What are the advantages of a reflector over an external flash?

[ajax_andy]

I was wondering if anyone could advise on the advantages of using a reflector over an external flash?

The only thing i can really think of is that you can see the way the light works before taking the shot when it's bounced back on the subject using a reflector, and maybe the light might be a little softer. But are there any other advantages?

[zona5101]

price.
especially price vs size of light. eg a 3'x6' reflector vs 3'x6' softbox (and thats not considering the amount of power needed to drive the softbox.)

size
Reflectors can also get in places where it might be hard to add a light and stand. Against a flat wall for example.

versatility
Reflectors can act as go-bos or difusers depending on material.

[Rentham]

You can laugh at your assistant as they try to figure how how the reflector folds up again.

[scootermcq]

Reflectors do not have a max sync speed

[ajax_andy]

Thanks for the replies - espeically Rethams as it reminds me of trying to fold up my collapsable soft box before giving up and leaving it as it was

I always kind of wondered just how effective they were compared to adding in the light yourself, take this example as an...erm example



This is a picture of my mother in law, and I hadn't taken my flash with me as was really just going out to shoot some scenery... one side of the face is very much in the shade, would adding a reflector to that side be better than using an external flash?

And just how effective are they? I always thought they'd make a bit of a difference but the comparisions to using a soft box sound like they are actually quite a powerful way of adding light.

[dakwegmo]

The batteries in my reflectors never die in the middle of a shoot.

[IABoomer]

A short quick video from TheSlantedLens on reflectors: Reflectors: A Lighting Tutorial - YouTube

One downside, obviously, is that a reflector needs another source of light to work. If the sun starts setting, you might not have enough light to reflect and use, where with a flash, you've always got light (provided batteries are charged, flash isn't broken, yadda, yadda, yadda).

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

A short quick video from TheSlantedLens on reflectors: Reflectors: A Lighting Tutorial - YouTube

One downside, obviously, is that a reflector needs another source of light to work. If the sun starts setting, you might not have enough light to reflect and use, where with a flash, you've always got light (provided batteries are charged, flash isn't broken, yadda, yadda, yadda).

Thanks for the link I'll have a look tonight

Yeah I understand it's more an addition to my setup than a replacement for a flash. I just want to make sure the benefit it worth the outlay before I buy one.

[Doug Sundseth]

You can buy a smallish reflector that has multiple colors and a diffuser for around $30. If you just want to try out the effect, you can pick up a piece of white foam core for around $2 and just give it a try. It won't be as efficient as a silver reflector, but it won't be really specular either. And it will give you quite a lot of light in the kind of situation that you showed in your sample pic.

[autofocus]

I think as photographers you need to have both. They (flash and reflectors) both serve a valuable purpose. Like Zona said above, reflectors serve multiple purposes..kind of analogous to the Swiss Army knife. The only downside of relectors is you usually need a second pair of hands to hold it, and how to use it properly needs to be learned...a little goes a long way. Also, they can be a real pain, and hard to dial in when it's windy.