Shiny stuff for floor

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wooster

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Hello. I have been asked to photograph a pair of toddlers and the mum wants a white background with reflection on the floor. This isn't something I love but I'm happy to oblige. The white background is fine and I have done this quite a few times before so all is good there. I've never done the perspex floor thing though.

I've had a look and the posts about this are a few years old now so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me whether there is any other material better suited to this sort of thing than Acrylic sheets available. Also would you recommend clear or white coloured sheets? I'm guessing white would be easy to just plonk down and shoot but that clear would give the option of using whatever colour paper I fancied underneath. Any other issues I've missed?

I did read about some stuff you could roll up but I'm not sure if that would be easy to work with or not or even if it is still available or from where.

Any help would be gratefully received :)
 
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You've got plenty of options,
1. You could Photoshop a false reflection in but this isn't fun imho.
2. Don't touch white, clear is the best for this scenario as the reflection will be clearer than shooting white as white will get blown out when using your lights.
3. Go to Homebase, to the DIY section, they have 8x4 sheets of 3mm Acrylic for around £50 or look online as you may find this cheaper, the trick is to put a clear sheet over your white fabric / background material, the light hits the acrylic but shows the reflection due to being transparent.
4. Health & safety, acrylic on cotton becomes slippery and also generates static electricity ;) Just don't let someone slip / trip over and you will be fine!
 
Thanks Dave for your helpful reply. The photoshop option isn't interesting to me so I will go for the clear sheets you mention and find some way to minimise slippage.

If anyone does know of "roll up" sheets I'd be interested. I'd prepared to pay a goodly sum for them if they existed
 
They exist but they won't hold the sheen that you're looking for. You need a glass finish ;)
 
Thanks. Homebase for me then. Bit of a PITA to lug around but needs must :)
 
I picked up a huge piece of arcrylic from the local salvage shop for £2 It still had the protective sheet on it, works a charm despite being a bit narrow.
 
If you can get some for a reasonable price, go for polycarbonate. It won't break if the edge gets chipped. Be aware though, it is a bit softer so more prone to scratching. Mines got a hard coat coating on so is pretty scratch resistant but at a price!!!!
Dean.
 
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