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Light Reflectors
I can’t remember a time I didn’t mumble ‘say what?’, when people asked me about the lighting I use in my photography. Using natural light is so normal to me that a question like that just doesn’t click. It takes me a moment to realize that what they’re really asking me is what flash/studio light I use.
Well, none. For the life of me, I wouldn’t even know how to use strobes or studio lights. Especially not in food photography where one wrong reflection can ruin an entire image and where hot studio lights make everything on your plate melt into a big puddle of goo. I have great admiration for people who manage to make the most appealing looking food photos using studio light.
The one thing I can’t do without are light reflectors. Or bouncers, if you will. Especially when the days get shorter and the light is less intense to work with. But they also work as a ‘fill-in flash’ for sunny days. Let me tell you how I use mine.
I have three different sizes 5-in-one reflectors. I have the 60cm, 80cm and 105cm.
For my step-by-step shots I prefer using the 60cm reflector—it doesn’t get in my way of shooting and I don’t have to bend over backwards to work around it. I either use the 60 or 80cm for my intro and end shot. Looking back, I could have done with just a silver reflector and maybe one white reflector, since I rarely use the gold and black reflectors.
Here’s what they do and what I use them for:
—The silver reflector gives a more specular light: it works like a mirror. It gives quite a bit of contrast and somehow it saturates the colors. It works great for food photos.
—The gold reflector adds a warm golden tone on your subject that works for some dishes, but definitely for all. It can be very overpowering. I used it in my Crash Hot Orange Potatoes to simulate a more sunny afternoon kind of feel.
—The white reflector reflects a moderate amount of light but also lightly de-saturates the colors on the subject. I like to use this one for food shots that require a mellow and somewhat diffuse look (Like my into shot for the Hasselback Potatoes.) and for portraits. Mine also doubles as a light diffuser for extremely sunny days.
—The black reflector subtracts light by absorbing it. Sounds freakier than it is. I mainly use this one to eliminate reflections from glass and plastic, like I used it to cut some of the reflections in my Ham, Cream Cheese & Chives Mousse. I’ve also used it to absorb light and make the intro shot in my Brussels Sprouts Go Kayotic more dramatic.
Now I’m curious: do you work with natural light, reflectors, strobes or studio lights in your photography? if you do, please, link me! I’ve always been told that studio strobes makes it look like you didn’t use any lights at all. Not sure that’s true or even possible. Maybe it’s time I take my first steps into the world of strobes.
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I really appreciate all the photography posts that you do, Kay. I get so much new information from each and every one of them. I don’t have any professional reflectors but I use a white foam board opposite the window where I’m shooting my into shot. Never even thought of using one for the demonstration shots. I’d probably have flour or something all over it!
I haven’t played around with studio lighting at all and I haven’t even tried a reflector, but those seem easy enough with a lot of reward so maybe I’ll look into them. Thanks for sharing!
so do you have your reflectors on a stand, like the leading picture shows or do you just prop it up nearby? I’d love to see a shot of the entire set up and then the resulting picture! :) Thanks for sharing though. I own one of those reflectors and haven’t used it in a while… i need to get back to that!
@Catherine:
I keep it on the exact same stand stand you see in the first picture. Thoguth now and then i’ll also just hold it up when I release the shutter.
GREAT post! I use natural light and homemade reflectors – white foam board or cardboard wrapped with aluminum foil. When there is isnt enough sin light, I use lowel ego lights.
@Veggie Belly:
That’s what I did for a long time, used a piece of cardboard with tin foil glued to it. It worked like a charm but I was amazed how much more light these reflectors gave me. They are cheap, though. I think I paid $15 for the 5-in-one 60cm alone.
I use natural light and a white 3-ring binder (with or without foil) as a reflector. I’m too broke to get one of those nice ones like you have haha. I hope to one day get one, though. It would help me immensely.
I just saw how much you paid for the reflectors. I’m going to search around for a comparable price. Thanks, Kay!
I was thinking to buy real reflectors and wondered which one I have to choose. So far, I only use mirror. Thanks for the share!
How do you attach the light reflector to your light stand?
Very useful info! i’m on the market for new reflectors. What I’m using now is a big, white foam board that came in the box with a table I bought. It’s been really useful, but I need to upgrade my photography gear.
Great article ! I always use natural light in all my food photos. You can come to my blog to see my behind the scene photos. I don’t even have the reflectors like yours.