He was using the flash to soften the hard shadows cast by the bright
sun. The large reflector was to soften the hard light from the flash.
A small diameter light source or, even a large one if it's far enough
away (like the sun) tends to be what's called a "point light source".
Point light sources cast harsh shadows. Any way you can make the light
source of larger diameter or larger angular diameter (coming closer
works) will make a softer light. The bigger the reflector or diffuser
and the closer it is (larger angular diameter) the softer the light.
But diffusers that are large can be cumbersome and coming closer
exacerbates the inverse-square law problem. One solution to minimize
the inverse square law problem is to get farther back. That, of course,
worsens the flash angular diameter problem. But that can be helped by
using a very large diffuser... called the ceiling. Using the ceiling as
a reflector/diffuser also helps the inverse-square law problem by
extending the distance the light has to travel. But using the ceiling
causes shadows to be cast under the eyes, nose and chin so you also need
to throw some light forward to act as fill light... either by reflecting
part of the main beam forward rather than up or by using a second light
for fill.
Dr. Flash
On 2/20/2014 9:52 AM, bj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>
> At my son's wedding on the beach, the official photographer, who was
> as I seem to recall using a Sony camera, used a flash with a large
> reflector when taking many of his shots.
>
> The bright sunlight gave very
> contrasty conditions.
>
> I have not yet, as far as I know, seen any of
> his results yet.
>
> Brian
>
>
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