I am making a large photography soft box grid out of Gatorboard, to narrowly direct soft light in the dark studio.
Often, the geometric shapes of the soft box grid appear in photos, as in this reflection from a wet painting’s surface.
I made a smaller prototype grid using black foam core board. It has worked well and appears cleaner in photos than a fabric grid, but the foam core material eventually dented on the edges. As I planned this out, I knew Gatorboard would be the ultimate material in action, because of its composite wood fibers and polymer. I ordered a sample of Ultra Board and I like it, but I remember Gatorboard being stronger. Cutting it is the challenge for me. Gator-Board.com is going to help with cuts shown below.
Another benefit of constucting a rigid grid, instead of using traditional fabric, is that I can introduce an alternate structure, making for more interesting appearances, especially in these reflections.
Using the 3-D software, Maya, I iterated patterns and found rectangles that shift in proportion will be the most effective way to stylize this project.
Below, are the four different sizes to be cut from this single 4″ x 8″ sheet of all black 3/16″ thick GatorBoard.
The quantities and measurements are listed in text that can be copied, and in a graphic layout to help strategize cuts.
These quantities are the minimum number I could use but if there are extras, I will pay for them to be shipped too because I can use the material.
- Fifteen Pieces 39 13/16″ x 1.5″
- Seventeen Pieces 28 7/8″ x 1.5″
- Four Pieces 29 1/4″ x 1.5″
- Eight Pieces 48″ x 4″
Thank you SO much for your help cutting theses!
Jesse
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