I picked up a copy of SHOT! yesterday, this is a local magazine put out by the Photo Martini Club in Denver. There was an interesting bit about taking your photography indoors since it's getting cold outside.

The author stated that she made her diffusion panels using white furnace filters. In fact, she set up her studio for $34, including a king-sized sheet for a backdrop and some clamp lamps with furnace filters. Anyone ever try this?

View the magazine (and past issues) here: http://www.photomartiniclub.com

Originally Posted by JERM

I picked up a copy of SHOT! yesterday, this is a local magazine put out by the Photo Martini Club in Denver. There was an interesting bit about taking your photography indoors since it's getting cold outside.

The author stated that she made her diffusion panels using white furnace filters. In fact, she set up her studio for $34, including a king-sized sheet for a backdrop and some clamp lamps with furnace filters. Anyone ever try this?

View the magazine (and past issues) here: http://www.photomartiniclub.com

I have never tried that, but I have to wonder why you wouldn't rather buy a couple yards of rip Stop Nylon and use that as a diffuser? You could make a couple frames out of 1/4 inch PVC and you would have two diffusers for cheap. I would assume you are going to lose a couple stops if not more of light from the filters.
Not being negative, just offering a different solution.

I'd agree that the filters might absorb or reflect some of the light, although this is true of any diffuser... My shoot-through umbrellas reflect almost as much as they let through.

I see two big advantages of the furnace filters:

1. The filters are only a couple bucks each
2. The filters require no additional frame or support

Would be interesting to try.

Originally Posted by JERM

I'd agree that the filters might absorb or reflect some of the light, although this is true of any diffuser... My shoot-through umbrellas reflect almost as much as they let through.

I see two big advantages of the furnace filters:

1. The filters are only a couple bucks each
2. The filters require no additional frame or support

3. if you buy the same size as the filters in your furnace, youll have backups!

I hadn't thought of that... my furnace doesn't use filters, it's a boiler that pumps hot water through radiators in every room.