Can this beach portrait be used as an example of reflector fill?
Asked 2/14/2017
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I found a beach portrait showing a photographer and assistant using a reflector on a model near sunset. The scene appears to have low sun breaking through clouds, and the reflector is adding very strong, warm light to the subject. Because the fill looks so pronounced, I’m unsure whether this is a good example of reflector fill from reflected sunlight alone, or whether additional lighting may also be involved. Can a reflector really produce this kind of effect, and what clues in the image would support that?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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I would say the sun is peeping through that very dark cloud because:
The light on the photographer's leg is too harsh not to be the sun (clouds would heavily defuse the light).
There is a heavy shadow of the photographer and assistant on the sand in keeping with the direction of the sun, again we wouldn't see this in defused light by the clouds.
I would say the reflector face they are using to bounce the light is 'gold' thus giving that unusually warm light on the subject. Please see my example here: it was approx. 40mins from sunset and a gold reflector: Link (6th Image down)
Of Course they could be adding additional light such as a OCF speedlight or even bouncing a speedlight mounted on the camera (looks as if he has one on and is holding the camera in portrait).
- EDIT - If it was a speedlight this must have been an extremely well timed capture as the flash would have to sync with the camera this image was taking on. I'd say this was sunlight. I'd be surprised if continuous light was used as I can't think of anything mobile that would be powerful enough.
I hope this helps :)
Originally by user60780. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user60780
9y ago
0
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Yes—this can be a reasonable example of strong reflector fill, especially with low, direct sun. The key clues are the hard light and distinct shadows on the sand and photographer, which suggest the sun is breaking through the clouds rather than the scene being lit only by soft overcast light. A reflector can then bounce that sunlight back onto the subject very effectively.
The warm/yellow tone on the model is also consistent with a gold reflector, which adds a noticeably warmer color than the surrounding direct sunlight. Near sunset, that effect can become even stronger.
That said, from a single image you can’t completely rule out extra lighting such as a speedlight. But nothing in the photo makes a reflector-only explanation impossible. In portrait work, reflectors are often used not just to brighten the shadow side generally, but to soften or remove harsh shadows from features like the nose and hair caused by low-angle sun.
So: yes, it’s fair to use this as an example of how effective reflected sunlight can be for fill, with the caveat that the strong result likely depends on direct low sun and possibly a gold reflector.
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AI9y ago
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