How much do you use reflectors?

[Claire]

Does anyone here use reflectors when shooting people? I'm considering buying one now for my future portraits/wedding portraits shoots. What should I buy???

[tim]

I don't have enough hands. On the odd occasion I have an assistant I use them, but even then not all the time. They're only really much good for one person or two people close together.

[Toogy]

I've never used one, like tim said, if I had an assistant all the time, I would probably try and use one more often.

[Banbert]

I have a largeish 5 in 1 circular refelector/diffuser attached to my bag at all times and use it to put light on faces/create shade, its very useful when were doing shots of just the couple.

[mizuno]

Not much.

[Hassan2285]

I was considering getting a few just to get rid of some shadows when the lighting is harsh. I work with 2 other people so it shouldn't be that hard to work.

[sblais]

I have a largeish 5 in 1 circular refelector/diffuser attached to my bag at all times and use it to put light on faces/create shade, its very useful when were doing shots of just the couple.

Ditto. I use it for shade or to light up faces.

But I only use it in about 20% or my weddings (maybe less). But when I need it, I'm glad I have it!

[bcap]

Never used one due to the same reasons outlined by Jeff and Tim above.

I just off camera flash and it works just nicely :)

[jillybean]

I have a wescott 4 in 1, love it when I have an assistant to help me. Helpful tool, but you will need help

[-MasterChief-]

i use a 60" collapsible as a shade when the sun is just too bright.

woohoooo!! and that would make it my 1000th post!

[louiep83]

We have one always on standby but hardly use it so far.

[CyberPet]

I love to use reflectors more, but my poor assistant is sometimes occupied with other things - but it would be awesome to use more. I did improvise with a white binder at one shoot, when we had too much to carry and left the reflectors in the car and was too lazy (as it was raining) to run out and get them.

When I use it, I have a Lastolite Tri-Grip with a softsilver and sunfire as well as a huge white diffuser that also works as a white reflector. The diffuser is great when you have to create your own shade when I have to shoot in the middle of the day and can't control the sun.

[Philco]

I'm making use of reflectors more often these days. I often shoot second w/ a local high-end pro and I fell in love with the Larson reflector he uses, so I bought one for myself. It's 42"X72" when open, but it folds down much like an umbrella, so it's super portable and light - unlike large aluminum or pvc pipe configurations. With a refelector that size, you can do more than use it for tight shots.

The thing I'm really enjoying about using reflectors is that it gives me more options. If I'm doing an e-session on the beach before the sun goes down, I can bounce enough light back on the couple to put the ocean behind them for really pleasing look. Without a reflector I'd have to always put them in shade or wait for the sun to go down all the way before I could have them look in the camera. I'm really fixated on getting bright light reflecting in the eyes of the people I'm shooting these days, and a reflector provides another means of doing that.

This is the refelctor I'm enjoying so much, in case anyone is curious about Larson:
http://www.larson-ent.com/products_detail.php?id=81

Cheers,
Phil.

[picturecrazy]

I use mine all the time... as something for the bride to sit on so she doesn't get her dress dirty.

Other than that I usually only use it to provide shading. Hardly ever for reflecting.

[tim]

Reflectors on a sunny day make people squint really badly.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I like reflectors when I have a helper. Otherwise, it's near impossible, and I look like an even bigger moron.

[cdifoto]

I attach one to a light stand when doing studio-ish stuff but it's not practical in the real world. A little fill-flash can do pretty much the same thing. If I was a high-end photog with a slave...err I mean assistant...then sure I'd make my ass. hold one.

If I'm doing outdoor portraits and I have an annoying parent, I might put him or her to work holding it to give 'em something to do.

[tim]

If I was a high-end photog with a slave...err I mean assistant...then sure I'd make my ass hold one.

I'm not sure i'd like to see a photo of your ass holding a reflector :p

[cdifoto]

Hey stop editing my quotes. :shock: :p

[tim]

I only removed one little full stop! :p

[cdifoto]

Yeah...and it threw off the exposure! :lol:

[Ronald S. Jr.]

after he took away a stop, you were extremely overexposed. :shock:

[tim]

lol@Ronald :D