Reflectors

[TBrown00]

Which color(s) of reflectors do you find are the most suitable? I come from a video background and have used reflectors there - mainly the silver ones. I'm looking at picking up a couple reflectors to use for my portrait photography. Here's how I understand how the different colors work:

White: bounces light onto subject
Silver: bounces more light than the white ones onto the subject
Gold: similar to silver, but with a warmer tone (never used this - do you ever?)
Black: use as a gobo
Diffuser: diffuses the light making it less harsh

To me, all except the gold seem useful. I guess my main question is: Do you ever use a gold reflector?

Also, anyone have any recommendations for a good reflector set? It doesn't have to be a 5-in-1, but I think most colors would be useful to have.

[autofocus]

We have rarely used the gold side... a little too warm for my liking. But I have seen shots where it was used well.

[Doug Sundseth]

Mine is the Westcott Photo Basics one, which works fine. (Around 29.95 at most of the usual places.) I've seen others as cheap as 14.99 that I can't vouch for personally, but they're pretty simple pieces of hardware.

FWIW, the gold reflector is intended as a warming reflector, used to provide a bit more flattering light for portraits.

[zona5101]

Gold: Not too often but sometimes it seems to fit the feel i want...
here's white reflector:


here's gold:


So like Vince inferred, it's a personal choice...this shot with the gold maybe too warm for some tastes...
I use white the most...followed by translucent...then gold or gold/silver.
I have the 42" and 52" Photoflex 5-in-1s and really like them.

[GreggObst]

The Westcott Photo Basics 5-in1 is a great value. You get one kit that folds down to nothing and includes white, silver, gold, black and a white diffusion panel. I think they are 46" round. Dirt cheap, good quality.

The Lastolite tri-grip silver/gold is pretty nice when you are working alone and you want to be able to hold the reflector yourself for up close work.

[TBrown00]

Thanks everyone! I'd heard about the cheap Wescott one before, but didn't know if they still made it since I couldn't find it on B&H or Adorama. I just found a 42" one on Amazon for $30.

[GreggObst]

Originally Posted by TBrown00

Thanks everyone! I'd heard about the cheap Wescott one before, but didn't know if they still made it since I couldn't find it on B&H or Adorama. I just found a 42" one on Amazon for $30.

Westcott 5-in-1 reflector on B & H:

Westcott 5-in-1 Reflector Disc - 40.5" (1 m) 301 B&H Photo

and on Adorama:
301 Westcott Photo Basics 40" 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector with Case.

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

i use mine all the time! sometimes its too uch, so i switch it out, since it takes all of wo seconds, but sometimes it turns out ok!

Jasmine by ijusteatedpie, on Flickr

i personally think it works better on people with darker skin tones. i've gotten some very flattering shots of several Indian friends with the gold, but some pretty gross shots of, pardon my bluntness, white friends. also according to the weather. some times i have the WB set cooler, but use the warming reflector to light the model. i dont have an example up on flickr, nor the space to put one up to show you, but it turns out pretty nice.

[John Hendry]

Originally Posted by GreggObst

Westcott 5-in-1 reflector on B & H:

Westcott 5-in-1 Reflector Disc - 40.5" (1 m) 301 B&H Photo

and on Adorama:
301 Westcott Photo Basics 40" 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector with Case.

Thanks for the links will have a look.

all the best