Welcome to the very first Lighting & Flash Challenges.
The whole idea of these challenges are to learn, practice and grow in your lighting & flash photography skills. The challenges will last approximately 3 – 4 weeks. Since the idea is to learn and grow be prepared to receive constructive suggestions and feedback from other 365 members on your photo(s) regarding the challenge(s).
I highly encourage others to feel free to provide construction feedback and encouragement regarding the specific subject of the challenge.
USING A REFLECTOR-
The first challenge is using a reflector in your photography. The outside sun is a great source of light to reflect from and onto your subject OR you can use window light to reflect from. These are not the only sources of light you may use but the most common ones that I am aware of when not using flashes or strobes.
Reflectors can be silver, or gold but the most used reflectors are white. Also, reflectors can also be black to absorb light and have more of a moody dramatic look. Which one you use will depend on what look you are going for in your shot. Reflectors are most often used in portrait photography but can be used in other forms such as macro photography as well. It will be fun to see how you incorporate a reflector in your shots.
Below are some links on how to use reflectors. If you don’t want to purchase a reflector you can make your own (I have a link below on some ways you can do that). I have used a white poster board many times and that always worked very well for me.
The goal is to play around and practice technical skills as well as being creative.
Please add your photo(s) to this thread. Also tag your pictures “lighting-1” This challenge will run until August 20th. Here is a link to view the photos as well: https://365project.org/tags/lighting-1
@myhrhelper Thanks for this, and thanks for the links, it looks as though this could develop into a very useful resource. I have already learned something as I never realised that a reflector could also be black. I am going to have a look at the links and then have a go, it is outside my comfort zone so a real challenge but that is good.
@myhrhelper Thanks so much for this new photographic challenge for me. I have never done anything with special lighting effects before and am looking forward to learning something new. Thanks for the links too, I am sure they will be very necessary :-)
A pair of photos showing what I was able to do with a reflector.
The two images were taken one after the other, and are straight from the camera. No editing or correction has been done to either image.
Window light was the main light on the shot. It was coming in from the left side of the flower.
In the second shot I used a white foam core board as the reflector, positioning it to the right, above and slightly behind the flower. I moved the reflector around until I was happy with the effect.
The difference for me is the upper image without the reflector has a harder light and more pronounced shadows. With the reflector I was able to soften the light and shadows and to to give a bit more light to the right hand side petals.
This is beautiful and very nicely done. I’m so glad you were able to show the with and without shots.sure can see softer shadows filled in a with light from the reflector
@allsop So it looks like you used the window light on your left (the right side of the image) and as a reflector for the left. I think it demonstrates how effective the reflect was in this case. I image it would be more of a Rembrandt lighting or split in 1/2 with the left side of the image pretty dark or shadowy.
I can't help thinking of Micky Mouse now that you pointed it out. LOL
@30pics4jackiesdiamond such a unique subject and method of using white & silver board reflectors. It looks very abstract(ish). I wonder what it looked like before the reflectors. I love seeing how everyone has a different creative take to the challenge
@myhrhelper it was a desperation shot! It looked very flat, grey and bland, my clear perspex sheet didn't do much, so I experimented with the silvered board.
@30pics4jackiesdiamond I think the subject was a more challenging one to use for the reflector. If you want to experiment with it some more you could use something like a coffee mug, or vase that isn't clear and on a sunny day set it in front of a window. Then use the reflector to try to catch the window light. I do think your subject is an interesting choice and it is fun to see how people use their creativity to interpret the shot.
I had two precariously balanced spotlights that didn’t look good so I added a white board slightly to one side and reflected the light which gave a much nicer softer light.
Oh a steep learning curve.
@wakelys Isn't learning something new fun?! The more you practice with using reflectors the more you will like it. This turned out well to add a little fill light and soften the otherwise harsh lighting.
@30pics4jackiesdiamond Jackie this is a wonderful way to really compare the differences. For me personally I like the white background better. Part of the reason may because of the size of the pictures and maybe my eyes are not sharp enough to see as much detail with the small examples. Couple things I noticed - looking at the white background window light row - I can notice the shadow becoming softer with the white reflector softer than the silver reflector and the one without the reflector the strongest shadow, The white reflect really brightened the image up the most but in a soft pleasing way. When I look at the photos from the desk lamp the color cast seems to be more yellow tone and that I believe is due to the type of light you you used. So I prefer the window light more than the desk lamp - however which you use will depend on your subject and the overall effect you are going for - there really is no right or wrong. On the desk lamp the silver did seem to add a bit more light than the white reflect in that case - it is possible the angle was slightly different than the light coming from the sun (I don't know. With the black background you can really tell how much better you can see the subject with the reflector shots than without it,. The white reflector appears a bit less harsh to me but again that will depend on what look you are going for. I have noticed when using a silver reflector on a person outside I get a little more shine on the skin which is something I try to eliminate in portraits post processing. Out of all 12 shots I like the window light with the white reflector the most.
@myhrhelper thank uou for such detailed feedback. I set out not to change anything other than reflector and exposure. Perhaps I could have been more adventurous. The rdvldctorscwerd held at tough lt the same angle
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Thank you so much for this, Kathy
I am looking forward to expanding my photo skills with this!!
The two images were taken one after the other, and are straight from the camera. No editing or correction has been done to either image.
Window light was the main light on the shot. It was coming in from the left side of the flower.
In the second shot I used a white foam core board as the reflector, positioning it to the right, above and slightly behind the flower. I moved the reflector around until I was happy with the effect.
The difference for me is the upper image without the reflector has a harder light and more pronounced shadows. With the reflector I was able to soften the light and shadows and to to give a bit more light to the right hand side petals.
I can't help thinking of Micky Mouse now that you pointed it out. LOL
A bit of sharpening and upped exposure with snapseed ( as this is a phone shot!)
Oh a steep learning curve.