Reflectors: A Lighting Tutorial

By Jay P. Morgan. In this Slanted Lens lighting tutorial we take a look at the basics of reflectors and how to use them on location. We shot Liz Hernandez from E-TV on location at the Ultimate Grave Yard and had a great shoot. From this shoot we are going to take a beginning look at reflectors, the different colors and practical application examples on how to use them. As a beginning photographer, using a reflector is an easy way to start to modify light and learn where to place the light source in relationship to your subject. Using reflectors and becoming good at placing them will teach you how to place strobes. Good light placement is the same for both strobes and reflectors but easier to see with a reflector than it is with strobes. The color examples used in this video are all based on Photoflex reflectors which can be seen at www.photoflex.com. Good luck and keep on click’n! Jay P. Morgan http www.tamron-usa.com www.glidecam.com www.henselusa.com http triplescoopmusic.com http

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48 thoughts on “Reflectors: A Lighting Tutorial

  1. You should really explain how you’re getting your camera exposure settings. Are you you using a hand held light meter? Spot metering from the camera? Or are you just eyeballing it and checking the histogram?

  2. I shot this tutorial and my next video Combining Strobes and Reflectors: A Lighting Tutorial in the same day. The pocket wizard was for the strobes in the second video.

  3. that was a very informative video!! Nicely done as always. I would really like to know the location of where the shoot took place in the desert!! Looks like an awesome place. Thanks

    Max

  4. Yes Jay, we love you! Warmest thanks from Austria for your concise, informative tutorials. I learn a lot from you and also wish you a fabulous 2012.

    @RaccaTography Do you mix them with other light sources of different temperature? Also, maybe tweaking your whitebalance could help.

  5. Not a good tutorial… not really seeing the difference, which IMHO is very slight in any case whenyou are using them this close… But I love the model… what a cutie!

  6. This isn’t that simple u have more dependencies , soft box is flat surface and give u more even light, umbrella is focuses light in the middle . Also depends on the distance and size of the lights

  7. This is not a difference between an umbrella and a soft box; it is only a matter of size. That is, a smaller soft box will give you harsher shadows than a big umbrella.
    Just sayin’…

  8. 2nd Part Nothing against Joe McNally he seems to be a really nice guy but you idiots out there dont realize all the big wizbang wow factor is all because those guys are sponsored by Canon & Nikon and other Companies who are making a mint off you guys by having those guys promote there products. 400 dollars for a limited battery flash. There are suckers born every minute. Do you think the guys shooting Vogue fashion covers r using pocket flashes? LMAOF.

  9. If you actually had been around long enough like me or like McNally you would not be so clueless that u dont even realize that all three of your fanboy idiots you idolize r making their actual photographic living at “Selling Products” to u & Doing Product Endorsements for flash Co. Also if you been around long enough like me you would also know McNally used Big Studio flashes most of the time in his career. So because Justin Timberlake Sells Music CD’s he is a great Singer? LMAOF

  10. I guess Joe McNally, Syl Arena, David Hobby, and other veteran professional photographers have been doing it wrong all these years with small flashes. 😉

  11. I been doing this for a living for 18 years not a weekend warrior. Most of what this guy says is very true. More important next is for him to explain “How to use a softbox” correctly as so many idiot Strobist fanboy morons use pocket flashes in a softbox when softboxes are designed to work properly only when you use a “Bare tube flash” not a directional tiny toy pocket flash.

  12. Nice tutorial with the perfect teacher’s tempo to be properly understood – Well done…Is it possible to contact the model? I adore her !!!!

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