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reflectors vs diffusers which are better for portraits?
In this post by reflector I mean an object that reflects light and by
diffuser I mean an object through which light is shone similarly to a filter. I have been spending some time researching reflectors versus diffusers in portrait photography. I was irritated but not surprised to find very little discussion on the net regarding choosing between the two. All I could find was that reflectors are more well known amongst the general population than diffusers; that some people find from their practical experience that diffusers do not work well; that some people think diffusers do not work because they do not increase the area of the source of the light significantly; that european photographers are supposed to be into diffusers as opposed to reflectors; that diffusers take alot of the brightness out of the light that hits the subject; and that people seem to think of reflectors as more of an outdoors type of thing and diffusers as more of an indoors type of thing. Coming out of my own mind as opposed to internet research, my thinking has been that since a problem is the color temperature of reflected light is different than the color temperature of direct light, therefore reflected light should be used instead of direct light, because use of direct light unavoidably leads to conflicts between indirect and direct light; and, so, therefore, the reflector is a better solution than the diffuser because the reflector will produce light that does not clash with direct light whereas the diffuser will give rise to the direct diffused light and then also the reflected version of the diffused light. I have also been thinking that reflectors might do a better job of mimicking reflected light such as shade light and light bouncing off of walls whereas diffusers would do a better job of mimicking soft light sources such as overhead fluorescent all over a big ceiling or a shaded ceiling light. I think I realize a truth in that I understand that since the result in photography is an exaggeration of contrast, partially due to the fact that the camera sees color differences based on color temp differences that the eye does not see, therefore the mimicking lights should be softer than the lights they mimick. Anybody have any ideas re the pros and cons of reflectors versus diffusers? David Virgil Hobbs http://www.angelfire.com/ma/vincemoon |
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David Virgil Hobbs wrote:
... Anybody have any ideas re the pros and cons of reflectors versus diffusers? David Virgil Hobbs http://www.angelfire.com/ma/vincemoon Sure. There is little or no difference between the two other than design. Both can work well if designed and used right, both can work poorly if not. Either can produce various degrees of diffusers and direction and spread. The only real difference is quality of the design and construction and how well they are chosen and used by the photographer. I believe you will find more diffusers used by professionals, but that may be different today. Back when I was in the business most of the real professional gear was diffusion based. reflectors were cheaply made and used mainly by non-pros who were more aware of the cost and liked the folding (easy storage) features of the reflector designs of the day and did not mind the lower durability and convenience of use of the diffusers. Today there seems to be better quality reflectors available and they may well be the better choice for the pro for work on location. In short, both work well if you know how to use them. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math |
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David Virgil Hobbs wrote:
... Anybody have any ideas re the pros and cons of reflectors versus diffusers? David Virgil Hobbs http://www.angelfire.com/ma/vincemoon Sure. There is little or no difference between the two other than design. Both can work well if designed and used right, both can work poorly if not. Either can produce various degrees of diffusers and direction and spread. The only real difference is quality of the design and construction and how well they are chosen and used by the photographer. I believe you will find more diffusers used by professionals, but that may be different today. Back when I was in the business most of the real professional gear was diffusion based. reflectors were cheaply made and used mainly by non-pros who were more aware of the cost and liked the folding (easy storage) features of the reflector designs of the day and did not mind the lower durability and convenience of use of the diffusers. Today there seems to be better quality reflectors available and they may well be the better choice for the pro for work on location. In short, both work well if you know how to use them. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math |
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This is without doubt the most incomprehensible post this year.
Congratulations, moron. You have made absolutely no sense whatsoever. (David Virgil Hobbs) wrote in message . com... In this post by reflector I mean an object that reflects light and by diffuser I mean an object through which light is shone similarly to a filter. I have been spending some time researching reflectors versus diffusers in portrait photography. I was irritated but not surprised to find very little discussion on the net regarding choosing between the two. All I could find was that reflectors are more well known amongst the general population than diffusers; that some people find from their practical experience that diffusers do not work well; that some people think diffusers do not work because they do not increase the area of the source of the light significantly; that european photographers are supposed to be into diffusers as opposed to reflectors; that diffusers take alot of the brightness out of the light that hits the subject; and that people seem to think of reflectors as more of an outdoors type of thing and diffusers as more of an indoors type of thing. Coming out of my own mind as opposed to internet research, my thinking has been that since a problem is the color temperature of reflected light is different than the color temperature of direct light, therefore reflected light should be used instead of direct light, because use of direct light unavoidably leads to conflicts between indirect and direct light; and, so, therefore, the reflector is a better solution than the diffuser because the reflector will produce light that does not clash with direct light whereas the diffuser will give rise to the direct diffused light and then also the reflected version of the diffused light. I have also been thinking that reflectors might do a better job of mimicking reflected light such as shade light and light bouncing off of walls whereas diffusers would do a better job of mimicking soft light sources such as overhead fluorescent all over a big ceiling or a shaded ceiling light. I think I realize a truth in that I understand that since the result in photography is an exaggeration of contrast, partially due to the fact that the camera sees color differences based on color temp differences that the eye does not see, therefore the mimicking lights should be softer than the lights they mimick. Anybody have any ideas re the pros and cons of reflectors versus diffusers? David Virgil Hobbs http://www.angelfire.com/ma/vincemoon |
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In article , David
Virgil Hobbs wrote: It all depends on what you want the end result to look like. They're both tools in the ol' toolbox. |
#10
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In article , David
Virgil Hobbs wrote: It all depends on what you want the end result to look like. They're both tools in the ol' toolbox. |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
reflectors vs diffusers which are better for portraits? | David Virgil Hobbs | Digital Photography | 50 | December 5th 04 07:06 PM |