I saw something photographically today...

While sitting and chatting at a coffee house I frequent these days I noticed a woman sitting in the front window reading a magazine. It was afternoon and the sun was coping in through the west front window, reflecting the white of the magazine page onto her face.

I was astounded at two things -

1. how stark and strong the ordinary light reflecting on her face from a white magazine page was
2. that my conversation partner, who was also looking at her, didn't notice the light at all.

Seeing things photographically means seeing things as they serve your photographs and photography. Below, for your records, is what we first looked at and then saw.

without reflector

with reflector

FYI the lighting in both these photos was not adjusted. They were imported, sharpened (equally) and sized. Also, I do not recommend using this white and stark of light. If you want to have fun, reflect in different colors. Gold will warm the skin tones. If you want to shoot in black and white try using yellow, orange, red and green paper. These will increase contrast in photos by varying degrees. Try, experiment, enjoy, learn.

Remember it's not important to do it "right",
but it is really important to do it and keep doing it.