Reflectors are UH-MAZING. Seriously. I pink puffy heart mine. It makes a world of difference when you are in a low light situation or backlighting someone and you just want a little more light on their face. I wanted to get an offical reflector for a long time. I used a big piece of white foam board that worked fine but it didn't give my images the kick I wanted them to have. So, I finally took the not-too-pricey (photographically speaking) and took the plunge. This is the one that I had heard was great. So, that's what I got. Honeslty, I don't use the stand a ton because I haven't had to so far, but I'm glad I have it. I still need to get more comfortable with using it ON the stand. It takes me a while to get it to point the direction I want it to when I use the stand but I'm fairly confident that it's user eror. ;) I also got these little suckers because I live in the Windy City... no... not Chi-town. The Windy City that doesn't get credit for the name it truely deserves. Colorado Springs, Colorado. I would hate for my reflector to fall down and smack someone in the face. Then I'd have to do extra editing. ;) I haven't had my reflector forever but from what I have seen for my personal preference, I like the gold side when i'm bouncing ambient lighting because it's still really soft. But if someone is backlit I like the white side. It takes that harder light and makes it a little softer and not quite as yellow/gold. But ask me again in a year and I may sing a different tune.
I know I have used my little model here before but she holds still, she's cooperative, and she is only in school 1/2 day so she's around more. These pictures are completely straight off my camera. I haven't done anything to either of them. The only difference is that in the second one I used a reflector. The camera settings are the exact same. They were taken about 30 seconds apart. In the one with the reflector I put the reflector on my leg (which was propped up on the couch to my right so the reflector had something to lean against) and pointed it towards her. I could see it in actino and could point it right where I wanted it to get exactly what I wanted. I have put arrows on the image that have been greatly affected by the reflector. The ones that are easy to miss but are super important are her catchlights. Catchlights are those little bits of light in her eyeballs that breathe life into the picture. Even her teeth look better!!!
I really enjoy having my reflector and encourage anyone who is serious about photography to invest in a good one. This one works just a touch better than my foam one. ;)