DIY Network

Outdoor Portrait Photography: Using Reflector Boards From "The Whole Picture" episode DTWP-101

This portrait shot was aided by the use of a reflector board to provide added lighting in a shady situation.

NOTE: Images on this page may be enlarged for enhanced viewing simply by clicking on them.

In this episode of DIY's The Whole Picture, professional photographer Erin Manning shows viewers exactly how to achieve the best results in shooting outdoor portraits using a digital camera. In this second segment, Erin shows how to manipulate the available light by using reflectors.

Materials used in this episode:

Digital camera
Tripod
Reflector boards
Wax paper

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Figure A

Positive Reflections

Professional reflectors (figure A) are available from photo supply stores. These typically have one shiny side for reflecting a large amount of sunlight, and a white side that provides a softer reflected light. There are also gold surfaces for producing a warm, soft hue. But you don't have to purchase a professional reflector to take advantage of this technique. Regular aluminum foil can be used, and typically comes with one shiny side and one dull side. The two sides can be used to reflect more or less light. Simply wrap the foil around a wide, sturdy surface such as a piece of cardboard or baking sheet. Reflective auto-dash reflectors are another handy reflector. Some even come with a silver side and gold side. White sheets, poster-boards or foamcore boards are all good for providing a softer reflection.

Following below are some more tips for using a reflector as a photographic aid.

	Your subject can appear too dark due to lack of sunlight or too much shade.
	A reflector board can help provide more full illumination on your subject.
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Where shadows or bright light is present, use a reflective surface to cast additional light and fill in shadows on your subject.

• The key to a great photo is great light so a crucial tool for outdoor portraiture is a reflector board. Professional photographers use these in almost every exterior shoot. Reflectors come in varying sizes and are double-sided. In most cases, they come in white, silver and gold. White is more subtle and mostly used in direct sunlight and silver can be more helpful in really shaded areas. When you really want to cast a glow on someone, use gold reflectors, which are often used in close headshots or swimsuit pictures on the beach as they reflect the light and cast a golden hue to the subject, really warming it up.

• Most of the time, you want the reflector as close as possible to the subject without it actually appearing in the photo.

• With portraits, the reflector often needs to be tipped back at a 45-degree angle to fill-in the shadows under the chin, nose and eyes.

• Ideally, an assistant can help by positioning the reflector for optimum lighting while the photographer shoots (figure B). If you're on your own when taking head and shoulder portraits, rest the reflector against a bag or tripod.

• You can also ask your subject to hold the reflector in their lap, just out of view (figure C). This has the added advantage of giving them something to do with their hands.
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography
  Model: 002864235X
  Author: Steven Greenberg
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Prentice Hall
  Paramus, NJ 07652
  

  Digital Photography For Dummies
  Model: 0764506463
  Author: Julie Adair King
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Hungry Minds, Inc.
  

  Complete Digital Photography
  Model: 1584500077
  Author: Ben Long
  Order this book from Amazon.com.
  Charles River Media
  Website: www.charlesriver.com/
  

  50 Fast Digital Photo Techniques
  Model: 0764535781
  Author: Gregory Georges, Cris Rys
  To order this title from Amazon, click here.
  Hungry Minds, Inc.
  

  PC Photo magazine
  Website: www.pcphotomag.com
  Online version of the magazine devoted to digital photography and related technologies.
  

  RELATED PROJECTS: Digital Photography Primer Digital Photography: Controlling Exposure Digital Photography: Printing Your Digital Photos Digital Photography: Transferring Images to Your Computer

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Picking a Good Location
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Using Reflector Boards
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Flash and Zoom
  	Outdoor Portrait Photography: Photo-Editing Software