#Light reflector how to

I’d recommend it as an option only if you also have a white reflector. Third, gold reflectors are punchy (like silver), but the effect is warmer, and great for shooting at sunrise or sunset. Also note that silver reflectors offer stronger light than white reflectors, which means that they can be used for a more obvious “light source” effect. If you’re after more dramatic shots, then a silver reflector is a good way to work. Second, silver reflectors are a lot punchier, and will give you a more contrast-heavy look. If you’re not sure which color to pick, go with white. You can use a white reflector to create soft, even light, which is great for most portraits and will generally serve you well as a photographer. These are my personal favorites, because they’re very neutral and all-purpose. So here are the common reflector colors, and why you might want to use them:įirst, there’s white reflectors. That said, the standard colors are popular for a reason, which is that they’re useful in a lot of situations, so I’d recommend you start with one of these and then (as you become more familiar with reflector photography) you can add more and more reflectors to your collection. Now, there are a few standard colors, but you can find reflectors of pretty much any color if you look hard enough. The color of your reflector can dramatically change your photos–and it can also be the difference between a very specialized reflector and a more all-purpose option. That’s when you’ll want to make sure you have a nice, large reflector to work with. If you shoot still lifes, small product scenes, or single portraits, you’re not going to have to illuminate much, so you’ll be okay with a smaller reflector.īut if you shoot huge groups of people, then a small reflector isn’t going to cut it it’ll light a few of your subjects, and leave the rest shrouded in shadow. I’d also recommend considering the size of your standard subject. That said, bigger reflectors are much more cumbersome to work with (after all, you don’t want to carry around a wall-sized item, do you?), which is why you’ll often need to strike a balance between size and portability. So if you’re after an unusually soft, gentle, even result, you’ll want to consider a larger reflector size. The bigger the reflector, the softer the light. Now, there are a few features you’ll want to consider, starting with: Size Which is good news, because you can pick the one that works best for you. Unlike most camera equipment, reflectors are actually pretty inexpensive.

In fact, there are quite a lot of options out there, which is why choosing a reflector can be a bit daunting.įortunately, the next section will tell you everything you need to know about picking a reflector–and how you can get the right option for your needs. Instead, you’ll want to make sure that you use a reflective surface, such as white, silver, or gold fabric.

So you can just grab a piece of dark cardboard and use it as a reflector it won’t work. Related Post: Best Reflective Boards for PhotographyĪlso, note that dark, non-reflective materials just won’t work well as reflectors, because they don’t reflect. Note that the quality of the bounced light will differ depending on the material of the reflector–so that white material will give a more even light than silver material, which will give cooler light than gold material, etc.

In reality, reflectors are pretty simple to understand. If you have sidelight and you angle the reflector so it’s facing off to the side, it’ll bounce the light slightly away from the sidelight source. So if you have an overhead light source and you put a reflector under it, the reflector will bounce the light right back at the overhead light source. What is a reflector, and what does it actually do?Īs the name suggests, a reflector bounces–that is, reflects–light in whatever direction you point it.

#Light reflector how to

How to Use Reflectors in Photography: Conclusion.Four Times When Reflectors Are Indispensable.