Help! Sppedlite or Reflector for outdoor/indoor people shooting

[rusteam]

Hello,

what i really need if i want to shoot outdoor (without assistant)- reflector or speedlite. I been watching a lot tutroial videos and some pro use fill flash while other use just a reflector. I'm confused here. Is it matter of personal choise? Or fill flash is more Pro way to shoot?

Can u help me to decide, as i dont want ot do wrong investment. I already have 5d ii and 50 1.2L

this is for outddor.

but for indoor i 100% need speedlite ()churches etc ??

thank you!

[zona5101]

If you can manage the reflector AND there is light to reflect, a large reflector is hands down a nicer light. But running w/out an assistant makes it hard to manage the reflector and you can't manage the weather...
Reflectors are cheap. Foamcore is cheap...even the nice 5-in-1 reflectors are not expensive.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by rusteam

Hello,

what i really need if i want to shoot outdoor (without assistant)- reflector or speedlite. I been watching a lot tutroial videos and some pro use fill flash while other use just a reflector. I'm confused here. Is it matter of personal choise? Or fill flash is more Pro way to shoot?

Can u help me to decide, as i dont want ot do wrong investment. I already have 5d ii and 50 1.2L

this is for outddor.

but for indoor i 100% need speedlite ()churches etc ??

thank you!

It's not the flash or the reflector that makes it, and I quote, "more Pro way to shoot". It is how you use them. You can get great shots-- or lousy shots, for that matter-- with either one. Just be careful, and practice before you do the actual shooting; be comfortable with what you're using. That being said, I agree with the previous post: if there's enough light, I'd use a reflector.

[Rentham]

I think many people underestimate how difficult it can be to use and position a reflector, especially a large one, without an assistant. I have a 48" x 72" silver/white reflector and that thing is a monster to handle. Given the choice to work with a single modifier by myself on location, I'd go with a speedlight and 60" reversible umbrella.

[TraceyHill3]

Originally Posted by Rentham

I think many people underestimate how difficult it can be to use and position a reflector, especially a large one, without an assistant. I have a 48" x 72" silver/white reflector and that thing is a monster to handle. Given the choice to work with a single modifier by myself on location, I'd go with a speedlight and 60" reversible umbrella.

I agree that a reflector is hard to handle! Also, I have a stand and if the wind picks up just a little, it's going over. Plus you have to aim it just right so you don't blind your subject but still light them enough. I would much rather use fill flash.

[SusanH1970]

I use my VARS (voice activated reflector stand).







Also known as my 13 year old who is learning about photography.

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

i third Rentham's statement on the difficulty on using reflectors solo. not easy. whenever i cant find a friend to be my stand.. erm, assistant, i usually try to balance it on my foot and in my mouth. and reflectors dont taste very pleasant (though they might if i smeared some bacon fat on it, hmmm).

having both a speedlight and a reflector, they're both very useful tools for outdoor portraiture. speedlight is a bigger investment, but an easier one, and can also easily be used for other tyles. for isnatnace, i use mine as a light source for product photography in my DIY light tent.
not to mention reflectors are CHEAP! you can get a 5-1 48" reflector on ebay or amazon for less than $45, easy. i also use my reflector on the white side to bounce the flash when i dont have a bounce surface.

Get both!

[friendship7]

I have a related question to the above.
8 individual head and shoulders shots to do.
In an office with floor to ceiling glass with super views across the city, the idea is to have each person stand with their back toward the glass and cityscape. unfortunately it's going to be early evening light. I have d7000 and 50mm 1.4.
My thoughts are to use a white reflector instead of lights (I have a large softbox light I could possibly use though)

Can anyone give a little advice to get the best shot?????

[rusteam]

so... using a reflector is cheaper but very HARD witout an assistant. To be able to use it i need some kind of tripod in some situtions. Which means extra gear to carry, and no much mobiliy.


Speedlite - expensive (good ones) but small. But you dont want to shoot off camera flash as it will not produce beautifull fill light.So many photographers use off camera flash. It means i need to get EXTRA stuff????

Is anyone getting great results with on camera flash in outdoor/indoor people photosessions??

I did a few photosessions (im learning) - pictures are nice, but light in most of them is not correct. And i dont have a reflector or speedlite.But i know i need to get something. There is almost no photograpers who dont use any of them. They are must. But which one...

Is anyone able to use reflector without an assistant in most cases ?? is it possible (without any stands)

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by rusteam

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Is anyone getting great results with on camera flash in outdoor/indoor people photosessions??

Sure...as fill flash... but it's just lifting the shadows a bit adding a bit of catchlight. Any more than that and direct on camera flash doesn't tend to look very good. Kirk Volcain is one pro who shoots on camera flash with his flash dialed down for some of his outdoor work

Is anyone able to use reflector without an assistant in most cases ?? is it possible (without any stands)

You almost can't use a reflector without a person or a stand. The only exception I know of is using one of the Lastolite refflectors that has a built in handle...even then there is only so far you can move it and still have hold of it.