Reflectors and Diffusers

Reflectors and diffusers are the most cost-effective lighting tools. A single reflector can replace a second light. A diffuser can transform harsh sun into beautiful soft light. These simple tools belong in every photographer's kit.

This guide covers types, techniques, and practical applications.

Reflector Types

Reflectors bounce light back toward your subject. Different surfaces produce different qualities of fill.

White Reflectors

Characteristics:

• Neutral colour (doesn't add warmth or coolness)
• Soft, diffused bounce
• Least efficient (absorbs some light)
• Most natural-looking fill

Use when:

• You want gentle, unobtrusive fill
• Colour accuracy is important
• You're close to the subject (efficiency less important)
• Natural appearance is the goal

Typical efficiency: Returns about 50-60% of incident light

Silver Reflectors

Characteristics:

• High efficiency (returns more light than white)
• Slightly specular (can create distinct catchlight)
• Neutral to slightly cool colour
• More punch than white

Use when:

• Subject is farther from reflector
• You need more fill power
• You want clearly visible fill effect
• Catchlights should be bright and defined

Typical efficiency: Returns about 70-90% of incident light

Gold Reflectors

Characteristics:

• Adds warm colour to fill
• High efficiency (like silver)
• Creates warm skin tones
• Can clash with cool main light

Use when:

• You want warm fill (sunset simulation)
• Counteracting cool overhead light
• Creating golden-hour look
• Subject has cool/pale skin you want to warm

Caution: Gold can look unnatural if overused or if it doesn't match the main light colour.

Silver/Gold Combination (Sunfire, Zebra)

Characteristics:

• Striped or blended silver and gold
• Warm but not as intense as pure gold
• Popular middle ground
• Less likely to clash

Use when:

• You want some warmth but not full gold
• General outdoor portraits
• Versatile location shooting

Translucent Reflectors (Diffusion)

Technically diffusers, but often sold in reflector kits.

Characteristics:

• Shoot light through, not bounce off
• Softens and diffuses the source
• Reduces intensity (typically 1-2 stops)
• Creates larger apparent source

Use when:

• Modifying harsh direct sun
• Creating soft overhead light
• Need large, soft source outdoors

Black Panels (Negative Fill)

The opposite of a reflector—absorbs light instead of bouncing it.

Characteristics:

• Removes fill from shadows
• Increases contrast
• Creates deeper shadows
• Adds drama

Use when:

• Shadows aren't deep enough
• You want more drama/contrast
• Light is bouncing from unwanted surfaces
• Creating moody, low-key images

Reflector Sizes

Size affects both how much light you can redirect and how soft the resulting fill appears.

Small (30-50cm)

Best for:

• Headshots
• Close-up detail work
• Tabletop/product photography
• Portable location kit

Limitations:

• Only covers small area
• Must be close to subject
• Can't handle full-body shots

Medium (80-110cm)

Best for:

• Head and shoulders portraits
• Most portrait work
• Good balance of portability and coverage
• Standard size for most photographers

The most versatile size for general use.

Large (120-180cm)

Best for:

• Full-body portraits
• Two-person shots
• When you need soft fill from farther away
• Fashion and editorial

Considerations:

• Requires assistant or heavy-duty stand
• Catches wind outdoors
• Less portable

Very Large (2m+)

Best for:

• Groups
• Full-length fashion
• Creating wall-of-fill effect
• Studio use

Considerations:

• Generally not portable
• Requires dedicated grip equipment
• Often rigid panels rather than collapsible

Using Reflectors Effectively

Distance and Angle

Distance affects intensity:

• Closer reflector = more fill
• Farther reflector = less fill
• Follows inverse square law

Angle affects where fill goes:

• Angle reflector to catch light source
• Redirect toward shadows you want to fill
• Think of it like a mirror—angle of incidence equals angle of reflection

Height Position

Below subject (most common for portraits):

• Fills under-eye shadows
• Adds catchlight in lower part of eye
• Natural look (simulates ground bounce)

At subject level:

• Fills side shadows
• Good for rim fill
• Creates wrap-around effect

Above subject:

• Fills top-lit shadows
• Less common
• Useful in specific situations (overhead window)

Catching and Redirecting Light

Finding the "spot":

1. Position reflector roughly facing the light source
2. Angle it toward the subject
3. Watch the subject (or have them tell you) as you adjust
4. Find the angle where maximum light hits the shadows

Practice tip: Look at the reflector surface while adjusting. You should see the light source reflected in it, aimed toward the subject.

Fill Ratio Control

More fill (lower ratio):

• Move reflector closer
• Use silver instead of white
• Use larger reflector
• Angle more directly at subject

Less fill (higher ratio):

• Move reflector farther
• Use white instead of silver
• Use smaller reflector
• Angle less directly

Diffusion Materials

Diffusers work by spreading light over a larger area, softening it.

