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Using Reflectors To Even Out Harsh Shadows In Photographs

By: Shutterbug

Published: December 17, 2008     Exclusive Article
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My neighbor became quite curious last Sunday. He looked puzzled when he saw me shifting around a sheet of white cardboard as I was posing the family for their latest snapshot.

"Getting kind of fancy, aren't you?" he yelled. I soon explained it to him. I put him right to work holding the simple reflector so that he could see for himself the benefits of filling In the shadows.

You get good sunlight for your snapshots on many January days. But it isn't always the same type of sunlight. Some clays it's a bit hazy and the light is soft and diffused. On other days, the sky is crystal clear and the light turns out to be crisp and even harsh. It is on these latter days, especially, that a reflector can be of great help in getting good photographs of people.

One of the simplest reflecting devices is a sheet of white cardboard. It is inexpensive and efficient. But in a pinch there are many good substitutes. Grab a white dishtowel if you have nothing else. Some photographers use cardboard covered with aluminum foil. Anything light-colored will reflect some light.

The nice thing about using a reflector is that it can aid your snapshots, and yet it doesn't change your exposure. It just adds light that fills in the shadow areas.

Where should you place this reflector to get the best possible use from it? You must place it where it catches the sun, of course, and where it will not appear in your view finder, The closer it is to the subject, the brighter the reflection will be. So you can experiment until you find the most pleasing result.

Occasionally you can utilize a light building as a reflector. You will find a beautiful, soft light reflecting from it which can be used to fill in the shadows.

A few weeks ago we discussed the use of synchronized flash with daylight, and that, of course, is a wonderful way to provide the fill-in light. But if you don't have flash, a simple reflector works wonders.

A reflector provides one of those plus values that help to make your pictures just a little bit better. Try one the next time you take pictures of people. You'll like the results.


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