Reflecting light in photography is a common technique to control and shape illumination on your subject, filling in shadows and adding dimension.
You reflect light in photography primarily by bouncing existing light off a surface and directing it back onto your subject. This surface can be a dedicated tool like a photography reflector or even everyday objects and environmental surfaces.
Essential Tools and Techniques for Light Reflection
Controlling reflected light allows photographers to soften harsh shadows, add catchlights to eyes, and create more balanced exposures. Here are key ways to achieve this, drawing directly from practical methods:
1. Utilize a Photography Reflector
A photography reflector is a dedicated tool designed specifically for bouncing light. These often come in various sizes and surfaces (silver, white, gold, black, or translucent) to provide different effects.
- White Surface: Provides a soft, neutral reflection, ideal for gently filling shadows without changing the light's color.
- Silver Surface: Offers a brighter, cooler reflection, useful for adding more punch and distance.
- Gold Surface: Adds a warm tone to the reflected light, great for portraits to give a healthy glow.
- Black Surface: Used to absorb light, acting as a "negative fill" to deepen shadows or block unwanted light.
- Translucent Surface: Acts as a diffuser, softening light passing through it rather than reflecting it.
By positioning the reflector opposite your main light source, you can bounce light back onto the shaded side of your subject.
2. Use Household Items as Reflectors
You don't always need specialized gear. If you don't want to invest in a reflector right away, you can use readily available items:
- White Card: A simple white piece of foam board, cardstock, or even a large piece of paper can effectively bounce light back onto your subject. It provides a soft, neutral reflection similar to a white reflector.
- White Sheet: A clean white bed sheet or fabric can also serve as a large, soft reflector, particularly useful for larger subjects or scenes.
These makeshift reflectors work just like dedicated white reflectors, offering a gentle way to fill shadows.
3. Leverage Environmental Surfaces
Your surroundings can also act as natural reflectors, providing ambient reflected light.
- White or Gray Surfaces: Look for white or gray surfaces in your environment, such as walls, sidewalks, or even light-colored clothing. These surfaces reflect soft light, which can naturally illuminate shaded areas of your subject, creating a subtle and diffused fill. Positioning your subject near such surfaces can significantly impact the lighting.
4. Identify Surfaces for Harder Reflection
Sometimes, you might want a stronger, more directional bounce of light.
- Reflective Surfaces (Water, Glass, Metal): For hard light, look for surfaces like water, glass, or metal. These surfaces create specular reflections, meaning they bounce light in a more focused, intense way. While often used for creative effects like reflections in the image, the light bouncing off these surfaces onto your subject will be harder and more defined than light bounced off a soft, white surface.
By understanding how different surfaces interact with light, you can intentionally use them to shape the illumination on your subject and achieve your desired photographic look.
