Westcott reflectors as lighting modifiers for studio and out on location

 We find reflectors indispensable. And we prefer not to use cheap knockoffs from China, Taiwan or Korea. Why tell all your clients that you are so cheap you have to buy Chinese reflectors. If you charge a professional fee, and produce professional results, you ought to use professional studio equipment.

 We have many reports what demonstrate the advantages of Westcott reflectors. These reports are in series on studio lighting, on portrait photography, and on fine art photography. All these reports are available to each person who takes a pertinent FLAAR course in digital photography (an on-line course; this autumn 2006 we should have additional information).

Since we do photography out on location in Greece, Guatemala and other countries, it helps that the Westcott reflectors collapse to a convenience size to carry.

We tend to use the silver side the most. On occasion the gold side is useful. Only when there is an abundance of light do we use the white side (usually we need the silver to maximize the light).

While on the subject of studio lighting, you can also see our use of Westcott Spiderlites, TD5, in our studio. The cool fluorescent lighting is good for flowers and other subjects that will wilt from hot tungsten lights.

Reflectors are needed for portrait photography lighting

Especially when you are outside, reflectors are a must-have for portrait photography.

Reflectors are essential for nature photography, including macro photography of flowers

 We could not do any serious professional photography outdoors without having reflectors. It’s that simple: reflectors are crucial when photographing flowers or any size or shape, including macro photography.

Westcott reflectors

  First posted Aug 15, 2006.

Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and Maya archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now, for the last six years, he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon (D300) and Canon (EOS 5D) digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. FLAAR also has an 80-megapixel large format camera (yes, they do exist, we have a Cruse). Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. For a month (February 2006) it was possible to evaluate a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. We are also considering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF, one of the outstanding medium format cameras that still offers European precision. However in the last 40 years we have not received any Rollei (or Franke & Heidecke) equipment for evaluation, so we can comment only on the Hasselblad and Mamiya (loaned briefly two years ago by Mamiya America). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in the digital photography evaluation initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. Curently all the medium format backs are coming from Global Imaging Inc, Greg Lamb, CEO (contact 800 787-9802, press 4, fax 212 722-0988). This is one of the few camera stores in the entire US or Canada that offers ALL major brands of medium format (so they have no incentive to push one brand over the other). However we are also open to receiving medium format backs directly from the manufacturer. Over 381,154 visitors came to this www.digital-photography.org web site to learn which cameras, lighting, tripods, and accessories have proven themselves during evaluation by FLAAR. Since we deliberately do not review low-end cameras, our reviews attract a sophisticated audience. The total "visit" count is 791.562 during 2007, but we prefer to use the visitor count, 381.154 as being more realistic. FLAAR is the de facto source of information on medium format digital cameras because we are university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.