Ok.....what am I doing wrong here?

[Doug_Lester]

400 speed film isn't really compatable with studio flash in a portrait type setting. Drop down to a 100 speed film and you'll be pretty close to where you want to be. Second, add another layer or rip stop; the 2nd layer will absorb close to two f-stops, plus adding another degree of diffusion. Adding a dark panel won't make an appreciable difference in your base exposure, but will probably make the shadows a bit deeper.

That large panel should give you a beautiful, soft light.

web page

[JaysonFromMaine]

depending on the weave ect. you can cut a stop..and you just bend it around the reflector on two sides

[rjwarren]

Mike

One caution -- using black might be going too far. It will eat the light. I'd use a neutral light to medium grey. In fact, if you're going to set up a hanging system, you might have grey, cream, and black. The grey for most of the time, the cream to warm up the glamour and (some) portrait work, and the black for when you want to keep the light down.

Best of luck!

Bob