White or silver reflector for black and white portrait

[scottduffy]

Hi Guys,

I am about to embark on a series of portraits which will be almost exclusively black and white and contain no lighting other than a single reflector. I was wondering would a silver reflector give me more to work with in post production (which i know almost nothing about) since it would create more defined highlights on the face. Could this also give me issues though that maybe wouldn't arise should i use a white one? I am currrently learning the dodge and burn tool as i believe it will help enormously with this project. Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Scott

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•

B&W or colour, the use of reflected light is pretty much the same.

White will reflect and diffuse a softer light and silver a crispier one,
as the diffusion is negligible.

I both cases, using the reflector flat is only one of the many options.
One may concave it to concentrate the reflection and/or wrap up the
subject ,or convex it to produce more like a narrower streak of light
and maybe create highlights in given areas.

Many possibilities to play with. Have fun!

 

[HoppyUK]

Get both, a reversible white/silver. The fold-up ones are cheap and work very well, some have neat little hand-grip, though you can DIY it with a sheet of white card and kitchen foil glued to the other side. You can see the different effects easily in use, and modify them with distance and angle of reflection. You might also try a black reflector to further darken shadows.

I like the sound of your project. I'm very fond of reflectors, a generally underrated tool I think. Perhaps understandably, lighting manufacturers don't tend to push them. Perfect for portaits with some nice window light, equally good in bright sun with the light behind or to the side and much easier to use than flash. You'll need a reflector holder/stand or a patient assistant to help with positioning.

This is another idea from Westcott - a big reflector where you shoot through the middle https://petapixel.com/2017/02/07/wescott-omega-360-worlds-first-15-1-reflector/ There was a thread about this fairly recently, and I bought a cheap reflector with the idea of cutting a hole in it, but I've not got around to it yet

 

[scottduffy]

Thanks guys. Richard i read about shooting through a reflector and it sounded great. This project is a major part of my year and although i bought the light science magic book some time ago i am so busy with homework that i can't make time to read it. Very depressing. I will post some of the images later in the year as i'm only allowed to post them after they're marked. I have added a couple of portraits that have been marked into the portrait section from the very start of the course. It's a steep learning curve but i'm enjoying every minute of it.

 

[juggler]

LSM is very good but it doesn't have a great deal on lighting people, don't beat yourself up about it.

The type of reflector you use will depend on the light you are reflecting, the subject and the effect you want.

White is a little easier to use - direction is less critical and less likely to introduce any specular highlights you later regret.
If you need more light, contrast or drama then use the silver side.

This is another idea from Westcott - a big reflector where you shoot through the middle https://petapixel.com/2017/02/07/wescott-omega-360-worlds-first-15-1-reflector/ There was a thread about this fairly recently, and I bought a cheap reflector with the idea of cutting a hole in it, but I've not got around to it yet

I've been meaning to sacrifice a reflector to that experiment too. I recently did something similar using some shutters across a large window, and placing the model between the window and the shutters - it worked well.

I am currrently learning the dodge and burn tool as i believe it will help enormously with this project. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm intrigued as to why you're building a project around the dodge and burn tool. What are you trying to achieve?

 

[scottduffy]

I was looking at a number of very gritty style black and white portraits in the style of Lee Jeffries and when reading about the photographers post production process it seemed that the dodge and burn tool was prevalent.

 

[juggler]

I was looking at a number of very gritty style black and white portraits in the style of Lee Jeffries and when reading about the photographers post production process it seemed that the dodge and burn tool was prevalent.

Went to have a quick look... my first reaction was 'Christ, that stuff is vile.' And I like Bruce Gilden.

...more precisely, the processing is clever but ruins what would otherwise be a charming and intimate series of portraits...

but each to their own

 

[scottduffy]

I'm not replicating his look as some of it I find disturbing too but I really like the dark backgrounds and the way the faces grab your attention. I think I'll leave out the crack pipes though !!!

 

[paul williams]

Went to have a quick look... my first reaction was 'Christ, that stuff is vile.' And I like Bruce Gilden.

...more precisely, the processing is clever but ruins what would otherwise be a charming and intimate series of portraits...

but each to their own

+1 just needs some blood and peeling skin to complete the zombie look...