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
October 9, 2008 at 6:13 PMNice! I’ll have to try that the next time I’m not shooting HDR! :)
subcorpus
October 9, 2008 at 6:13 PMthanks for the tips lisa …
appreciated …
Masey
October 9, 2008 at 6:23 PMGreat tips – cheers Lisa. Guess I know what I’m off to buy this weekend now… ;)
JeffDM
October 9, 2008 at 7:46 PMI 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
October 9, 2008 at 11:02 PMThanks for the tips Lisa :)
Kevbo
October 10, 2008 at 6:22 AMThere 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
October 10, 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
October 10, 2008 at 3:41 PMVery 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
October 13, 2008 at 10:57 AM[…] Found this via MostlyLisa’s site. […]
Daniel Timoldi
June 15, 2009 at 6:19 AMNice post. Thanks for the info. Also, I find a 8×10 grey card does a nice job of providing fill light.
Steve Partridge
July 10, 2009 at 6:59 PMThis was very helpful! I really enjoyed the video clips they explained a lot.
Thanks for posting this!
Kim
October 9, 2009 at 8:21 PMHi Lisa! I found your blog through your Flickr– I was doing a search trying to learn more about the technical aspect of diffusing/reflecting light and just being a good assistant in general. This post was super helpful, and I love the idea of using a whiteboard as a bounce!
Thanks so much, I’m so glad to have discovered your blog!
Kristin
January 16, 2013 at 1:35 PMYou are an absolutely amazing photographer.. the best I’ve seen in awhile! Pleasure looking at your photos! :)