Video by Redpilot Media.
Learning how to correctly using diffusers and reflectors will make a huge difference in your portrait photography. But don’t just take my word for it… Watch and learn from this footage I captured of Scott Bourne and Scott Stulberg demonstrating how to use diffusion and reflection to get nice, soft light on ANPW contest winner, Cathy Chung at the Mormon Row Barns in the Grand Tetons.
Travel & stock photographer, Scott Stulberg never leaves home without his 32″ Photoflex diffuser and soft/gold reflector ($40). And if you’ve seen Scott’s photos you’ll know that he is a master at lighting his subjects.
Reflector/diffuser combos are light, portable, and fit nicely in most photobags, especially the Lowepro CompuTrekker backpack. If you have a smaller bag you can always get a smaller bounce! They come in loads of different sizes and are pretty affordable… mostly.
Like all things associated with photography, reflectors can get pricey and I understand that you might not have the bucks to buy a decent bounce. So if you are on a shoestring budget, head to your nearest craft or Staples and buy a few white board for $2 each. Then, put your subject in the shade so you don’t need to diffuse the sun. Done. cool.
I have a bunch of whiteboards lying around my apartment that I can quickly grab for indoor macros or for quick shoots on the fly. I still use them on shoots and find them really handy and quite durable.
Using a whiteboard as a bounce is cool and cheap.
Now go take pictures and be merry!
Kenny Hyder said on October 9th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Nice! I’ll have to try that the next time I’m not shooting HDR!
subcorpus said on October 9th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
thanks for the tips lisa …
appreciated …
Pasquale said on October 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
How about John chow’s 10 tips to get women?!
Masey said on October 9th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Great tips - cheers Lisa. Guess I know what I’m off to buy this weekend now…
JeffDM said on October 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I keep whiteboards like that for other kinds of work.
As far as camera gear goes though, $40 is still pretty cheap. It is still a good technique to know just in case something comes up and it needs to be McGuyvered.
Urban Dweller said on October 9th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Thanks for the tips Lisa
Kevbo said on October 10th, 2008 at 6:22 am
There are lots of fun ghetto diffusers and reflectors to be had in a pinch. Gold and silver wrapping paper can work if you’re desperate at a holiday party. Cheap bedsheets, wax paper, aluminum foil (dull side) etc.
In The Sphere: Vancouver in Focus | BlueFur.com said on October 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
[...] some of that shutterbug enthusiasm through one of her most recent posts. In it, she talks about how to create soft light using diffusion and reflection. Check it out and you’ll take better pictures [...]
Mel said on October 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Very informative! Thanks for this. I used a diffuser for a few shoots during the summer, but I probably didn’t know what I was doing with it as much as I should have.
Trying To Find The Road Not Taken » Blog Archive » Creating Soft Light said on October 13th, 2008 at 10:57 am
[...] Found this via MostlyLisa’s site. [...]