What is a black reflector disc used for?

[Mycroft]

I was at the camera store and saw some large reflector discs in the lighting section... white, silver, gold... and black. Why black?

[DSMITH131]

Black = Light blocker
Gold = Warm light
Silver = Hard light
White = Soft light
Someone else can give more imput

[CyberPet]

Ok, explain Lastolites names for Sunfire and SoftSilver. How much different are they from Gold and Silver?

[redbutt]

Black = Light blocker

Black can also be used as a "light absorber". The color black is actually the void left when no light is reflected back. So, you can put a black pannel opposite a light, and use it to ensure that all reflected light is cancelled.

[Reminisce]

Yep Bloo Dog hit it on the nail. Black can be used more moderately to prevent light spill from getting on your backdrop as well. For example, if you're shooting on a black backdrop and want the back to be completely invisible and want only a portion of your subject lit, black reflectors help greatly here.

[iwatkins]

Ok, explain Lastolites names for Sunfire and SoftSilver. How much different are they from Gold and Silver?

I'm not sure on SoftSilver (I don't have one), but Sunfire is actually a mix of gold and silver. If you look closely at it here are alternating lines of silver and gold.

I use sunfire quite a bit, it gives a nice warm glow to skin where as gold can be too much and silver can be too harsh.

Cheers

Ian

[LisaMarie]

Ok, explain Lastolites names for Sunfire and SoftSilver. How much different are they from Gold and Silver?

They are quite varied from using one straight. Excpet for maybe the softsilver in light temp. I found the specs for you and pasted them so you can see.

SOFTSILVER. 5600°K. combination of one strip of silver and one strip of white provides a soft wash of light, yet tones down the harshness normally associated with pure silver reflectors.



SUNFIRE. 4750°K. A subtle mixture of Silver and Gold - excellent at adding just a hint of color



SILVER. 5600°K. Crisp, clear light for optimum clarity



GOLD. 3800°K. Adds warmth and glow

[CyberPet]

Excellent, thank you LisaMarie! I think I'm going to get the one with sunfire/softsilver since it sounds like it's less harsh (or can you say harsh when it comes to warmth?). Thank you! :D

[Eric DeCastro]

i used a gold this weekend and it gives great light. very warm feel.

[PhotosGuy]

Just another example:
Negative Lighting – a simple technique that makes a big difference! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70824)

[mjordan]

I also use black, white and silver for quick backgrounds. I use my black or white Lite Discs to put behind flowers or other still life objects I'm shooting. Since they fold up into such small and light weight packages, I take them on hikes with me and use them as quicky backgrounds or to block wind.

I've used my larger 4x4' white light panel as a quicky background as well as a diffuser and reflector.

Mike