Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Use Photographic Reflectors

Bright sunlight can be used to bounce light onto a photographic model.


Photographic reflectors allow photographers and production teams to manipulate studio and natural lighting during a photo shoot. These photographic reflectors are available in silver and gold tones to bounce warm or neutral lighting onto one or more photographic models. Single reflectors can fill in a shadow on a single area of a model, while two or more reflectors can provide even lighting all around the model during a photo shoot.


Instructions


1. Position the model into the area where the photo session will take place. If shooting in a studio, adjust the studio lights to properly illuminate the person or object. Photographers shooting outside will need to move their model around to reduce or eliminate harsh shadowing and lighting.


2. Study the areas that remain dark and require additional lighting. Once identified, hold the photographic reflector with both hands and point it towards the light source in front or back of the model. Position the reflectors to bounce light only onto areas that require illumination.


3. Slightly bend the reflector outward to project the bounced light onto the photographic model. The photographic reflector can also be turned, lowered or raised to project the desired amount of light to fill in the shadows. Avoid bouncing light onto area that are well lit to prevent overexposure.


4. Place additional photographic reflectors onto reflector stands to illuminate other areas on the model. If reflector stands are unavailable, the reflectors can be placed on chairs or posts and held in place using large clamp clips. Clip the edges of the reflectors on to the chair or posts to keep them in place.


5. Keep the photographic reflectors in place it until the photographer has finished taking the shot. Reposition the reflectors each time the model is placed in a different pose or moved to a new location.







Tags: light onto, areas that, bounce light, during photo, during photo shoot