On Location Photography - How do you deal with harsh sunlight?

[Knightshade]

So, if I have somebody with me, I can have them hold up one of those fold out diffusers (think car shade design).

But..this is where I run into a problem. I know there is a solution, I just don't know what it is.

What if I'm by myself? They have to make these things self standing. What the heck are they called? Because I don't know what to search for in an online catalog.

[Mark_Cohran]

Usually they're called scrims or diffuser panels.

Mark

[thekid24]

Click Here (http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/cheap-diy-reflector-stand) is a site that I found that shows you how to make a reflector stand pretty inexpensively.

[René Damkot]

Also, click here (http://www.sunbounce-usa.com/) to get some ideas. Use a light stand and sand bags to stabilise...

[Knightshade]

Thanks for the responses. Is there another "competitively" priced product to the california sunbounce?

[formicalinoleum]

Is it possible to find a spot of shade and just use some fill flash?

OR you can get a light stand, umbrella, vivitar285, and a peanut slave for about $150 to balance the lighting out.

[Jon, The Elder]

Your original comment seems to refer to a Reflector not a Diffuser.

The intent and effect are quite different.

[tash11]

this is my problem too. and I live in TX, there is no shade, and the little I can get just doesnt cut it. I lost my reflector in the move here :( , and I hate setting up a stand and everything because then I have to move it all over. better then harsh lighting though........

[28-200mm]

I know this guy who doesn't use a stand all the time. He'll put the umbrella on the flash and throw the thing upside-down on the ground. With an on-camera flash, and the upside-down techique you can get some nice lighting. It may not work for all circumstances though.

[Knightshade]

Is it possible to find a spot of shade and just use some fill flash?

OR you can get a light stand, umbrella, vivitar285, and a peanut slave for about $150 to balance the lighting out.


In some areas..there just isn't any shade. I had a "corporate" shoot that took place the other day at 1130 in the freekin afternoon. I told them..it wasn't ideal light, and they knew that but couldn't schedule for any other time......whatever.

I used fill flash to take care of the shadows, but the lighting that was there was still horribly harsh.

[chtgrubbs]

That's why God created curious, ambitious young photographers who will work for little or no pay just to be able to watch you take pictures. They are called "assistants".

[Emenresu]

I would either-
1. block the light with a flag and reflect light in
2. diffuse the sunlight (with a diffusion panel) and maybe also use a reflector

and yeah, an assistant makes it alot easier.

[Knightshade]

That's why God created curious, ambitious young photographers who will work for little or no pay just to be able to watch you take pictures. They are called "assistants".

lol..I still classify myself as much of that, as I'm willing to do assistant work myself, for little or no pay.

However, I do have another dilemma. While attempting to build a solution, I'm perplexed as to how much weight you would consider a light stands needs to be able to hold?

Meaning, if I have a light stand...which is holding a diffuser, how much "sandbag" would you recommend it be holding to keep it in place? Winds generally don't exceed 10 mph in most areas where I shoot. And if they do, I'm inside anyways.

[28-200mm]

lol..I still classify myself as much of that, as I'm willing to do assistant work myself, for little or no pay.

However, I do have another dilemma. While attempting to build a solution, I'm perplexed as to how much weight you would consider a light stands needs to be able to hold?

Meaning, if I have a light stand...which is holding a diffuser, how much "sandbag" would you recommend it be holding to keep it in place? Winds generally don't exceed 10 mph in most areas where I shoot. And if they do, I'm inside anyways.

It really depends on how much weight all of that is combined. When I do shoot outside, 15lbs. is good enough on a windy day (talking 15mph or so). You should be good with 10-15lbs, I think.