I thought I’d post a few photos that were taken using natural light with a reflector. A reflector is one of the least expensive source of light you can get. A reflector bounces light and can serve as either a main light or fill light. When shooting outdoors, it’s a great way to add extra oomph to the sometimes flat natural lighting. But there are a few things you should be aware of when using a reflector. Click through for a few photos and then the tips.

The photos above were taken using my favorite lightweight natural light photography combo: Nikon D700 and 50mm f1.8. Below are some things to know that can help when using a reflector.

Tips on using a reflector:

1. Reflectors work great as fill lights. Set it up opposite your main light for a nice soft fill.
2. Reflectors can also serve as your main light (reflecting the sun onto your subject)
3. Reflectors can add that extra oomph to flat natural lighting.
4. When using it outdoors, grab an assistant if you can. With the photos above, I didn’t have one… so I had to hold with one hand or prop it on the ground. argggh annoying.
5. reflectors are tough to hold steady in the wind (even with an assistant). This is especially true for the typical large 5-in-1 round reflectors. The tri-grip reflector aids in this by having triangular shape making it easier to grip steady.
6. when used to reflect sunlight, your subjects will be squinting (make no mistake of this… unless they are trained models who are used to this). To help reduce squinting, feather your reflected light. How? Don’t reflect sunlight directly onto the subject’s face. Aim off to the side so you get a feathered, softer light.
7. If the reflector is close to the subject, avoid direct reflected sunlight. The light is often too strong (Two of the photos up top has reflected light that is borderline too strong).
8. Use the white side for even neutral soft light, silver for more specular luster/contrast, gold for that golden sunlight tone, black to absorb/prevent light bouncing back

For indoors, I use the Westcott Photo Basics 304 5-in-1 Reflector Kit. It’s tough to keep steady outdoors in the wind however.

For outdoors, I use the TriGrip Diffuser, One Stop – 30″ (75cm). It’s smaller, but much easier to hold outdoors. You need to buy the gold/silver/white/black panels separately though (TriFlip Reflector Fabric Set for LR3607)

Here’s the BTS photo… it shows the Tri-grip reflector that I use.

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