Scrim/Translucent Panel

How it works: Position between light source (sun, flash) and subject. Light passes through and emerges softer.

Effect:

• Softens harsh shadows
• Reduces contrast
• Creates larger apparent source
• Loses 1-2 stops typically

Diffusion Frames

Types:

• Silk: High quality, very even diffusion
• Muslin: Heavier diffusion
• Ripstop nylon: Durable, outdoor use
• Shower curtain: DIY, cheap, works fine

Frame options:

• Collapsible round (like reflector)
• Rectangle frame with fabric
• DIY PVC frame

Using Diffusion Effectively

Position: Between harsh source and subject. The closer to subject, the softer (larger apparent source). The closer to the light source, the less falloff across the subject.

Size matters: Diffusion panel must be larger than your subject area, or harsh light will spill around the edges.

Height: Usually overhead, creating open shade effect. Can also be positioned to the side.

Subtractive Lighting

Sometimes you need less light, not more.

Flags

Black panels that block light from hitting specific areas.

Uses:

• Prevent lens flare (flag between light and lens)
• Keep light off background
• Create shadow on subject
• Control spill

Negative Fill

Black panels positioned where a reflector would go—to absorb bounced light rather than add it.

When to use:

• White walls are filling shadows too much
• You want deeper shadows for drama
• Available fill is reducing your contrast ratio
• Creating moody, directional light

Example: Subject near white wall. Place black panel on the wall side. Removes bounced fill, creating deeper shadows on that side.

Creating Shadow

Strategically placed flags can create shadow areas:

Background shadow: Flag blocks light from hitting background, making it darker.

Subject shadow: Flag prevents spill from fill light hitting areas you want darker.

Practical Setups

One Light + Reflector (Portrait)

The classic simple setup:

Results: Beautiful portrait lighting with single light source.

Window Light + Reflector

Using natural light with fill:

Results: Soft, natural portrait lighting with no artificial light.

Outdoor Sun Control

Taming harsh sunlight:

Diffusion overhead:

Reflector as main light:

Product Photography

Reflectors for products:

Surrounding the product: White cards on multiple sides create even illumination.

Creating highlights: Silver cards create specular highlights on reflective surfaces.

Controlling reflections: Black cards prevent unwanted reflections in shiny products.

DIY Options

Foam Core Board

Advantages:

• Cheap (art supply stores)
• Large sizes available
• Rigid (stands up without holder)
• White on both sides
• Can tape black fabric to one side

Disadvantages:

• Not collapsible
• Can warp with humidity
• Takes storage space

Poster Board

Similar to foam core but thinner and cheaper. Good for small tabletop work.

Car Sun Shades

Advantages:

• Very cheap
• Collapsible
• Silver surface
• Often have white reverse side

Disadvantages:

• Quality varies
• Shape may not be ideal
• Surface may not be even

Shower Curtain

For diffusion:

• Cheap
• Large sizes available
• Ripstop versions durable
• Works as well as expensive silk for most uses

Space Blanket (Emergency Blanket)

Advantages:

• Extremely cheap
• Highly reflective (silver)
• Packs tiny

Disadvantages:

• Crinkles (uneven reflection)
• Tears easily
• Looks unprofessional (if that matters)

Grip Equipment for Reflectors

Holding Reflectors

With assistant: Best option—assistant can respond to your direction, adjust in real-time.

With stand:

• Reflector arm/bracket holds reflector to light stand
• Needs counterweight (sandbag)
• Less flexible but hands-free

With clamps:

• A-clamps, spring clamps attach to any surface
• Good for tabletop work
• Can attach to light stands

Outdoor Wind Management

Problem: Large reflectors catch wind like sails.

Solutions:

• Sandbag your stands (essential)
• Have assistant hold reflector
• Use lower position (less leverage)
• Wait for wind pauses
• Consider smaller reflector
• Cut holes in DIY reflectors (reduces wind catch)

Summary

• White reflectors: neutral, soft, natural—most versatile
• Silver reflectors: high efficiency, more punch, defined catchlights
• Gold reflectors: warm fill, use sparingly
• Translucent panels: diffuse harsh sources, lose 1-2 stops
• Black panels: subtract light, increase contrast
• Size determines coverage area and softness
• Distance controls fill intensity
• One light + reflector solves most portrait lighting needs
• DIY options work nearly as well as professional gear

Reflectors and diffusers are fundamentally simple—they redirect or soften light. But mastering their use transforms your lighting capabilities. Practice with natural light and a single reflector before adding complexity. The skills transfer directly to multi-light studio work.