DIY reflector trial run

frommrstomommy · May 9, 2013

So I have a big foam board with one side silver metallic and decided to take my son outside the house to play with it in the sun (3pm here).. yes, I clipped his feet but holy cow chasing a very mobile 1 year old with a camera in one hand and a "reflector" in the other was not an easy task. haha Oh and I totally went outside with ISO 400.. FML. lol Too busy chasing him to bother changing it so I just rolled with it..

DSC_0871 by capturedbybc, on Flickr

DSC_0868 by capturedbybc, on Flickr

KmH · May 9, 2013

It's to bad the background is so bright. A darker background (and no tree) would have worked better with just a reflector to separate him from the background.

As it is, there is little 'pop' in #1, but a bit of 'pop' on his legs in #2.

You know, with flash you can control the ambient light exposure (the bright background in your case) separately from the strobed light exposure.

dg28.com - photographer education

Bone Puddle · May 10, 2013

KmH said:
It's to bad the background is so bright. A darker background (and no tree) would have worked better with just a reflector to separate him from the background.

As it is, there is little 'pop' in #1, but a bit of 'pop' on his legs in #2.

You know, with flash you can control the ambient light exposure (the bright background in your case) separately from the strobed light exposure.

dg28.com - photographer education

KmH, I've been reading this forum for awhile and your posts and feedback are always very helpful. Thank you.

Designer · May 10, 2013

Maybe instead of chasing him around, try to get him interested in something that isn't moving, like his sandbox, for instance, and then position yourself and the reflector to the best advantage. Then whistle, click, or coo to him to get him to look up.

frommrstomommy · May 10, 2013

Designer said:
Maybe instead of chasing him around, try to get him interested in something that isn't moving, like his sandbox, for instance, and then position yourself and the reflector to the best advantage. Then whistle, click, or coo to him to get him to look up.

I think I will see about filling up his little inflatable pool or something later today maybe and try again. Thanks

Sandboxes here aren't doable ;\ They're like breeding grounds for black widow and scorpions I hear.

Tiller · May 10, 2013

KMH is correct. Here's an article that explains it really well.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-balancing-flash-and.html?m=1

David Hobby has an excellent way of explaining things. Especially to dumb people like me

Tiller · May 10, 2013

frommrstomommy said:
I think I will see about filling up his little inflatable pool or something later today maybe and try again. Thanks Sandboxes here aren't doable ;\ They're like breeding grounds for black widow and scorpions I hear.

That's when you pull out the macro lens!

jowensphoto · May 10, 2013

frommrstomommy said:
Designer said:

Maybe instead of chasing him around, try to get him interested in something that isn't moving, like his sandbox, for instance, and then position yourself and the reflector to the best advantage. Then whistle, click, or coo to him to get him to look up.

Click to expand...

I think I will see about filling up his little inflatable pool or something later today maybe and try again. Thanks Sandboxes here aren't doable ;\ They're like breeding grounds for black widow and scorpions I hear.

Cinnamon will keep spiders and ants out. Not sure about the scorpions though.

CherylL · May 10, 2013

You have a challenge getting a 1yo to stay still. What is his currency? My 3yo grand daughter will pose for fruit snack or TV time to watch her favorite kid show.

frommrstomommy · May 10, 2013

CherylL said:
You have a challenge getting a 1yo to stay still. What is his currency? My 3yo grand daughter will pose for fruit snack or TV time to watch her favorite kid show.

Unfortunately I don't think he's at the point where he understands "if you do x y z for mommy, you can have x y z.. " lol not just yet anyway!

Juga · May 12, 2013

frommrstomommy said:
CherylL said:

You have a challenge getting a 1yo to stay still. What is his currency? My 3yo grand daughter will pose for fruit snack or TV time to watch her favorite kid show.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't think he's at the point where he understands "if you do x y z for mommy, you can have x y z.. " lol not just yet anyway!

I am not mommy but that doesn't ever change. You may say "Do x y z for x y z," however no matter the age they hear "Do x and I get a, b, c, d, e..." hahaha :lmao: