A reflector is a flat surface that bounces light into shadows, so your subject looks softly and evenly lit. It works with sunlight, window light or any single source. The trick is to choose the right surface and hold it at the right angle.
What the surface color does
Reflectors come with different faces, and each changes the bounce.
- White: soft, neutral and forgiving. The best surface for beginners.
- Silver: brighter and a little cooler, with more contrast. Use it when the light is weak or you need a stronger lift.
- Gold: warm light that can flatter skin in cool shade but easily looks heavy. Use sparingly.
- Black: adds no light; it blocks it, which deepens shadows for a moody result.
- Translucent panel: placed between sun and subject, it diffuses harsh light.
A simple routine for portraits outdoors
- Find open shade or turn your subject so the sun is behind them, which prevents squinting.
- Stand opposite the light source, on the side you want to brighten.
- Hold the reflector below chin level, tilted upward toward the face, like a tray.
- Move it closer for more fill and farther away for less. Distance is your brightness dial.
- Check for eye sparkle. A bright catchlight in the lower eye shows the bounce is landing.
- Reduce the angle if your subject squints, and adjust until the face looks relaxed.
Position quick guide
| Placement | Effect |
|---|---|
| Below the face | Lifts shadows under the nose and chin |
| Beside the face | Opens the shadow cheek |
| Behind and above | Adds a rim of light to hair |
Working without help
Alone, you can prop a folding reflector against a chair, tripod or bag. A sheet of white foam board or a pale wall does the same job at no cost. In wind, hold the panel low and weigh down stands, because a large reflector acts like a sail.
Indoor use
Near a window, treat the glass as your main light. Seat the subject at an angle to it, then hold the reflector on the far side, close to their shoulder. Because indoor light is weaker, a silver or white surface placed near the face can lift shadows noticeably. Turn off ceiling lamps, since mixing warm bulbs with daylight gives odd skin color. Check the screen after the first frame and nudge the angle by a few degrees until the shadow side looks open but still shaped.
FAQ
Why does my subject squint with a reflector?
The bounced light is too bright or too direct. Move the reflector back, lower it, or switch to white from silver.
Can I use a reflector with flash?
Yes. It can bounce flash into shadows just as it bounces sunlight, and it needs no power.
The Short Version
Hold a white reflector below the face and opposite the light, move it nearer for more fill, and watch for a catchlight. Silver adds punch, gold adds warmth, and black deepens shadows.