How to use a REFLECTOR the right way! STOP using REFLECTORS to make bad outdoor portrait lighting

Are you trying to learn how to use a reflector properly? Can we all agree that the idea with portraits is to flatter someone – not to make them look bad. Right? TV shows, movies, and unfortunately even YouTube photographers seem to think it’s really cool to do that low angle gold reflector that blinds your subject, makes ridiculously bright catchlights in the bottom of the eyes and puts shadows in weird places. This lighting does not make great portraits or modeling shots – in fact it makes people look ghoulish.

I get it – as a new or young photographer the first time you light somebodies face up so that it is golden yellow and three stops brighter than the background – it seems really cool – even if you are causing retina damage in your subjects eyes.

Many of you also take portraits indoors, maybe in a studio and maybe in your living room. Some of you use speedlights, some of you use continuous lighting, some of you use monolights…. how often do you place your main or key light below your subject if you are trying to create a flattering portrait?

Why would you suddenly do things differently just because you go outside to shoot – you wouldn’t – well – you shouldn’t. Lighting a flattering portrait outside – is no different than lighting a flattering portrait inside except that you have this one EXTREMELY bright light source that you can’t move or dial down at will – it’s called the sun – so you have to diffuse or re-direct it, but that is not an excuse to turn things upside down and put your key light below your subjects face.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
Walmart Reflector Video:
California Sunbounce Micro Mini:
Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector 32”:
Peter Gowland:

Other reflectors:
Neewer 43-inch / 110cm 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector with Bag:
Lastolite TriFlip 8 in 1 30-Inch Grip Reflector Kit:
Neewer 5 in 1 Portable Triangle 43″ Reflector/Diffuser Kit with Grip:

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FTC Disclosure: No sponsors have paid for or provided equipment or material shown in this video
#ishootpeople #joeedelman