Store Bought Reflectors - R they worth it?

[flyfishnj]

Are the Imact collapsable reversable reflectors worth it? Does a white poster board work as well? If you have one, do you use it?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=253063&is=REG

I'm ordering a grip tonight and figured I would throw one of these in the order.

[Scottes]

I'd find them very handy if I had someone to hold the blasted things in the field. I have to get me a flunky...

For home/studio I'd imagine they could be very nice. Foamcore is nice, but you don't get all the colors - gold especially can be handy, silver occasionally, and the translucent is very nice for diffusing when you need it. Oh, and the foamcore doesn't always stay flat forever - these things do, so you always get controlled reflection.

Another board I visit raves about the Photoflex - but $100 for the same thing...

[flyfishnj]

Scottes - Thanks for the quick reply

What size should I buy? Mostly for protraits of my Kids inside and outside .... Occasionaly group shots

[Scottes]

I'm not really qualified to answer for portraits and such... But my thought is usually to go for a large light source. Given the size of kids (I'm assuming they're young) then 22" would probably be good for head shots of kids, and those are a lot more portable and convenient. But they'll be less useful for adult full-body shots, and probably useless for group shots. Then again, 42" for groups shots is also probably not very useful.

If all you do is head shots, I'd say 22". But I'd also say that too large is better than too small.

Oh, heck, I said I'm not qualified. But I'd get the 42" because too large is better than too small.

[flyfishnj]

Bigger is better - I went for the 42" - My wife will say I look like an idiot either way. Her cousin asked me to shoot their family pictures while we are on vacation (NJ Shore - LBI).... I'll just blame this all on her... yea that's what I'll do.

Thanks again ....

[scottbergerphoto]

These are excellent:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=42103&is=REG
Your light source should be as large as your subject for diffuse even lighting.
Dcott

[Jyoti]

I got one from Jessops recently, on the morning before a magazine shoot (all very last minute as usual!).

It certainly saved my skin, helped immensely with the fill for portraits that would otherwise have turned out as silhouettes. I had an assistant but you can get those triangular versions now that you hold yourself. I think they're made by Lastolite?

Mine cost around thirty quid which is a small price for such a useful tool.

[SWPhotoImaging]

Be sure to wander through your neighborhood auto supply or discount dept. store (Target, WalMart, FredMeyers, etc) from time to time, and look at what they have in the way of collapsible auto window shades. I have several, they come in all kinds of materials and finishes, including silver reflective, light grey, and off-white, as well as black (sometimes you want shade). They are a LOT cheaper than the photo reflectors ( $10 to $20 a pair). I keep a pair collapsed into the outer zip pocket on my photo backpack for easy access. I have found that they work well, and you can always use them in your car window to keep the sun out . . . . . or so I've heard.
:lol: