Adding a Reflector

When you have strong light from one side, adding a reflector of some sort on the other side can bring back detail on the dark side. Often you have to get that reflector as close as you can.

You can use almost anything white or near white as reflector, including cardboard, foil, mirrors, even a building or a truck.

Bottom Line: Look for reflectors to add light back in on the side away from the light source.

100mm, f11

direct flash, no reflector

direct flash, with reflector

umbrella, no reflector

umbrella, with reflector

softbox, no reflector

softbox, with reflector

bounce, no reflector

bounce, with reflector

direct flash, no reflector

direct flash, with reflector

umbrella, no reflector

umbrella, with reflector

softbox, no reflector

softbox, with reflector

bounce, no reflector

bounce, with reflector

direct flash, no reflector

direct flash, with reflector

umbrella, no reflector

umbrella, with reflector

softbox, no reflector

softbox, with reflector

bounce, no reflector

bounce, with reflector

Left

Right

Direct flash with no reflector on the dark side of the face — pretty harsh light.

direct flash, no reflector

Direct flash with reflector on the dark side of the face — shows more detail on the dark side, but leaves large dark areas.

direct flash, with reflector

Large umbrella on left, no reflector

umbrella with no reflector

Umbrella with no reflector on right.

Large umbrella on left, with reflector.

Large umbrella on left, with reflector

Softbox on left, no reflector on right.

softbox on left, no reflector

Softbox on left, with reflector.

reflector on right

Softbox on left, with reflector.

Bounce light, no reflector

Bounce light with reflector.

bounce light with reflector

Direct flash with no reflector on the dark side of the face — pretty harsh light.

direct flash, no reflector

Direct flash with reflector on the dark side of the face — shows more detail on the dark side, but leaves large dark areas.

direct flash, with reflector

Large umbrella on left, no reflector

umbrella with no reflector

Umbrella with no reflector on right.

Large umbrella on left, with reflector.

Large umbrella on left, with reflector

Softbox on left, no reflector on right.

softbox on left, no reflector

Softbox on left, with reflector.

reflector on right

Softbox on left, with reflector.

Bounce light, no reflector

Bounce light with reflector.

bounce light with reflector