Bouncing with reflectors

David Delaney · January 31st, 2008, 02:37 PM

Just out of curiousity
1) what is the most reflective?
2) which is the most natural?

a) White
b) Silver
c) Gold

Chris Soucy · January 31st, 2008, 04:42 PM

Q1 - b, c, a

Q2 - ah, now that's a good Q.

b & c do not scatter, so will give a harder fill. c will be warmer no matter what the light source. a will give a softer less industrial look but will simply reflect (in all senses of the word) the colour temp of the incident light.

a + c should give you the best of both worlds.

CS

Heiko Saele · February 1st, 2008, 03:36 AM

I don't like gold reflectors too much, I think the color is just too brownish-yellow. I wouldn't mind that color on skin, but when a person smiles, the teeth reflect that brownish color as well...
In some cases gold might be fine, just be careful. There are however half gold half silver reflectors - I haven't used one of them, but the concept seems promising.

Charles Papert · February 1st, 2008, 04:23 PM

Checkerboard (half silver, half gold) reflectors do indeed end up with a pretty neutral color tone. If I had to choose one or the other I'd go with the silver as the gold is indeed usually too much unless one is trying to replicate a late afternoon golden light (pretty much only works as a hair light).

What is arguably the most natural color for bounce is unbleached muslin, which is a pale beige in color. It is also the least reflective of anything you'd be likely to bounce with so you need a lot of it.

Ger Griffin · February 1st, 2008, 07:34 PM

Lastolite call it sunfire.
www.lastolite.com

January 31st, 2008, 02:37 PM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Bouncing with reflectors - which color? Just out of curiousity 1) what is the most reflective? 2) which is the most natural? a) White b) Silver c) Gold

January 31st, 2008, 04:42 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,693 Images: 18	Hi David................... Q1 - b, c, a Q2 - ah, now that's a good Q. b & c do not scatter, so will give a harder fill. c will be warmer no matter what the light source. a will give a softer less industrial look but will simply reflect (in all senses of the word) the colour temp of the incident light. a + c should give you the best of both worlds. CS

February 1st, 2008, 04:23 PM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Checkerboard (half silver, half gold) reflectors do indeed end up with a pretty neutral color tone. If I had to choose one or the other I'd go with the silver as the gold is indeed usually too much unless one is trying to replicate a late afternoon golden light (pretty much only works as a hair light). What is arguably the most natural color for bounce is unbleached muslin, which is a pale beige in color. It is also the least reflective of anything you'd be likely to bounce with so you need a lot of it. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 1st, 2008, 03:36 AM	#3
Heiko Saele Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wurzburg, Germany Posts: 316	I don't like gold reflectors too much, I think the color is just too brownish-yellow. I wouldn't mind that color on skin, but when a person smiles, the teeth reflect that brownish color as well... In some cases gold might be fine, just be careful. There are however half gold half silver reflectors - I haven't used one of them, but the concept seems promising.

February 1st, 2008, 07:34 PM	#5
Ger Griffin Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 579	Lastolite call it sunfire. www.lastolite.com