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what type of lite disk do I need??


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It's a matter of personal preference.

 

Gold will give a warm reflection which might be nice on an overcast afternoon or in open shade.

 

Silver will be more directional and not as soft but brighter than a white one.

 

White will just reflect a soft version of what the light already is.

 

Translucent is good as a diffuser to place between the subject and the light source to soften the incoming light. For instance if you're shooting on a sunny day with no clouds, using a translucent light disc over the bride will soften the light hitting her.

 

There are also black ones which you can use on an over cast day to block light from one side to create more depth as well as Gold/Silver ones which have gold and silver stripes.

 

LiteDiscs come with two sides. So you can easily switch between two different types and see which one you like better. If you're really concerned try and take some test shots with different reflectors on a similar subject and see which on eyou like better.

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The one disc you should buy is a 36" Flexfill in silver one side / white the other side. Firstly, the hoop is weak and buckles easily in 42" and larger sizes. This ruins your light direction and makes your reflected light uneven. Secondly, the Flexfill was the first lightdisc, others tried to copy them. Flexfill used the best silver material which is not as shiny as Photoflex, Westcott, and all the imitators. You want a really dull silver. Otherwise, the fill will show new shadows and increase the oily look of her face. You want dull! Compare them yourself! Next, never, never use gold on any person! Use gold on a lizard or or a crockadile, not a person! When you add color like this you are using ADDITIVE COLOR. When you put a filter on your lens, you are using SUBTRACTIVE COLOR. When you add gold to the cold blue sky... you get GREEN! And her skin will look sickly. This effect is subtile. Most photographers use negative film, so this effect is filtered out before they see it. But her face tones are now 2-toned! If you want a warmer tone, use a filter. Ignore gold reflectors, they are a gimmick just to sell something for $44 Timber Borcherding timberborcherding
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To add, because Flexfill is so dull, the larger sizes like 42" are very useful. It is the 42" and larger sizes in the other, shinier, brands wherein they are not. A buckled shiny surface like Photoflex shows warped light. A buckled dull surface doesn't. Therefore, 36-42" Flexfills are fine. You will like the larger 42-48" because two people can hold it up and over or beneath a person, while trying to avoid being in the picture! This is where www.californiasunbounce.com comes in. It is taught, and big. The light discs are, well, wobbly. Timber Borcherding timberborcherding
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