First time using a reflector...

I have been doing more and more portrait type stuff it seems so I finally decided it was time to lose the flash and go with a reflector. Nothing fancy, just your 4' foldable job.

I'd love some crit on this shot of my daughter's friend. It was very impromptu and I truly had no experience in using this setup but I kinda liked the result. This was shot into the sun with a silver reflector about 3' feet away, in front, and to the right of the subject (her right, not mine). Obviously ambient and also obviously processed.


Thanks for looking.

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overall good job using it. However, it's a bit overexposed on her right side. Maybe 1-2 steps back with the reflector and i'ts perfect.

Fashionrider echos my comments. a bit overexposed.

Thanks guys. I"ll try to see if I kept the original. That was in the processing I think as I was trying for a quasi high key look without being over the top high key. The original was much more evenly exposed. IT does raise a question on reflector location though. I was/am under the assumption that, like flash/strobes, the closer I have it to my subject, the bigger and softer the light. Is this true?

namasste wrote in post #15940584
Thanks guys. I"ll try to see if I kept the original. That was in the processing I think as I was trying for a quasi high key look without being over the top high key. The original was much more evenly exposed. IT does raise a question on reflector location though. I was/am under the assumption that, like flash/strobes, the closer I have it to my subject, the bigger and softer the light. Is this true?

The reflector itself acts more as a fill then as a key light. Of course, the closer you have it, the greater the intensity but I wouldn't try to get it as close as possible to make it "bigger and softer". Plus, those things are extremely bright. You don't want to burn anyone's eyes out.

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #15940679
The reflector itself acts more as a fill then as a key light. Of course, the closer you have it, the greater the intensity but I wouldn't try to get it as close as possible to make it "bigger and softer". Plus, those things are extremely bright. You don't want to burn anyone's eyes out.

great points and advice, I will remember this next time I break it out. Actually had an engagement shoot last night and was excited to use the reflector and, as luck always goes, the sun dipped behind clouds and didn't reappear so it was back to ambient and/or flash. Grrrr.

you be surprised how powerful a reflector can be.

this is natural sun flare, no Photoshop, filled only with a reflector:

IMAGE LINK: http://s1232.photobuck​et.com …Edit_zps49bea86​b.jpg.html

mike_311 wrote in post #15940874
you be surprised how powerful a reflector can be.

this is natural sun flare, no Photoshop, filled only with a reflector:

very cool. I'm looking forward to experimenting (and making lots of mistakes since those tend to be the best learning opportunities). Do you guys always use an assistant when using reflectors for field work or do you bring some type of support?

usually the model brings a friend and i get them to hold the reflector

otherwise i have one of these that works great if its not too windy:

http://www.amazon.com …o01_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

this one comes with a handle too so you can hand holdit or mount it to a stand.

namasste wrote in post #15940584
Thanks guys. I"ll try to see if I kept the original. That was in the processing I think as I was trying for a quasi high key look without being over the top high key. The original was much more evenly exposed. IT does raise a question on reflector location though. I was/am under the assumption that, like flash/strobes, the closer I have it to my subject, the bigger and softer the light. Is this true?

yes, the closer the reflector is, the larger it is compared to the subject which makes a softer light. However, closer also means stronger light. It's not like a strobe where you can position it closer, and decrease the power so you still have same exposure, but softer light.

If you wanted to get as close as possible, using a white reflector would have been better than a silver reflector. White reflectors also produce softer light.

thanks again guys. The one I bought has gold, silver white and also works as a large diffuser with no cover on. Here's one done that same day using the diffuser only. This is my daughter looking directly towards pretty harsh sun.

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I like it. Sometimes with harsh sunlight, I like to have the sun on one side of the model, with diffuser in between, Creates nice soft directional light which i love

Picture #1 - good job but face is a bit over-exposed. Did you meter the face properly?

fashionrider wrote in post #15942088
I like it. Sometimes with harsh sunlight, I like to have the sun on one side of the model, with diffuser in between, Creates nice soft directional light which i love

another great idea, thanks! I guess the best part of something new is that everything becomes new again in some respects. The learning, the creative process, all the things we love so much about photography. Crazy how you wind up with a bag full lof thousands of dollars worth of gear and a $30 reflector is what gets you really excited!

ktan7 wrote in post #15942390
Picture #1 - good job but face is a bit over-exposed. Did you meter the face properly?

I may go back and re-edit that. Probably a terrible example for what I was hoping to learn abut using reflectors. I edited it for a semi high key look which is why it looks over cooked. The original is significantly less so. I'll try something out with that and post back.