Translucent reflectors and war ... what are they good for? at DVinfo.net

Michael Wisniewski · July 22nd, 2004, 09:29 PM

In what situations are translucent reflectors most useful?

Barry Green · July 22nd, 2004, 10:26 PM

For simulating a softbox or an outdoor "silk". Shine a light through the translucent reflector and it'll become a larger, softer light source. For outdoors use you'd put the translucent reflector between the sun and your subject, to turn the sunlight into a softer light source.

Greg Matty · July 23rd, 2004, 02:43 PM

I think they can be indsipensible outdoors. I have seen many movies where a wide angle shot shows characters in broad daylight but when they cut to a close up, they appear in shadow. Open Range comes to mind.

I would love to place one in front of a 500 watt work light or Tota to see how good a job it does. In fact, I bought a photoflex stand and litedisc holder not realizing the support arm went across the back of the diffuser disc. So if I try to shine a light through it, that big black bar will get in the way. That also prevents it from being used outdoors to diffuse sunlight. I guess that is why there are so many low paid assistants around?? :)

I am still looking for a lightdisc holder that wraps around the disc.

Greg

Michael Wisniewski · July 23rd, 2004, 03:06 PM

So do you ever actually use it to reflect light? As opposed to diffusing it?

Barry Green · July 23rd, 2004, 06:59 PM

You wouldn't use a translucent disc to reflect light, you'd use a white, silver or gold disc to reflect. Unless you wanted a really *weak* reflector, in which case perhaps the translucent one would work for that.

As for the litedisc holder, you're talking about an extendable rod with two spring clamps on it, right? And they say to normally clip one of the clamps on each side of the disc, right? Just don't do that. Hang the disc from the rod, putting both spring clamps on top. As long as you're not in windy conditions you can hang it like that and blast a light through it.

For outdoor windy conditions it's way better to have someone holding it.

Greg Matty · July 25th, 2004, 04:40 PM

That is a dang good idea. I don't know why but I would probably not thought about doing that. I am looking forward to trying that now.

Greg

<<<-- Originally posted by Barry Green : You wouldn't use a translucent disc to reflect light, you'd use a white, silver or gold disc to reflect. Unless you wanted a really *weak* reflector, in which case perhaps the translucent one would work for that.

As for the litedisc holder, you're talking about an extendable rod with two spring clamps on it, right? And they say to normally clip one of the clamps on each side of the disc, right? Just don't do that. Hang the disc from the rod, putting both spring clamps on top. As long as you're not in windy conditions you can hang it like that and blast a light through it.

For outdoor windy conditions it's way better to have someone holding it. -->>>

July 22nd, 2004, 09:29 PM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Translucent reflectors and war ... what are they good for? In what situations are translucent reflectors most useful?

July 22nd, 2004, 10:26 PM	#2
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	For simulating a softbox or an outdoor "silk". Shine a light through the translucent reflector and it'll become a larger, softer light source. For outdoors use you'd put the translucent reflector between the sun and your subject, to turn the sunlight into a softer light source.

July 23rd, 2004, 02:43 PM	#3
Greg Matty Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 177	I think they can be indsipensible outdoors. I have seen many movies where a wide angle shot shows characters in broad daylight but when they cut to a close up, they appear in shadow. Open Range comes to mind. I would love to place one in front of a 500 watt work light or Tota to see how good a job it does. In fact, I bought a photoflex stand and litedisc holder not realizing the support arm went across the back of the diffuser disc. So if I try to shine a light through it, that big black bar will get in the way. That also prevents it from being used outdoors to diffuse sunlight. I guess that is why there are so many low paid assistants around?? :) I am still looking for a lightdisc holder that wraps around the disc. Greg

July 23rd, 2004, 03:06 PM	#4
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	So do you ever actually use it to reflect light? As opposed to diffusing it?

July 23rd, 2004, 06:59 PM	#5
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	You wouldn't use a translucent disc to reflect light, you'd use a white, silver or gold disc to reflect. Unless you wanted a really weak reflector, in which case perhaps the translucent one would work for that. As for the litedisc holder, you're talking about an extendable rod with two spring clamps on it, right? And they say to normally clip one of the clamps on each side of the disc, right? Just don't do that. Hang the disc from the rod, putting both spring clamps on top. As long as you're not in windy conditions you can hang it like that and blast a light through it. For outdoor windy conditions it's way better to have someone holding it.

July 25th, 2004, 04:40 PM	#6
Greg Matty Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 177	That is a dang good idea. I don't know why but I would probably not thought about doing that. I am looking forward to trying that now. Greg <<<-- Originally posted by Barry Green : You wouldn't use a translucent disc to reflect light, you'd use a white, silver or gold disc to reflect. Unless you wanted a really weak reflector, in which case perhaps the translucent one would work for that. As for the litedisc holder, you're talking about an extendable rod with two spring clamps on it, right? And they say to normally clip one of the clamps on each side of the disc, right? Just don't do that. Hang the disc from the rod, putting both spring clamps on top. As long as you're not in windy conditions you can hang it like that and blast a light through it. For outdoor windy conditions it's way better to have someone holding it. -->>>