JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

I have a few of those 5 in 1 reflectors. I recently tried gold in a late afternoon shot with the sun as a back/hairlight. It came out better than I expected. Not overdone like I've seen in some pictures. Maybe in part because I was shooting with AWB

Later, I got small soft-gold reflector with a silver and gold zigzag pattern. I used it for a headshot, this time with preset color balance. I like the effect, not overdone but liked the skin tone better than just with white or silver.

I've always been suspicious of color casting reflectors but thinking the soft gold might be a just right addition to my tools.

What do others here think? Which are the most useful reflectors in your experience?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I find the silver to be harsh most of the time. I do like to use the gold and white reflectors as well as a diffuser. My Gold/White is a reversible. I carry both 32" collapsibles in the back pocket of my Domke vest when in the field.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

a little gold is good to have

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Yes. I have always found silver to be too harsh and overly bright. Until recent outside shooting this summer/fall, I almost exclusively used just white.

Then I found that for some shots I couldn't get enough light in without getting in the picture. That's where I finally found silver to be useful. It projected farther from outside the frame.

Unique Expressions Loc: Wisconsin

Although it's not a "rule" per say...the silver is used more for flash photography, the gold is used for outdoor photography and the white is used for either. You want to match the reflector to the type of light conditions you're shooting in to keep the color (light color) balanced through your shot. The exception would be if you're trying for something a little different or some other effect.

dbdbdb444 Loc: Austin, TX

As UE said, the main reason for the different color reflectors is to handle color balance (white balance). I have a gold reflector that I use on my flash so that when I'm shooting flash in a room with incandescent lighting or in late afternoon or early evening shots, I can get the flash to "match" the color of the background light thus not giving me that bluish white cast to the subjects I'm lighting while the rest of the room has an orange cast.

For outdoor shots, it's okay to use the silver if you're reflecting orange sunlight. The color will be balanced. But if you're using the silver reflector to bounce flash in that same scenario, then use the gold to better match the color of your surrounding light.

julesreyesmarko Loc: Los Angeles

Great topic, gives me better insight on reflectors.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

For my weddings I used a white unbrella. Have'nt Got it out since I retired in 93.

Dheaton Loc: Boulder, Utah

I always use white or silver. I have gold reflectors as they seem like a good idea but every time I use them I end up changing the color balance in the computer. I like my images a soft warm look but the gold reflectors just do not work for me. If I can not get what I want with a large white reflector and the silver is too harsh for the clients then I use OCF instead. This actually works better any way. Just my opinion

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

The full gold is a way too GOLD for my taste, the soft gold works better as an accent or hair light for me. I do find it a a little warmer than I like. I will use the silver or white. I just picked up a Lastolite Tri-Grip with a silver/white - have not tried it yet.

Here is what I have learned about reflectors: Seldom do you want to hit your subject with the center of that thing - you usually want to just feather it - use the edges of the light. Also, if using is as your main light, the lighting rules still apply - you need to get it off to the side and higher than the camera. If using it as fill, then lower is fine. The idea of fill is to CAST NO SHADOWS.

I'm with Dheaton on the OCF - I prefer it and it allows more control - especially now with the Pocket wizard Flex/TT5 so I can control the flash output from the camera AND maintain the High=speed Sync! Which is not to say reflectors do not have a place. They are particularly handy in keeping the mother of a HS senior occupied.

Dheaton Loc: Boulder, Utah

Ha ha I like the mother deal, and use it all the time with my HS seniors.
I have been using the Flex TT5 and the AC3 controller now for about 3 months. I really like them. It is so cool to be able to adjust the power output of my OCF with a dial on camera. Awesome.