creative ways - holding a reflector with minimal gear (one-man photographer)

i've been searching around for solutions or creative ideas on how a single photographer can free his hands off the reflector (without any assistant) and yet not need to carry a tripod/arm just to hold the reflector in place.

another way is to get the subject to hold it, or simply to put it on the floor or let it lean against a wall - but these have its disadvantages as well - the amount of light might not be sufficient or there are limited compositions because i need to avoid putting the reflector into the frame too.

suggestions?

I've used a spring clamp to attach my reflector to a light stand. But it only works under ideal conditions, ie no wind.

Me too. Justin clamp on the top and spring clamp on the bottom.

There are always these-
Lastolite UPLITE:
http://www.lastolitesc​hoolofphotography.com/​using-the-uplite (22:45 minute product video)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …sort&Ntt=Lastol​ite+Uplite
http://www.lastolite.c​om/uplite.php

Lastolite TRIGRIP (the medium size-30" is still manageable by solo photographer):
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ort&Ntt=Lastoli​te+Trigrip

Good luck on finding a solution that works for YOU and your situations.

Mary

And there are arms like the Photoflex Litedisc Holder

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ic_Light_Disc_H​older.html

and the Photoflex Litepanel Crossbar
http://www.adorama.com …OGPkvbt0bQCFYF7​QgodiXMAzA

I often lean mine against my leg

thanks guys for the suggestions. i'm leaning more towards travel-friendly solutions, if possible at all.

Larsen reflectasol. Bigger ones stand on their own but would be nice to use with a stand with a grip arm.

It always seems to need a bit of improvising when using a reflector doesn't it. I use a cheap set of plastic clamps I bought from B&Q, link:
http://www.diy.com …t-11247685?skuId=1175839​0
They are pretty versatile and I try to rig them up to whatever is available..
I think the California Sunbounce looks like a clever piece of kit for working solo. Crazy expensive for me though!

The cheapest option is surely just to use one of those bulldog clip things you can buy??

Put a strip of foam/sponge over each metal surface and jobs a goodun. They even come with pre-cut holes in the handle so you can fix and hold them to a tilting flash stand/tripod and can even be fixed in place if you have a bolt for the 1/8, 1/4 fitting that you use

Ideal for travel too - weight = less than 100g

Probably not particularly professional but certainly for a beginner, with the 20 quid reflectors on Amazon, you can have a pretty flexible setup for about £22...

the.forumer wrote in post #15425734
i've been searching around for solutions or creative ideas on how a single photographer can free his hands off the reflector (without any assistant) and yet not need to carry a tripod/arm just to hold the reflector in place.

another way is to get the subject to hold it, or simply to put it on the floor or let it lean against a wall - but these have its disadvantages as well - the amount of light might not be sufficient or there are limited compositions because i need to avoid putting the reflector into the frame too.

suggestions?

I have a Lastolite Trigrip. It is way overpriced compared to regular reflectors but in most cases its worth it! Get a velcro strap and when you can't hold it you can strap it to anywhere from the grip

Voice activated light stands are the only way to go,,tell em to bring a friend.

I know this is a fairly obvious solution, but I often just use my remote with a tripod when flying solo. I can then freely maneuver either a light or reflector (sometimes both) while triggering the camera by remote.

Scott_1469 wrote in post #15458327
I know this is a fairly obvious solution, but I often just use my remote with a tripod when flying solo. I can then freely maneuver either a light or reflector (sometimes both) while triggering the camera by remote.

Would love to see some portrait shots. This will work if shooting pretty slow apertures. How you AF remotely? Best thing is what Mike suggested above. Reflectors need adjustments all the time to get the light the right way on model's face and no way you can do that with any clip etc with relflectors being on a stand.