Controlling the Light for Small Subjects

[jpursley]

What sort of equipment and technique do you use in the field to

control the light for closeups of smaller subjects like wildflowers?

The desert blooms currently in SoCal won't last long, and the

conditions are usually bright and cloudless.

 

The subjects I have in mind are larger than macro - generally 4 to

12 inches across, although I guess many of the same principles apply.

 

Perhaps diffusers and/or reflectors would be best - Do you use

these? If so, do you recommend a particular setup/brand/system? Any

tips on keeping them in place while composing the shot and dealing

with wind are appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jeremy

[stemked]

Hi Jeremy.

 

I take along several things.

 

3 or 4 pieces of well scratched up plexiglass-great diffusers. In a pinch also work as wind breaks.

 

Large (5 foot) foldable diffuser

 

gold/silver small reflector or crimpled aluminum foil to light up dark spots in the flower

 

sometimes a large piece of dark plastic-usefully to darken an area behind a flower

[phyrpowr]

Those CDs you get sent occasionally ("8 Zillion hour of A*L FREEEE") make good little reflectors, maybe with one of the Plamps used normally for holding foliage back

[stephen_bay]

I generally only do two things: (1) get up early and shoot in the morning before direct sunlight can hit the subject and (2) bring a small reflector made out of a piece of cardboard and crumpled aluminum foil.

 

Getting up early has the advantage that often in the morning there is very little wind and the flowers may have dew on it naturally. I suppose one could carry a small spray bottle to mimick the dew.

 

I've tried using a plamp to hold reflectors but it never seemed to work very well. So I just shoot from a tripod and hold the reflector with one hand.

[joseph_smith3]

When the light is strong and harsh, a white umbrella acts as a great diffuser. Just open it up and put it between the sun and your subject. Joe Smith

[rob_murray]

A white reflector for shading and a combo gold/silver to add either

warm color or just light into a scene. if doing this alone setup

your tripod shot and fire it using the self timer or remote release

while holding your reflectors.

[kferris575]

The items listed above are all very useful. I also carry a few wooden clothspins to help hold stuff in place (or to hold distracting items out of the frame).