1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a light weight light modifier having a single-piece molded housing capable of supporting several strobe-light heads, tungsten lights, HMI lights, barndoors, filter holders, diffusers, and other accessories as well as being adaptable for mounting a camera for shadow free photography.
2. Description of Prior Art
One of the most important aspects of photography is the ability to control light. Any device used to control light, its intensity or direction, is called a light modifier. Those used in photography are broadly classified as follows:
a) Bounce umbrellas (modifiers) having reflective under-surface ranging from white to gold or silver metallic. The light source is reversibly mounted under the concave center of the open umbrella bouncing the light back from the reflective surface. PA1 a) Parabolic and ellipsoidal reflectors. These basic reflectors (modifiers) are usually employed with a single light source. The light bulb or a strobe light is positioned near the base of the reflector, facing the opening. The light reflects from the sides of the reflector to the area being illuminated. This type of reflector is usually made from light weight aluminum by metal spinning. Ideally the inside surface of the reflector is made of highly polished material, preferably with a textured pattern to diffuse the light and avoid hot spots. PA1 b) Soft boxes. These modifiers are made of soft, light weight fabric, supported by a framework of rods. The inside of the box is typically lined with reflective fabric and the front portion is covered with a translucent fabric. The outer-shell sides and rear portion are covered with a black fabric. The light source is mounted on the back of the box, facing the translucent front panel. The soft boxes typically employ either a single strobe light or a continuous light source, usually quartz halogen. PA1 c) Fresnel lens equipped light modifiers deliver a direct light beam, which feathers from a hard center toward a softer edge. These lights are typically made with a metal housing and have brackets for attaching accessories such as barndoors, diffusers, and filter holders. PA1 a) to enable multiple lights, either strobe based, or continuous source, to be mounted onto a single light-modifier to obtain a maximum, uniform, light from their collective output; PA1 b) to provide photographers with a light-modifier, which accepts variety of commercially available lights which, are easily mounted with adapter plates; PA1 c) to provide an economical light-modifier with a single-piece, rigid, platform capable of supporting barndoors, filters, and diffusers, and having a pivotable yoke for mounting on a stand; PA1 d) to provide a single-piece molded housing which forms a rigid platform allowing the inside of the housing to be lined with reflective panels for maximum light reflection without distorting their intended shape. PA1 e) to provide a method for mounting a camera for shadow free lighting.
The problem associated with the bounce umbrella is the difficulty in attaching filters for color correction or the inability to attach barndoors or other directional light control devices.
Some of the better known umbrella designs are made and marketed by Lowell, Photogenic, Profoto, and other quality manufacturers.
However, because the spinning process forces the textured surface against a tool, much of this highly reflective surface is damaged, causing less effective, uneven illumination. Typical parabolic and ellipsoidal reflectors are made and marketed by Speedotron, Norman, Profoto, and other quality manufacturers.
This light weight design is usually attached to a light fixture as an accessory and has no independent means for mounting on a stand. Due to its soft design, it has no hard points onto which accessories such as bardoors or filters can be readily added. Well-known soft boxes designs are made and marketed by Lowell, Photogenic, Profoto, Chimera, Westcott, and other quality manufacturers.
While this light modifier successfully projects a highly controllable light beam, it is limited to a single-point light source, either a strobe or a light bulb. Only a more powerful strobe unit or a higher wattage bulb can gain additional light.
Makers of fresnel lens equipped lights include Mole-Richardson Co., Profoto, Admagic, Sinar Bron, Elinchrom, and other quality manufacturers.