Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Tutorial Tuesdays: Using Reflectors

Last year, for Mother's Day, I got a reflector. And then promptly set it aside and let it collect dust.

So when I saw that Tuesday Tutorials was focusing on using a reflector, I thought it was time to dust off the reflector, dust off my (mostly) willing favorite husband and try it out.

I don't exactly know what I'm doing, so I hope I can get some feedback.

This first photo is back-lit by 6 pm western light and a reflector held on my husband's left side. Should I be aiming the reflector higher up? Above his eyes?


This is the same set up with no reflector.




Next, I had him move so he was side lit, on his right side, by the sun, and the reflector positioned on his left.


And this shot is with no reflector.

Pin It

To learn more about Tutorial Tuesdays, check out the link below:

Tutorial Tuesday

10 comments:

Maria said...

Sweet Doug! Miss you both!

My 365 Project said...

The reflector really made a difference. How coincidental I just put a reflector on my mother's day list :) I'll have to check out the tutorial. I often use a small reflector in my macro work to direct the natural light to the darker parts of the flower. Thanks for sharinng!

Becca said...

Good for you for trying something new! :) The reflector definitely added more light, especially to his eyes. Were you using a gold reflector? Both of the reflector images have a very warm tone, especially the second one.

Angela2932 said...

Thanks, Becca. I WAS using a gold reflector. Do you think it's too warm? I did shoot in raw, and in ACR changed the "as shot" color balance to "daylight," and then reduced the warmth a bit, but maybe I should have reduced it further?

Ashley Sisk said...

I'm really still learning how to use my reflector but I love that it adds some dimension to his face. I like the warmth it adds as well. I bet that he could have held the reflector for you and just tilted it up on his face to bounce the light right onto his face. Not sure.

Nicki said...

I love reflectors - love them. In my humble opinion, you had better results with the side shots where the gold/warm light blends beautifully. I would have gone with a white to bounce the back-light - that way it would not be competing with the golden glow of the back-light. I would also be inclined to go with white because of Doug's glasses. The reflectiveness of gold/silver will add to the reflectiveness of his glasses.
Believe it or not, you can play with reflectors and non-human subjects as well - not saying Doug will bail on you - but in case all of a sudden he has to decline because Ruby is calling for his assistance, you have a back-up plan.

Reds said...

Can't help you but I can see what a difference ca reflector makes!! And a willing subject helps too!!

Anonymous said...

Oh! I love how you did with and without the reflector. So cool!! I think these are really good. That third shot is really awesome.

Barb said...

It definitely looks better with a reflector than without but how can you mess up on that sweet face.

Gina Kleinworth said...

I think they came out great- I usually have my reflector straight up & down- occasionally I will tilt a bit- but usually the kids are complaining that the reflection is too bright as it is :)