While tech editor Greg Scoblete is reporting on early Photo Plus Expo news—like the just announced Epson SureColor P600 inkjet printer—I thought I’d poke around and find something a little off the beaten path to include in this week’s Tech Tuesday.

As it happens, a post came across my Facebook news feed not long ago that I found intriguing: Savage Universal’s Translum. It’s not a new product, from what I can tell, but it’s the first time I’ve heard of it.

Translum is a white backdrop, which may not seem exciting at first mention, but it’s made of Mylar, a material that is, in some ways, similar to vellum. Translum is opaque enough to be used as a plain white background, but also semi-translucent enough to be used as a diffuser, a light tent or—when backlit—to place in front of your subject to create a lovely, soft silhouette. And that’s just for starters. Photographers are a creative bunch and, as such, you’ll probably come with a variety of uses that haven’t yet been thought of. It’s bendable, doesn’t wrinkle and, if you’re on location and need to diffuse some window light, you can just tape it up to provide on-the-spot diffusion. And, you can easily layer the Translum if needed.

Tough enough to withstand multiple uses, Translum can be wiped down with a little soap and water to clean up surface smudges and dirt. At the same time, it’s thin enough to be cut with scissors for custom projects and product shots. Check out Translum’s website for examples of how this material can be used. Translum comes in 54-inch by 18-foot rolls and is surprisingly inexpensive at $34 a roll.

P.S. Keep an eye out for a roundup of backdrops and props in the January issue of Rangefinder.