Reflectors

[bryan]

Do i really need a reflector?, should i use a reflector? will it make much difference to my pictures?
well the answers for these basic questions in my opinion are, NO, maybe, YES!! depending on the type of image your looking to achieve, will determine whether or not a reflector is needed.

but below is a link to 2 pics i took 1 without a reflector and 1 with, taken just after each other using the same available light, although angles are a little different, due to me trying to hold off my 2 year old son LOL:rofl: hope this helps some folks!!

http://www.tog247.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/247.jpg ('http://www.tog247.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=158')

[munchycarrot]

I'd agree that it depends on the look you're after. The reflector has given a much nicer, even natural light to your son's face, i prefer with definitely. I use reflectors in most of my 'normal' portraits

[bryan]

in this case deffo ,yes, the 1st image, would need a fair bit of photoshop work, to make it usable, where, athe reflector lets you get it right in camera!!

p.s i always prefer to "get it right in camera"

[jsmyth]

The difference when using the reflector is very considerable. Now I don't do very many portraits but I enjoy doing close ups of flowers etc. However sometimes I struggle to get a decent shutter speed as I have to work at f/5.6, would using a reflector outdoors on plants work well do you think?

The idea only occurred to me after seeing you pictures!

Josh

[Shaun]

The difference when using the reflector is very considerable. Now I don't do very many portraits but I enjoy doing close ups of flowers etc. However sometimes I struggle to get a decent shutter speed as I have to work at f/5.6, would using a reflector outdoors on plants work well do you think?

The idea only occurred to me after seeing you pictures!

Josh

yup :top: give it a try!

[munchycarrot]

We have one of the 5 in 1 things with a gold/silver cover. I use it for all sorts, the gold gives a very warm glow, don't really use that much for portraits, makes ppl look like they've been tangoed if you're too close :)

[badbadman]

We have one of the 5 in 1 things with a gold/silver cover. I use it for all sorts, the gold gives a very warm glow, don't really use that much for portraits, makes ppl look like they've been tangoed if you're too close :)

I got the same thing, £30ish is a bargain for what they do. :top:

[munchycarrot]

yep, ours were free with a mag subscription was well worth it to get the mag for a year too :top: the whole thing was about £35

[bryan]

mines is the lastolite trigrip reflector, got mines free, when i joined the swpp. but if someone wants to try using a reflector, you can get busy with some tin foil and cardboard:)

[kooky]

:( I got a car window screen reflector as a make do one

[munchycarrot]

i got one of those sun things for the car windscreen 42p from tesco :top: it's a bitch to fold up tho

[kooky]

i got one of those sun things for the car windscreen 42p from tesco :top: it's a bitch to fold up tho

Heehee, know what you mean

[Jeni]

:( I got a car window screen reflector as a make do one

i got one of them too, and ive used it on flower shots as well. ive had good results from it. saw a couple of people stood in a stream the other day using a cheap hand held mirror to evenly light this thing they had balanced on a rock. they were doing 2 second exposures so the running water around it was blurred.

[kooky]

i got one of them too, and ive used it on flower shots as well. ive had good results from it. saw a couple of people stood in a stream the other day using a cheap hand held mirror to evenly light this thing they had balanced on a rock. they were doing 2 second exposures so the running water around it was blurred.


Sounds interesting

[Pipeman]

i got one of them too, and ive used it on flower shots as well. ive had good results from it. saw a couple of people stood in a stream the other day using a cheap hand held mirror to evenly light this thing they had balanced on a rock. they were doing 2 second exposures so the running water around it was blurred.

Sounds both complicated and clever!

[Jeni]

Sounds interesting

Sounds both complicated and clever!

yep, and when ive not got jeans, socks and trainers on im going to have a go myself :)

[munchycarrot]

what ? in your underwear :shocked:

[Jeni]

lmao, i really should think about what i type shouldnt i!

[Sarah]

Bryan,

Only thing that bothers me about a reflector is that I rarely have a spare pair off hands.... how do u manage shooting and reflecting?

Also on the wedding photography course I went on we were told to use flash to fill in, as a reflector can make people feel uncomfortable, as they are likely to be a bit alien to them....

any thoughts?

[Hicarrumba]

:( I got a car window screen reflector as a make do one

I have 2 Kim, they work perfectly well and they roll up neatly too.

[Hicarrumba]

Bryan,

Only thing that bothers me about a reflector is that I rarely have a spare pair off hands.... how do u manage shooting and reflecting?

Also on the wedding photography course I went on we were told to use flash to fill in, as a reflector can make people feel uncomfortable, as they are likely to be a bit alien to them....

any thoughts?

As Kim said she and I use car window reflectors, In my kit I have a old telescopic ariel the reflector has a hole in it where the sticky pad goes, Stuck in the ground with the reflect hung on it, bag on the corner if its windy :top:

[bryan]

Bryan,

Only thing that bothers me about a reflector is that I rarely have a spare pair off hands.... how do u manage shooting and reflecting?

Also on the wedding photography course I went on we were told to use flash to fill in, as a reflector can make people feel uncomfortable, as they are likely to be a bit alien to them....

any thoughts?

depending on my subject, i may get them to hold it, while i take the shot, or get someone else to hold it, or in this sampl pic, i held it in my left hand crossed over my right and took the shot one handed. (and who said blokes cant multi task LO)L, all this while fending off my 2 year old aswell.

ive never found peeps alien to a reflector, infact most people accept it and ignore its there, tbh, and you have the added bonus of being able to see where the light is going before you take the shot, giving extra control:top:

[Marvin]

Bryan,

Only thing that bothers me about a reflector is that I rarely have a spare pair off hands.... how do u manage shooting and reflecting?

Also on the wedding photography course I went on we were told to use flash to fill in, as a reflector can make people feel uncomfortable, as they are likely to be a bit alien to them....

any thoughts?

Same here, I'm a bit of a strobist me. Also helps if the light is a bit low.. ;)