Ahhhh . . . it's the little things that mean the most! . . .

Forget the L lenses -- I'm THRILLED to get my first reflector panel!

It may not seem like a big deal, but what a difference it makes in portraits. And the thing was only $10! (Includes diffuser, white, silver, gold, and black.) Why didn't I get one a long time ago?!

Just something to keep in mind -- don't overlook the little things that can make a HUGE impact on your photography!

(BTW, does anyone know what I would use the BLACK reflector for? If I can't figure it out, I guess it would be nice for flower backgrounds. )

I think the black reflector is to "suck up" light.... say you are using OCF on one side of someones face and wanted the other side of the face shadowed, you'd place the black side of the reflector on that side to stop light reflecting off another part of your set..... I think!

pilsburypie wrote in post #10203737
I think the black reflector is to "suck up" light.... say you are using OCF on one side of someones face and wanted the other side of the face shadowed, you'd place the black side of the reflector on that side to stop light reflecting off another part of your set..... I think!

Really? I'll have to test that. Any other ideas out there? That one makes as much sense as anything I can think of.

Black absorbs light.

toxic wrote in post #10204765
Black absorbs light.

Yes, I guess I have to think of what context I would need that in.

YankeeMom wrote in post #10204867
Yes, I guess I have to think of what context I would need that in.

Can't say I ever use the black side/cover. Maybe as a gobo.

The black side is used to block the light from spilling. In studio i usually use black / white/ silver / gold mat or foam boards (as you can cut them into various shapes and sizes) and i use folding reflectors on location for comfortable transport.
Take a look at our tutorials where the black card is used:

here are a few:

backlighting photography

how to photograph flowers

LearnMyShot wrote in post #10206172
The black side is used to block the light from spilling. In studio i usually use black / white/ silver / gold mat or foam boards (as you can cut them into various shapes and sizes) and i use folding reflectors on location for comfortable transport.
Take a look at our tutorials where the black card is used:

here are a few:

backlighting photography

how to photograph flowers

Those were interesting. The first set-up was very elaborate, so I might have to watch that (and probably the second one too) a few more times to really get what he is doing. I do not use lights very often; it's interesting to see how it is done. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on your first, does the reflector come with a red ring ??

toxic wrote in post #10204765
Black absorbs light.

Refer to article on 'dark suckers':
http://www.lightbulbjo​kes.com/misc/darksucke​rs.html

GJim wrote in post #10207110
Refer to article on 'dark suckers':
http://www.lightbulbjo​kes.com/misc/darksucke​rs.html

heh. After that article it is clear that all studio strobes really, really suck.

ruben00 wrote in post #10206944
Congrats on your first, does the reflector come with a red ring ??

Ha! No -- but if it did, they would probably get, at least, $50 more for it.

When I photograph with available light, sometimes the light from the floor, which usually is orangish/red, depending on the color of the floor or even ugly green from the grass will affect the object so that it is slightly tinted. Putting black card on the floor will make no light coming from the lower side of the object.

The black panel is used for subtractive lighting outdoors. I used the technique 30 years ago for senior portraits. Here is a link to an article on another forum that you might find usefull

http://photocamel.com …subtractive-lighting.html

Bummer -- you have to register to see his pics, but I get the description of what he did. Very interesting -- I never thought about using black before.