Using a reflector??? Help?!?!

[Bellaryna]

Hi All.
Got a quick question here.
Hubby got me one of those collapsible reflector's as a gift. Both times that I have tried to use it I have nearly blinded the poor person getting their picture taken.
How exactly should I be using one of these things?
I thought it was for off setting shadows on the subject but when I try that I end up with an obvious "glare" on the person. And squinty eyes too!
Anyone know of a good website that tells when/how to use one of these things?
Thanks!
Dawn

[zona5101]

Does your reflector have more than one color? Typically shiny gold and silver are really bright. If yours has a white side that should give you a softer fill. No matter what the color, you can always feather the light...you don't have to have the brightest part of the reflection directly on the person. Just as you would feather an umbrella or softbox, you can feather the reflector. Feathering is another way to describe pointing the hottest part of the light off of your subject and only lighting them with the less powerful reflection coming off the edges of the reflector. The other thing to do is not use the reflector to reflect direct sun, reflect open sky instead.

[justin_ing]

You can check out strobist.com as they have a good breath of information on understanding lighting. But for the reflector, to some degree, it may blind your subject if its shining directly into their face. This usually happens outdoors when you have the sun behind the subject and have the reflector between the camera and the sun.

Reflectors are great for fill but the further they are from the subject, the less intense the "power" of light. The number of "stops of light" go up the further you go away. For hair lighting, back lighting, and highlighting its great.

My guideline is that I use is that a reflector is for fill or highlight and not my main light. Believe me though, I've broken this rule a few times to get the shot I wanted.