Reflecting Light

Neat idea, what type of bulb do you have in your lamp? The light output looks similar to an OttLight? Nice pics!

Thanks for taking the time to share with us!

-Seeker

 

Thanks for a great post! Another inexpensive and very effective reflector can be found at many stores - dash protectors for the car that go under the windscreen! Also, white foamcore board that can be purchased at most hobby shops!

 

Recently, I was watching a tutorial on how to use big white and silver reflectors to help with lighting and fill light.

It got me thinking. Did I really need to spend any money on such big reflectors for such small subjects? It made me wonder if there was anything on a smaller scale that I could use, and that brought me to paper plates.

The paper plates I have are shiny, and when I tried to see if they could reflect anything, I noticed that they could. I did some test shots that I can post in a few days, but they did the trick of adding a fill light as I took my photos. I even held them in the same positions as they did in the tutorial, and it did what the huge reflectors did.

 

Another inexpensive option are the reflective sunblockers put on the dash in cars - these are readily available in discount stores and fold small.

Also, a piece of white paper! Or a sheet of white foamcore.

 

I always use pieces of white or black (for backgrounds) foamcore board from Staples or even the dollar store. You can use plain cardboard pieces too, and can curve them or tape them to any support if needed.

Then you can use holiday wrapping paper from the solid-color metallic rolls sold around the holidays if you want slightly tinted light reflections, like gold or silver or red. Crumpling the wrap before taping it to the cardboard will cut down on any really glaring reflective "hotspots".

Paper plates are a great idea for doll-sized highlighting spots. They don't have to be shiny, just as white as possible.

 

White paper/plates/foamboard etc makes a huge difference. I just put it near them so it brightens up the shadows!

 

This is what I have
But I honestly never even use it XD

 

Really? It can help throw catchlights into the eyes. Catchlights can make a HUGE difference in the illusion created with doll photography - differentiating between "still life" and "wish life".

 

I've messed with it and it's never done anything for me.

I generally shoot in natural light turning prime shooting hours or shoot in the shade, and get the shots I want.
Never had a problem getting enough light in the eyes. (all but one of my dolls has glass eyes, and the one that doesn't has metallic acrylics, so that probably helps)

(shot on my porch in the shadows from the roof)






I do a little bit of dodging in PS to bring it out a bit more, but I've never needed a reflector.

I've tried working with one, but for me it's just too much hassle and never done anything spectacular for me.
But then again, I haven't even bothered pulling the thing out of closet for the past year.

 

Great job on those catch lights. The other Gallery threads of yours I looked at were missing them. You can throw light into the eyes but still not create a nice catch light effect. Something is reflecting up into the eyes in the pics above - is your porch painted a light colour? A reflector or piece of foam core propped beneath the dolls will help to reflect the natural light back into the eyes - it doesn't have to be difficult.

 

Nope, there's not light on my porch. All natural sunlight.

I'm honestly incredibly low maintenance. I don't think about what I'm going to shoot, I don't plan anything, I seriously just run out, slam my dolls down, shoot 30-50 photos and run back in side.

I guess I just don't care enough? XD

I'm sure your suggestion would be helpful, and thanks for suggesting it, but I'm honestly the laziest photographer ever, lol! If I ever do pull out my reflector, I'll let you know but for me it's more hassle than it's worth.

 

I can see that you're shooting in natural light!

No worries on the suggestion - I'm speaking more to the general readership than anything else. A reflector can make a wonderful addition to good doll photography!

 

LOL! you know what XD I totally read your post wrong, so that's where you got that awkward response LOL
I thought you were asking if my porch light was a certain color XD

not "porch PAINTED a light color"

sorry LOL.

It's concrete floor, the paneling of my building is cream, and then the railings are white. So yes.