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Positioning Of Reflectors
Hi all, I'm looking at using reflectors for outdoor shooting for the first time and whilst I understand the basic principles behind the usage I thought I'd ask you guys if there are certain things I should be looking for to know I have my reflector in the correct place and/or if there are any "golden rules" i should follow when using one. It is a basic silver reflector. I'd even be very happy to see any set-up photos if anyone has them! Thanks in advance Rob Jun 25 08 11:25 pm Link It's really just dependent on where the light is coming from to begin with. Not really any hard fast rules persay. Just get your light on the subject, and in a way that makes you happy or meets your needs (for example, full on or just one side, fill, etc.) In the end, its just get that reflected light to shine where there's not enough or none at all. Jun 25 08 11:40 pm Link :] Jun 25 08 11:41 pm Link Robshots wrote: It depends on the look you're going for. Robshots wrote: * Lighting Setup Tutorials: basic to advanced Jun 26 08 12:05 am Link Here's a good way to practice: Go outside Use a still-life subject like a potted plant Try bouncing the sun's light onto the plant with a hand mirror, and then when you've got the angle right, with the reflector. Play with the light until you get the look you're going for. Then move the plant around, or pick a new subject. Repeat. That way you aren't fumbling in front of a model. Jun 26 08 12:06 am Link Kristine Kreations wrote: This is a wonderful suggestion. Seems so simple but wish I had thought of it when I was learning. I fumbled around in front of the model instead. Jun 26 08 12:24 am Link Kevin Connery wrote: Can you elaborate on this one please? Jun 26 08 12:27 am Link Kevin Connery wrote: Shon D Photography wrote: A main light is frequently intended to provide the shaping and contouring, and for people, that's almost always more flattering when the light is coming from above and off-axis. Rembrandt, split-lighting, broad-lighting, short-lighting, and any of a hundred other standard portrait lighting setups work that way. Jun 26 08 12:57 am Link A silver reflector may provide too much fill making it obvious. You should also have a white reflector. White outdoors produces a softer more subtle fill. Jun 26 08 01:01 am Link Black Ricco wrote: If I make take issue for a moment - "too much" and "obvious" are not the correct words to use here. The use of a reflector reflects (no pun intended) the photographer's aesthetic decision - to place light where previously there was insufficient. "Obvious" is only a word to apply if you are producing photographs for appraisal by other photographers. Jun 26 08 01:00 pm Link All to often on these threads we see examples of pure lighting set ups. Maybe we could have some of your pro photogs help the less experienced (ie. ignorant) photographers like my self with some diagrams like that HUGE lighting one they have on another site. The whole thread is basically showing the end photo, and having either photos or diagrmams of the exact set up. Call me technical, but I love seeing that type of stuff and it would be greatly welcomed I am sure. Just a thought Esp.. since I just purchased some 42 inch reflectors. But I dont think those will be big enough to cover a whole person, so .. again post some set ups lol.. Thanks in advance btw! Setups of just reflectors and natural light... Or set ups one maybe 1 light and reflectors only Jun 26 08 01:07 pm Link Robshots wrote: The quickest and best way is to go out with a model and a photographer experienced at using reflectors. Then walk around, looking at and analyzing the light, and what the reflector does in various positions. Note particularly the lighting on the face, and the catchlights in the eyes. Jun 26 08 01:09 pm Link A simple rule of physics: The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. Place the reflector where it will catch the light. Tilt it so the angle to the sun is the will be the same (but opposite) angle to where you want the light to go. That's the maximum light possible for that position and distance. If you want less light, increase the distance from the model or feather it. Feather, means angle the reflector so instead of the center of the reflection hits the model, the edge of the light is on the model (less light). Other than that, just look. You can see what's happening with a reflector. It's not like flash. Jun 26 08 01:20 pm Link Leonard Gee Photography wrote: Best answer. Jun 26 08 01:27 pm Link I treat them a lot like studio lights. I even have a large diffuser panel to use like a soft-box... Often I use the main available light as my main fill light...rarely in direct sun, and use the reflectors as hair lights, enhancement, etc... If in direct sun, I use my diffuser to soften the light as well... My main problem is I hate to carry a bunch of stands...so I bring an assistant and hope they bring an escort...lol The picture above was taken in a parking garage around 7pm. The main, softened light, came from the left through a large open window. I had my assistant hold a small reflector on the right at about a 30 to 45 degree angle, 3 to 5 feet away, accenting features on the other side of her face. This is a case where size matters...using too big of a reflector would have accented too much taking away from the dramatic effect. Too close would have been too bright doing the same... Oh...and outside I always use white or silver reflectors when reflecting sunlight.... If using flash to fill when sunny, I use gold or white, depending on the effect wanted... Jun 26 08 01:34 pm Link A reflector is intended to lighten the shadow side, not obliterate the natural shadows. When used at the opposite side from a light, (180 degrees) as it so often is, it can leave the subject with a darker shadow in the middle of the face than at the shadow side. Ideally, it should be in the same position as the "fill," light if you were using a fill. Jun 26 08 01:43 pm Link My last outdoor shoot depended heavily on use of a silver reflector. I was shooting under a 12:00 noon sun, from the model's back. Reflector was 30ft away to avoid a harsh light.. worked very well for this one A "live" version of this panorama is in my port here on MM Jun 26 08 03:45 pm Link |