Anyone use a reflector?

rosselliot · August 25, 2007

I'm looking into getting one, I'm having a hard time choosing a good size or color. I've read that it's hard to handle squinting with a pure shiny gold or silver because it actually reflects TOO much light...so what is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/42096-REG/Photoflex_DL1542ZZ_42_Reflector_Soft.html like? it's a "soft gold" anyone have experience with that?

If anyone would like to go over some etiquette or things to remember when using a reflector, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks in advance!

- Ross

wesleyt · August 25, 2007

I've got a 42" Westcott 6-in-1 Kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279427-REG/Westcott_1032_Illuminator_Reflector_Kit_6_in_1.html

and love it. It's great for fill light in outdoor portraits. The versatility is excellent and it folds up neatly so it's quite portable.

wesleyt · August 25, 2007

I use the gold or "sunlight" reflectors when I need a bit more warmth, like in the shade. I use the white when I need more light, and the silver when I need a lot more light.

My subjects indeed do squint at times with the silver or gold reflectors, especially when they're reflecting the sun. I switch to the white reflectors to avoid this.

Manfr3d · August 25, 2007

I have a 12", 24" and a 54" foldable silver/gold reflector.

The 12" is great for flowers/macros and the 24" just right
for portrait work. The 50" is the way to go for full body
portraits. The only thing I really miss is a white reflector
because gold can be too warm and silver too harsh
at times.

I recommend you to pick the size depending on your
shooting style and get one that has a gold, silver and
white surface. The later can also be used as a diffusor
to make bright sunlight softer - very handy sometimes.

You can get good quality reflectors for almost half the
price mentioned in your link on ebay btw.

pathfinder · August 26, 2007

rosselliot wrote:

I'm looking into getting one, I'm having a hard time choosing a good size or color. I've read that it's hard to handle squinting with a pure shiny gold or silver because it actually reflects TOO much light...so what is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/42096-REG/Photoflex_DL1542ZZ_42_Reflector_Soft.html like? it's a "soft gold" anyone have experience with that?

If anyone would like to go over some etiquette or things to remember when using a reflector, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks in advance!

- Ross

Impact makes a nice one with a stand to hold it as well, Ross. I think I paid about $139 at B&H

White, silver, gold, white silk scrim, and black all for the same 42 inch ring. The Black is a lot of help to create a shadow at times.

Without a stand, you have to have an accomplice who can follow directions. Or hire someone and pay them. A stand sounds better and better doesn't it?

evoryware · September 4, 2007

Having had no hands on experience with a reflector, I bought an impact
5-in-1 (I think it's 52 or 62 inch) and later a 22 inch. I have the impact reflector stand similar to this setup:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283648-REG/Impact__42_5_in_1_Reflector_with.html

For the few people I've used it with, gold and silver can be too harsh a reflection in mid day sun so I'll use solid white to reflect the sun or I'll use the translucent white for the sun to shine through and it creates a shade. The first day I tried it outside was with my wife. Silver, gold, silver+gold made her squint and also radiated heat. She loved when I used the translucent white to create shade! In this 2 it was 90+ degrees exif says 3 pm, lol:

This shot, sun to her right and slightly behind, silver reflector was too bright and would have made her hot so I switched to white. You can see it in her eyes.

10 minutes later sun was lower and more red so I switched to the silver reflector because it bounces back more light.

no reflector:

with silver reflector

playing with it some more I eventually got this:

rosselliot · September 4, 2007

thank you all for such great information!!!!

pathfinder · September 4, 2007

You can shoot flash THROUGH the white translucent screen to create a huge windowlight/softbox also.

The gold or silver reflectors do not have to reflect the sunlight - they can reflect skylight, or if the sun drops behind a handy cloud, also.

LiquidAir · September 4, 2007

I like the silver/gold surface of my Photoflex 5 in 1 as a main light when shooting outdoors. As for fill, I find all of the shiny surfaces too bright, so for that I use white.

ian408 · September 5, 2007

You can find them in both oval and round. The ovals are really more
rectangular.

I bought one of the Photoflex kits. That and a stand with arm to hold it.
Of course the stand is really only useful inside or with a heavy sand/shot
bag to hold it outdoors. Actually something to hold down any stand isn't
such a bad idea.

The gold reflector is nice if you want to warm up the light a bit. Same with
the white and toning down the sun light.

Good luck with your choice.

TristanP · September 5, 2007

I have several Amvona reflectors. One came with a hefty stand and arm (I think the 42" one). Something like this is what you're looking for. Just wait for the right auction and you're golden.

melissa6631 · September 16, 2007

TristanP wrote:

I have several Amvona reflectors. One came with a hefty stand and arm (I think the 42" one). Something like this is what you're looking for. Just wait for the right auction and you're golden.

I have never used a reflector but was told it is a good tool to have for the class I am taking. I just purchased one off of ebay but it doesn't come with a stand. Do I buy a stand or clamps? Also, how do I learn how to use them? Trial and error?

Which is better to use? The brogden clamps? Or an umbrella stand? Man I'm lost! Too much to learn and know!

evoryware · September 16, 2007

evoryware wrote:

I have the impact reflector stand similar to this setup:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283648-REG/Impact__42_5_in_1_Reflector_with.html

boom stand comes with clamps. What's the class for?
I'm learning trial and error.

windoze · September 16, 2007

melissa6631 wrote:

I have never used a reflector but was told it is a good tool to have for the class I am taking. I just purchased one off of ebay but it doesn't come with a stand. Do I buy a stand or clamps? Also, how do I learn how to use them? Trial and error?

Which is better to use? The brogden clamps? Or an umbrella stand? Man I'm lost! Too much to learn and know!

whoa..... slow down nelly ( I mean melly! )

here is the exact reflector Bryan will recommend but you will only use it in class for backlit portraits.......
http://www.adorama.com/LTPR5122.html?searchinfo=5%20in%201%20reflector

troy

ian408 · September 22, 2007

melissa6631 wrote:

I have never used a reflector but was told it is a good tool to have for the class I am taking. I just purchased one off of ebay but it doesn't come with a stand. Do I buy a stand or clamps? Also, how do I learn how to use them? Trial and error?

Which is better to use? The brogden clamps? Or an umbrella stand? Man I'm lost! Too much to learn and know!

You don't really need a stand. You can have an assistant hold it for you.

If you want a stand, a regular lighting stand and an arm to hold the
reflector is all you need.

As far as using it, you will need to learn through a little trial and error but
it's not that tough.

Anyone use a reflector?

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