

You need to determine how intense that light is and where it is coming from. Photography light reflectors bounce back existing light.
#SUN REFLECTOR HOW TO#
How to Check the Light in Your Scene: Intensity and Location (Yes, you could cut a hole in a cheap reflector and make your own).Ģ. And they tend to be easier to manage yourself. Shoot through reflectors work great for backlighting. These are regular reflectors with a hole cut in the center. There’s one more type to consider: shoot through reflectors. So choose the shape that you’d like to see reflected in the subject’s eyes. The shape of the reflector will change the shape of the catch lights in a portrait. But there are several different shapes of light reflectors available. Shape isn’t quite as essential as size and color. I spent less than $30 on my first five-in-one, and it was still a rather large 42-inch size. For example, 5-in-1 reflectors are readily available on Amazon and, also, very affordable. You can easily find a reflector kit online. Place this between the light and the subject to soften the light, not reflect it. This can help you create your own shade.Ī semi-transparent white is a diffuser. The black side of the photography light reflector will block light. So what are the other two reflector colors? They aren’t actually “reflectors” if you get technical. This makes it easy to carry with you when you’re not doing studio photography. It folds down to 1/3rd of its open size and is lightweight. You can also opt of a collapsible reflector, like this Westcott Photo Basics kit. Many light reflectors come in a five-in-one kit so that you have all those colors available. A gold reflector is like the silver reflector, only it will give the subject a warm glow. This creates a harsher but more powerful light. A solid white reflector will produce a very soft light.Ī reflector with a silver side will reflect more light back than the white. The color of the reflector also affects the look of the light that bounces back. You can use smaller reflectors for smaller subjects and to create that harder light. Remember though, the larger the light reflector is, the harder it is to hold it without asking for help.Ī 40-45 inch reflector is a great size. Anything over 50 inches gets hard to manage without recruiting some extra hands. Larger light reflectors are more common because of the soft light. A 45-inch light reflector will work for one or two people, but not large groups. The photography light reflector also needs to be a bit larger than the subject. And less transition between the light and dark areas of the image. You may want to keep this in mind for portrait photography.
#SUN REFLECTOR SKIN#
Additionally, larger reflectors tend to be more flattering for all skin types. With a large reflector, the shadows are less noticeable. This creates a softer transition between the light and dark areas of an image. This is a concept that applies whether you are using a strobe with a softbox or a reflector.Ī larger photography reflector will have soft light.

The larger a light source is, the softer the light. All reflectors bounce light, but a few subtle changes will affect how that light bounces. Photography reflectors are very simple tools. Which Photography Reflector Should You Use How To Use Light Reflectors For Photography 1. Unwrap and use it to bounce the light to where you want it to go. There is nothing easier than using reflectors in photography. Right next to their very expensive studio gear! But many pros use them for their ability to create soft, flattering light. Photography reflectors are stepping stones to introduce beginning photographers to lighting. They don’t even need batteries, buttons or cords. And prevent a silhouette or enhance a product photo.Īnd they are also affordable accessories.

They can also create catch lights in portraits. Reflectors are excellent tools for adding fill light. Buy from Unavailable Benefits of Using Photography Reflectors for Light ControlĪ photography light reflector bounces existing light.
