When shooting macro / closeup with natural light, sometimes you need not just a reflector, but a diffuser as well.
First, a little bit about diffuser and reflector.
Diffuser and reflector set. White translucent fabric (left) is great for diffusing harsh direct light. The cover (right) has 4 colors: silver and black (underside) and gold and white inside. Of course, you can turn it inside out easily.
When to use which side? Here's an excerpt from Amazon site:
Ardinbir Studio 22" 60cm 5 in 1 Round Collapsible Disc Photo Reflector/Diffuser Kit: Gold Silver Black White Translucent Set
Technical Details
- Silver increases the specular highlights and yields a high-contrast image. Its perfect for video, product shots and B&W photography
- Gold produces a natural, golden fill that is great for sunsets or indoor portraits
- White produces an even, neutral-colored bounce light that works beautifully as a fill light source
- Black is used as a flag to block light or can be used to subtract light
- Translucent fabric is used to diffuse light, producing a broad light source and a soft, wraparound effect
It was mid day and under partial shade, and a little bit of direct sunlight made it through the canopy. I didn't have a commercial diffuser with me but I used a 3mm thick foam sheet as my DIY Diffuser (right hand).
From a different angle. Diffuser on right hand and reflector on left.
Let's see what kind of difference a diffuser make.
No diffuser used. Note the hotspot on the top side of eyes and also abdomen
With a diffuser, no hotspot (Pygmy dragonfly photos courtesy of Derrick)
Comparison:
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