?

 

Thanks!

[Michael Nash]

Ultrabounce is a matte-finish white vinyl type material. Because of the matte finish it gives a smooth, diffuse reflection with no secondary shiny surface reflection. Ultrabounce is a more efficient reflector than bleached mus.

 

Bleached muslin is of course what the name suggests, a coarse fabric that can allow some light to pass through, and some light to bounce back from. This material is probably easier to fold and clamp around frames to have clean edges and seams for your tent.

[David Mullen ASC]

The only advantage I've found with bleached muslin is that it tends to sag less on a frame -- it can be pulled tighter so you don't see wrinkles and folds when you hit it with a light.

[Chris B. Cornell]

The only advantage I've found with bleached muslin is that it tends to sag less on a frame -- it can be pulled tighter so you don't see wrinkles and folds when you hit it with a light.

 

 

How is the price on ultra-bounce? I know bleached muslin can be had on the cheap.

[C.A. De Naissance]

How is the price on ultra-bounce? I know bleached muslin can be had on the cheap.

 

8 x 8 ft ultrabounce is $140.00. 8 x 8 ft bleached muslin is $115.00.

[John David Miller]

The only advantage I've found with bleached muslin is that it tends to sag less on a frame -- it can be pulled tighter so you don't see wrinkles and folds when you hit it with a light.

 

 

There are a number of advantages to using bleached muslin over ultrabounce and cons as well.

 

Ultrabounce:

Is a more efficient reflector.

Far more durable.

Much easier to clean and maintain.

Has added value with a near black out reverse side.

Is cheaper (than 20'+ seamless muslin)

 

Bleached Muslin:

Can be SEAMLESS up to widths of 32'! (5' panels of ultrabounce)

Handles wind better (allows more air to pass through)

Stretches better.

Light can be pushed through it and is nicely diffused(comparable to half grid cloth)

Can be found around the world.

A far more consistent "white" between different bolts of fabric

Does not fade to "brown/yellow" as easily

Makes less noise in wind and rain.

 

In the case of the OP, budgeted provided, 18'x18' frames completely skinned (wrapped edges) with 20'x20' seamless bleached muslin would probably give a near flawless look. Of course full seamless sides and ceiling could be done as one piece...a lot more costly. You could go smaller to 12'x12' seamless but you'll find it becomes harder to evenly light it while keeping it close enough to the car to cover.

 

I know this is an older post but perhaps this will help someone down the road.