In the last article I alluded to the use of Diffusers as a means of controlling exposure when the sun is high in the sky.
But we don't want to think of it as only a Diffusers.
It can be used as a Reflector also.
In fact, most commercially available Diffusers come with silver and gold covering to control the quality of light reflected.
Let's explore some of the uses and benefits of putting a Diffuser/Reflector in your camera kit.
The Diffusers I have are round frames with a light white material covering them.
They come with an outer cover that you simply place over the frame and zip up.
This outer cover is silver on one side and gold on the other.
When you turn this outer cover inside out, it is black on both sides.
For storage you simply twist the frame, like a windshield shade, and it is suddenly one quarter size and fits just about anywhere.
Starting with the light white material, which is by far what I use most, the most important thing to understand, is that light does pass through it.
Thus it is named a Diffuser.
I typically use this when I'm photographing a client in an outdoor setting with the sun high in the sky.
They want their portrait done in a picturesque setting but their schedule doesn't permit going there at the appropriate time.
Once the proper background is chosen and the client is posed, I place the Diffuser between the sun and the client and voila the terrible shadows below their chin, nose, and eyes disappear.
They no longer have squinty eyes and the tense forehead goes away.
And since light does pass through it, you get better exposure balance between the subject and the background.
Be advised though that you will still want to do some exposure balancing in Photoshop.
But even if you do no processing you will have a far superior picture then without the Diffuser.
Often times I run into the situation where the subject I want to highlight is significantly darker than the rest of the scene.
This is where the Diffuser becomes a Reflector.
I simply place the Reflector in the sunlight and find where it is reflecting the light and slowly move the Reflector until the light is on the subject I want to illuminate.
With white it is sometimes difficult for our eye to see where the light is being reflected.
In extreme situations I have had to cover it with silver (to see the reflected light better), position it, and then remove the silver cover.
Considering the above paragraph, you may wonder if this is worth the effort.
Our eye and the camera sensor see things very differently and light that you may not be able to distinguish makes a huge difference to the camera.
And this is one thing I encourage you to experiment with as the knowledge will become invaluable for the rest of your photographic life.
With the silver and gold cover, you will reflect more light while also changing the quality of light.
If you are using silver, the light from the Reflector will become cooler (more blue) and if you use the gold it will become warmer (more red).
Once again, this is an area for experimentation to both learn the qualities of the Reflector and help develop your particular style.
I don't believe I have ever used the Black cover in outdoor photography and if I have it certainly didn't meet my needs.
I do use it often in the studio to help control light with multiple light set-ups.
In the studio it is referred to as a light subtractor - not a term that I am entirely comfortable with - but it is an important tool in the studio.
But that discussion will have to wait for another time.