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08/30/2009 04:21:41 PM · #1 |
I have what I will admit is probably a cheap reflector.. I can't remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't much.. It has a white side & a silver side.. The issue is the white side doesn't seem to do anything at all.. So, when I'm outdoors, I always need to use the silver side and it ends up becoming an issue because it seems to burn the cornea of the people I'm shooting..
I've tried having someone stand back further, go at it from all different angles, only shine it on them when I'm about to actually snap the picture and the results are fine, but the process really sucks..
Does anyone use a reflector they love and find this problem doesn't happen.. Am I doing something wrong with mine??
I saw an article on a reflector made by California Sunbounce that supposively you can hold yourself while taking pictures and I was curious if anyone here has tried this one yet.. I don't know how coordinated you have to be to pull this one off... |
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08/30/2009 04:30:19 PM · #2 |
| When I have used a reflector I never have the model or subject looking directly into the reflector. I have always used a reflector for fill light so the reflector is either to a side (at an angle) or below the subject. I have never had that problem and I am thinking it is because of how I use the reflector as a fill light rather than a direct light. |
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08/30/2009 05:21:56 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Mike_Adams:
When I have used a reflector I never have the model or subject looking directly into the reflector. I have always used a reflector for fill light so the reflector is either to a side (at an angle) or below the subject. I have never had that problem and I am thinking it is because of how I use the reflector as a fill light rather than a direct light. |
No, I know this.. I am using it as a fill light only.. I would never shine the light directly in anybody's eyes.. For some reason, my reflector, even coming at them from an angle is still extremely bright on one side and non existent on the other..
So, when you use your's, which side do you use most often ??? |
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08/30/2009 05:27:28 PM · #4 |
 
This is an example of the last shoot I did.. This family was so blinded by the reflector that the gal assisting me had to shine the fill light directly below their faces until I finished my count down and right before the shutter snapped, she tilted it up so the fill light would then be where we wanted it..
And, she's standing with the reflector off to my right side about 4 feet away and 2 feet behind me.. So, am I doing this wrong.. How can everyone I shine this reflector on act as if I'm stabbing them in the eye..
Message edited by author 2009-08-30 17:28:45. |
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08/30/2009 08:50:01 PM · #5 |
Some people are simply super sensitive to light, or at least they're psychologically sensitive. I was doing a wedding this summer, shooting a group that was in the shade and by no means being "blinded" (just by the ambient light... no reflector involved).
One person said something about it being so bright, and this triggered a sudden outbreak of blindness amongst the rest of the people. Just the suggestion that it was bright was enough for these people to wig out on me. Very weird.
When possible, especially with a group, I try to use strobe lighting rather than reflectors anyway. It seems that people are much less prone to squinting with some fill flash instead of a constant light of some sort. |
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08/30/2009 10:20:53 PM · #6 |
I use white side only. In fact I go the really cheap route if I am outside like the shots you gave as examples and go with white foam core board. MUCH cheaper than pro photo supplies and does the job just as well. Typically I have had to get pretty close with the reflector to get the 1/2 stop or so that I am looking to add in on the low light side. Even then I am only looking to light a side of the face or area under the chin if I am placing it underneath and having them hold it in their lap. But like Alan said . . . some people have burning retina syndrome :)
Good luck and my guess is you aren't doing anything wrong at all. :) |
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08/30/2009 10:24:01 PM · #7 |
| More light = more squint. If you manage to solve the squinting problem, it will be because the reflector is reflecting less light. The silver side of the 5-in-1 reflector is the most reflective side though. |
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