I Want A Reflector

[Derrel]

The thing about reflectors is that they need to be positioned in a way so that they work right. That means either a stand with a grip head, and an arm and a clamp or two. OR a VARS, or voice-activated reflector stand, aka a human bean (adult to adolescent preferred), OR propping on the ground with some kind of a picture-frame-like-propping-dealio to get the needed angle. If you have ever used a square or rectangular reflector, you realize that those prop up pretty well, and two of them can easily be clipped/tied/wired together to form a V-shape that is self-standing on level ground. Unless you have a "system" to position the reflector, you probably will elect not to use it when you need it most.

My preference for portraiture is a large 42x72 inch reflector panel, about roughly the size of a standard household door, made of a six-piece PVC frame with an internal bungee cord system that keeps it rigid once the frame is put together. One side white, the other side black. Optional fabric is diffusion silk. (Well, these days it's actually nylon.) I have EC-1 clamps that allow the reflector to be mounted to lightstands, and then angled and locked down at any desired angle, either horizontally (rare) or vertically(most of the time).

 

[Designer]

..a human bean (adult to adolescent preferred)..

Last week I was trying to get some shots of my granddaughter in their living room. I had two adults who held foamcore panels. I would walk over to each of them in turn and position the board "just so". About the time it took me to walk back to the camera, they had allowed the boards to turn to a more comfortable position for THEM to hold the boards. It was like herding cats.

I really need to take stands with me.

 

[mmaria]

I have some 5 in 1 reflector and I've never used the silver side... depends what you want to achieve

That's the only reflector I actually bought... I have numerous of them but diy kind of thing. I like to improvise

 

[snerd]

Thanks, all. I'll study some more before getting something first of the month.