How Necessary are Reflectors?

[TylerGS]

Everything I've read about lighting outdoor portraits involves using a reflector. I plan on eventually getting a couple reflectors and a diffuser – but I don't have enough money right now. Just how important is using a reflector when shooting outdoor portraits?

[lputman]

For a cheap starting point, you can use foamcore/posterboard (it really works).

Reflectors are important with natural light photography because that is how you control the light. You might need to lighten shadows on a subject, you would use a reflector to do so. You might want more light reflected onto the subject, you would use a reflector to aid in this endeavor. Reflectors can be an important tool for outstanding natural light photography.

[dakwegmo]

Lori summed it up nicely. Dollar for dollar, there's nothing that will improve your natural light photos more than a reflector. There's no need to spend a fortune on one either. I use a name brand version of this one: Amazon.com: Janco 43" 5-in-1 Collapsible Disc Photo Reflector -- Translucent, White, Black, Silver, Gold, with Carrying Case: Electronics and probably spent too much on mine. I love the look it gives my shots though.

[zappo]

For outdoor shooting, especially in the bright sunlight a reflector is really good, i.e. you can place the model in the shadows and get some light on her with the reflector.

If you want a really cheap one get a polystyrene panel from a hardware store and glue aluminium foil to one side (you will need polystyrene glue for that - also hardware store). So you have a white/silver reflector. In really bright daylight you can also use the panel as it is.

Also you will get a small one on ebay from 15$ on. The size largly depends on what you want to illuminate. If you do only head shots a small one is enough. For a full body shot you will need one that is as large as the person.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

Reflectors will further allow you to reduce the contrast range, which will mean getting considerable details in both shadows & highlights. if you don't want to wish much on them, you can use a thermocol sheet which works just well.

[TylerGS]

Makes sense. Thanks everyone for the replies and help. =)

@dakwegmo: *Gasp* That reflector is 1/3 the price of the one on my wish list! Thanks so much for the link. =D

[tasmo2]

Originally Posted by TylerGS

Makes sense. Thanks everyone for the replies and help. =)

@dakwegmo: *Gasp* That reflector is 1/3 the price of the one on my wish list! Thanks so much for the link. =D

Probably a reason for that.. check it closely before you settle!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by tasmo2

Probably a reason for that.. check it closely before you settle!

Mine is a 40" x 60" 5-in-one no-name I got off Ebay for $35 a year and a half ago - it's been through hell and back and it's still in great shape.

Mind you, I'm not saying that the Amazon one will be just as good, but I did want to point out that the super-expensive ones are not necessary (unless you're out shooting every day in every type of weather condition).

[TylerGS]

Based on the review (unfortunately there was only one) it's a good reflector. But then it wouldn't hurt to do a little deeper research.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by zappo

For outdoor shooting, especially in the bright sunlight a reflector is really good, i.e. you can place the model in the shadows and get some light on her with the reflector.

I have read numerous times about using a silver reflector in bright sunshine to "bounce some light back into the face of your subject" so I simply had to try it with so many pros suggesting it so I had my subject face away from the sunshine so his face was in shadow and then used a silver reflector to bounce some of that beautiful bright sunshine back into his face. Really bounced that light back. He complained that it took several seconds for him to be able to see again however.

Benji