Automobile Sunshade

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Reflective Silver Sun Shade

Great piece of equipment! Get the standard size standard thickness ones because they are easier to handle. The must have tool for available light portraits, flowers, and macro stuff. I just got mine yesterday haven't really had a good shot at using it because it is raining in Oklahoma (finally). Go to your local automotive parts store or Wal Mart and get one now! Cheap...like $4.99!

:)
 
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OK...I just made 5 snaps of a plate of chicken sitting on the table under chandolier light with my son holding the sunshade and reflecting it onto the plate. Alas it is film so I must wait to see what happens...hahaha I used my FE as a light meter and the film recommendations and came up with 2.8 at 60 film rated at 125...the reflector made the difference...I used a fast 50 too...FX made with the F2 and Fuji 160 film...expensive film... :)

I'm going to try and get some faces tomorrow...
 
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Took 3 snaps today of my son head and shoulder shots with the 105 set at a half stop between 250 and 500 and f5.6 rating the film speed at 125. Hoping to get a nice portrait with well lit eyes. He was holding the Auto Shade and reflecting the light onto himself. We'll see what happens in a day or so.

The film is expired Fuji Pro 160S. 9 bucks a roll for 36 exposures. I will probably turn the roll in before I shoot 36. :)
 
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Disclaimer

The snaps in the following couple of posts are mediocre for various reasons but they illustrate the power of a sunshade/reflector very well I think.

So here we go... :)
 
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First the chicken. First snap without reflector second snap with. I lost control of the depth of field on these because I was indoors under a single light bulb therefore I had to open up (because I do not have a tripod - yet)

without.jpg
with.jpg
 
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Next the boy. First one in the shade no reflector and wide open at 2.5. This is why you shouldn't always shoot wide open. Many times it is not necessary and not enough DOF plus who cares about blurred backgrounds. (It is also why a fast lens isn't always necessary) Second one is in the strong morning sun with the sunshade. Ole boy stayed home from school today that is why he is a lazy janky mess. :)

wideopennosunshade.jpg
sunshadeinsun.jpg
 
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Robert Mitchell

Senior Member
My lighting kit began as entirely DIY, Home Depot and fabric store items. Never used the automotive sunshade but made reflectors by wrapping silver wrapping paper around foam core panels.

It's a great way to learn about light, shaping and controlling it, and how light modifier size and placement relative to your subject will affect the light that falls on your subject.
 
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Robert Mitchell

Senior Member
A white reflector is a good thing to have as well. Remember, a silver reflector focuses the light and in bright Sun can be nearly blinding and quite painful for your subjects. Using a white reflector will diffuse (scatter) and soften the light, making it not only easier on the eyes but at times it can be much more pleasing over the specular (mirror-like), directional light of a silver reflector.
 
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Robert Mitchell said:
A white reflector is a good thing to have as well. Remember, a silver reflector focuses the light and in bright Sun can be nearly blinding and quite painful for your subjects. Using a white reflector will diffuse (scatter) and soften the light, making it not only easier on the eyes but at times it can be much more pleasing over the specular (mirror-like), directional light of a silver reflector.
Click to expand...

This is what I have learned sir! :)
 
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I have another roll going..same film...all of them indoors f4 and f5.6 60 shutter stuff...no reflector...I think these are going to be good...we'll see...a bunch of busts of different people and man if they turn out I have some cool ones! :)
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Glad to see you found out about car shades, Jeff. I've been using them for years. :) It's an old but very effective trick...and cheap, too! You can also use them behind and off to the side of your subject to redirect the light where you want it. What I use now mostly is a 5-in-1 diffuser that I got from Linkdelight. I think it was $9....can't remember...but really cheap.
 
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