Using a Softbox - studio lighting beginners' guideSoftboxes are available in a range of sizes from around 40cms square up to the amazing Elinchrom Octa which is almost two metres across!

The most useful sizes for portrait work are the 70cm or 100cm square, although products like the Portalite 65x65cm are great value for money and work very well. Remember, the bigger the light the softer it is. To get the softest light from your softbox - get close! If used just out of view of the camera, it will give you a lovely, soft, diffused light.

The bigger it is the more “wrap-around” it will be - an Elinchrom Rotalux 100x100cm was used in these examples.

Softboxes give a lovely soft light.

Again, by adding a reflector panel we can fill the shadows on the opposite side. If I am using a matt light source like a softbox, I normally use a matt white reflector to match.

With a white reflector as a fill

 

As you can see from the diagram, this is the same set-up but with the addition of a background light which “lifts” the subject from the background.

A splash of light on the background really “lifts” the picture!

What is a Portable Reflector?

A portable reflector is simply an item that reflects light onto a object, but is compact enough to take anywhere. They are very useful in photography because you can easily give yourself more light to experiment with on a subject. Different coloured reflectors assist with changing the mood of an image.

An example of a use would be when shooting portraits outside. You may often see hard shadows across the face (often under the chin), but with the reflector you can reflect light onto these areas and instantly improve an image.

Different Colours and Styles

Gold – Creates a warm feel to the image, best when shooting animals and people.

Silver – Just reflects the natural sunlight onto a subject. They do increase the specular highlights of your subject and will give the final image a higher contrast.

White – Again it simply reflects the natural light onto the subject, it is softer than silver and less likely to blind a model!

Translucent Fabric – Diffuses light and therefore it is perfect for outdoor portraits.

Black – Slightly saps colour from the image but produces a natural tone.

Blue - They are uncommon but they create pleasant cool tones.

You could try to buy a “5 in 1 reflector” which contains all the different types for any situation you find yourself in. These don’t cost much more, and save buying a number of seperate ones.

Image: Marco Bernardini

How to Use a Portable Reflector

General Photography:

Get as close to the subject/person as you can without being in the shot. Its often a good idea to get a friend or co-worker to help hold the reflector.

If you have no friends free to help, you can attach them onto a tripod.

Aim for an even glow across the subject without any shadows.

Pick the right reflector for the situation, think about the available light.

Outdoor Photography:

Position the subject facing away from the sun, then reflect the sunlight coming from behind. When shooting people, focus on the shadows under the eyes and chin.

Indoor Photography:

Use with an external flash or lighting gear. Bounce back light to illuminate the whole of an object.

Hold at a 45 degree angle when shooting people.

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