Technical Workshop: week three: controlling light

Learning Outcome: evaluate the use of reflectors and diffusers.

In our workshop today we were controlling light using reflectors and diffusers. We had been asked to bring in purchased or made by our own DIY skills reflectors and diffusers. 

The reflector I used within my group was a combination of white, silver, black and gold. This was a bought one as was the diffuser we used. 

A reflector bounces a light source off and reflects onto another object. This can create several effects depending on which colour reflector you use. For instance a silver reflector will create a cold feel to an image, whereas a gold reflector will create a warmth from its glow.

A diffuser is what’s placed between the light source and object, softening the light reflected on the object. 

Our first task asked us to take a portrait, without using reflectors or diffusers. This was only to set up our camera such as ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Here is the image for this task...

Task two required us to use reflectors and diffusers. With all reflectors (black, white, gold and silver) it asked for us to reflect the light onto the subjects face. With the diffuser, we had to place it between the light source and the object. Here are the images for this task...

Portrait with white card reflecting light into subjects face

Portrait with black card reflecting light into subjects face

Portrait with silver foil reflecting light into subjects face

Portrait using diffuser between model and light source

Task three… evaluation.

Q: Evaluate the effects of the different reflectors and diffuser. How does each of them alter the feel of a picture?

White reflector: The white reflector creates a natural glow to the image.

Black reflector: Darkens the reflecting light on the other side of the face

Silver reflector: Creates a cold glow

Gold reflector: Makes the skin tone look bronze and warms the image

Diffuser: softens the light. 

For task four we had to get creative, using the skills we had learnt and choosing a ‘feel’ for the image. We used a gold reflector for this task because the effect warmed the image up. It was my favourite out of the reflectors that we used.

What worked best?
The creative shot using a gold reflector worked best because it had a better effect across the image and was more visible in comparison to the other reflectors that we used.

What worked less well?

White reflector

Why do you think it worked less well?
I felt the white reflector worked less well because it didn't have as much impact as the others did. This was less noticeable and slightly boring.