Well when I meter for a reflector it is pretty simple. I usually set the light where I want it direction and distance wise (the distance of the reflector adjusts the hardness and softness of the light as well as intensity just like a strobe the difference is that you can see the effects with your eye a little easier) then just meter as I would had I made no light modifications at all. If you start incorporating multiple reflectors into a scene then you may need to do some more elaborate planning and metering but usually if I am considering modifying light to that extent then I will go with strobes for a couple of reasons. One, because at that point my lighting is much more critical and I cant chance having the sun go behind a cloud or the reflector to move even a fraction of an inch. and two.... hmmm I forgot what two was but I will think of it....oh yeah. it is much harder to pull off consistent ratios between multiple reflectors.

On the image on the top of Ernest Gaines I balanced natural light and strobe. Actually pulled Mr. Gaines onto the porch then light him but I was prepared to create shade then light him to get the same results I got on the porch. This was for a magazine so I had the opportunity to be a little slower placed and deliberate.



The bottom two were done during two high school seniors . On the left I back lit her and used a reflector as a main light. The right bottom was later in the day so I used a scrim to create shade then a reflector as a main light.. Very similar to the MR. Gaines shot in their effect but the reflector can be set up in 30 seconds...

Wes, for some reason I can't see your image attachments...

PD

Yeah I will try to fix that tomorrow..

Wes

Here are the photos that I was trying to show you in my previous post.

Thanks, Wes!! Very nice.

Last night I put a speedlite on a stand on manual mode, and triggered it with a remote. It's really not that different from other studio strobes, except I didn't have a modeling light and sometimes I couldn't see if the flash has finished recycling, and the catchlights were tiny. I see your point about being able to see what you're going to get with reflectors.

PD

Thanks Larry.

I can see how the speedlight could be daunting because it has no modeling light at all. Originally I was talking about even the studio style strobes it is hard to see your modeling light when it gets mixed in with the sun, but you bring up a good point. Some speedlights do have a button you can push to activate a pseudo-modeling light that is a quick burst of flashes that almost become continuous light giving you the ability to see the effects of your light for a brief moment.

As for the size of your catchlights try bouncing your strobe off of a panel or reflector to effectively change the size of your light source. Yo will get much softer more flattering results.


~Wes