Using Reflectors

Although it doesn’t feel like it today with the current torrent of rain, for the last few days a mini Summer arrived and I got a chance to photograph the flowers again. Sadly, still Crocus based, as they’re the main flowers in the garden at the moment, but I got a chance to experiment with my small reflector.

My reflector folds up to a size no bigger than my open hand, with a useful little zip up bag. You have to be wary when unzipping reflectors, as they have a tendency to ping out the bags like a bored Jack-in-the-box!

Other reflectors do exist, namely with a gold side like I’ve shown below. These help to give a golden, sun-kissed look. Depending on the subject, it can look a little unnatural, so it is worth a practise.

So, it was a bright sunny, Winter’s day (although as I now learn, the hottest Winter day on record – so not your average day!). Around about midday in the garden, I decided to take some more photographs of the Crocus, while they were fully open in the sunshine.

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It may not show up so well for you, but in the images above, I can see that using a reflector and bouncing light back onto the flower has made the petals look warmer and brighter.

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Again, there are lots of shadows in the first image, but using the reflector just warms and lightens the subject.

I would recommend getting a reflector. I know I’m a bit flower mad, but they can be used in most photography subjects and are especially great for portrait photography. I’m still on a mission to use one around my toddler, but I feel he’ll just run off with it thinking it’s a new toy…They’re not expensive, and my mini one was from Ebay for around £10. Having said that, a piece of white paper, or even kitchen foil could have a similar effect if you want to give reflectors a go before buying one.

Here is the final image I quite like from my Crocus photoshoot!