Reflector hurts clients' eyes.

It seems the light beams from the sun are too powerful. When I reflect the sunlight to my clients' faces, they all get uncomfortable.Reflecto​r gives me very good lighting, I don't want to abandon it, but it hurts my clients and they get uncomfortable in my shot. So...is there any better technique to use a reflector?

I am using a 32 inches diameter reflector, mostly on the silver side. I have an assistant to hold the reflector for me and I usually try not to reflect directly in front of my subject's face.

Thanks POTN.

Reflector hurts my clients

I love the lighting I get from reflecting sunlight to my subject through reflector. Usually i use a 42 inches diameter silver/gold reflector and have an assistant hold it for me. However, the light rays are still too strong, it hurts my subjects' eyes and it made them uncomfortable in my shots. Although I always try not to reflect directly in front of their face, it is still giving them an uncomfortable time.

Is there better technique to do this? Or it's just something to suffer in order for a good image in return? ( Well I could use flash but it isn't as natural and filling as the sunlights. )

thanks potn.

I've often wondered the same thing, having had my own eyes hurt by a reflector before
will be keeping an eye on this thread.

What about a matte white reflector??

Not nearly as harsh or reflective but gives off a nice even light.

calvinjhfeng wrote in post #12502542
I love the lighting I get from reflecting sunlight to my subject through reflector. Usually i use a 42 inches diameter silver/gold reflector and have an assistant hold it for me. However, the light rays are still too strong, it hurts my subjects' eyes and it made them uncomfortable in my shots. Although I always try not to reflect directly in front of their face, it is still giving them an uncomfortable time.

Is there better technique to do this? Or it's just something to suffer in order for a good image in return? ( Well I could use flash but it isn't as natural and filling as the sunlights. )

thanks potn.

I put use a flash in a foldable softbox, subject barely notices the flash outside...

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This solution is quite simple: don't reflect direct sunlight into you subject's face. A reflector is useful for redirecting ambient light but it doesn't have to be sunlight; it will still focus light when used in open shade.

When shooting in direct sunlight I prefer to use the sun as a hair/rim light and flash as fill. A reflector is more useful to me when shooting indoors near a large window or in open shade.

calvinjhfeng wrote in post #12502542
I love the lighting I get from reflecting sunlight to my subject through reflector. Usually i use a 42 inches diameter silver/gold reflector and have an assistant hold it for me. However, the light rays are still too strong, it hurts my subjects' eyes and it made them uncomfortable in my shots. Although I always try not to reflect directly in front of their face, it is still giving them an uncomfortable time.

Is there better technique to do this? Or it's just something to suffer in order for a good image in return? ( Well I could use flash but it isn't as natural and filling as the sunlights. )

thanks potn.

The best way is to train with your assistent in such a way that you're establishing a workflow where the assistent doesn't actively aim the reflector on the subject until right before you take a burst of a few shots, and then removes the reflector again. I've seen that done many times where the photographer just nods and then the assistent raises the reflector. Photog fires off like 3 or 4 shots and then the reflector is lowered. Could be a good workflow.

Feather it. Even then follow what Michael said above.

PixelMagic wrote in post #12502972
This solution is quite simple: don't reflect direct sunlight into you subject's face. A reflector is useful for redirecting ambient light but it doesn't have to be sunlight; it will still focus light when used in open shade.

When shooting in direct sunlight I prefer to use the sun as a hair/rim light and flash as fill. A reflector is more useful to me when shooting indoors near a large window or in open shade.

Agree. +1

Find light that is not direct Sun light. Use a white reflector instead of silver to further diffuse and spread the light. If the light is still bothering the subject then it's time to move to a different spot or re-think the lighting scheme.

If reflecting light back into a subject's face when the sun is out - NEVER USE the "highly" reflective side (i.e. Silver or Gold) of the reflector. Only use the Soft or Matte side of the reflector. The highly reflective side of the reflectors should only be use when the sun is not readily available (i.e. behind clouds, etc...). If you only have a highly reflective reflector then I really would suggest that you buy another that's not so highly reflective. Although "feathering" the reflector is a great technique and usually works, it's not always full-proof. Also, people with light colored eyes (Blue, Green or mixture of the two) are "typically more sensitive to bright light then some one with Brown or Hazel eyes.....

Good Luck!

+1 this thread!!! Experienced this two days ago.

Thanks for the insights; it appears that there's a fundamental misunderstand of the use of reflectors.

TMR Design wrote in post #12503348
Agree. +1

Find light that is not direct Sun light. Use a white reflector instead of silver to further diffuse and spread the light. If the light is still bothering the subject then it's time to move to a different spot or re-think the lighting scheme.

The Loft Studios wrote in post #12503426
If reflecting light back into a subject's face when the sun is out - NEVER USE the "highly" reflective side (i.e. Silver or Gold) of the reflector. Only use the Soft or Matte side of the reflector. The highly reflective side of the reflectors should only be use when the sun is not readily available (i.e. behind clouds, etc...). If you only have a highly reflective reflector then I really would suggest that you buy another that's not so highly reflective. Although "feathering" the reflector is a great technique and usually works, it's not always full-proof. Also, people with light colored eyes (Blue, Green or mixture of the two) are "typically more sensitive to bright light then some one with Brown or Hazel eyes.....

Good Luck!

I try to use the white side of my reflector, as the gold/silver side is quite blinding.

In a few situations I tell the subjects to close their eyes, and open them on the count of 3. This way their eyes are open for the split second for the exposure, then shut again and relatively unbothered.

Either way, I would prefer to use flash if possible, because when outside on a bright day, they barely notice it and it isn't annoying.

In the same way that a cloud cover in the sky is desirable because it acts as a giant, soft, diffuser, that light is perfect for bouncing back to the face of your subject.

Simple, don't shoot in direct sunshine. Shoot in the shade only. NEVER use a gold reflector.

Benji