DIY: How to Build and Use a Reflector for Better Portraits
A reflector is a fantastic, inexpensive tool for improving your portrait photography. It bounces light back onto your subject, filling in shadows, softening harsh lighting, and adding a catchlight to their eyes. You can buy them, but building your own is surprisingly easy and cost-effective.
Part 1: Building Your DIY Reflector
Here are a few options for building your own reflector, ranging from simple to slightly more involved:
Option 1: The Cardboard and Foil Reflector (Simplest)
* Materials:
* Large piece of cardboard (foam core board is even better) - ideally at least 2x3 feet (60x90 cm). You can repurpose a box.
* Aluminum foil (regular household foil)
* Glue or tape (packing tape or strong glue stick recommended)
* Instructions:
1. Cut the Cardboard: Cut the cardboard into a rectangle of your desired size. Larger reflectors are more effective, but can be unwieldy.
2. Apply Adhesive: Coat one side of the cardboard with glue or tape, ensuring full coverage.
3. Attach Foil: Carefully lay the aluminum foil onto the glued surface, smoothing it out to minimize wrinkles. Wrinkles can create a more diffused light, which might be what you're aiming for (see variations below).
4. Trim Excess: Trim any excess foil from the edges.
5. (Optional) Handle: Attach a piece of sturdy tape or cardboard to the back to act as a handle.
* Variations:
* Diffused Light: Instead of smoothing the foil, lightly crumple it before applying. This will scatter the light more, creating a softer, more diffused reflection.
* Warm Tone: Wrap the cardboard with gold-colored wrapping paper or foil for a warmer light.
* White Reflector: Simply paint the cardboard white or cover it with white paper/fabric. This is a softer, less intense reflector than foil.
Option 2: The Fabric-Covered Reflector (Slightly More Complex)
* Materials:
* Foam core board (same size as above)
* Fabric (white muslin, white fleece, silver lame, gold lame, etc.) - slightly larger than the board. White fabric is most versatile.
* Spray adhesive or fabric glue
* Scissors
* Staple gun (optional, for securing fabric edges)
* Instructions:
1. Cut the Foam Core: Cut the foam core to the desired size.
2. Spray Adhesive: Lightly spray one side of the foam core with spray adhesive.
3. Attach Fabric: Carefully lay the fabric onto the adhesive, smoothing it out.
4. Trim Excess Fabric: Trim the excess fabric, leaving a couple of inches around the edges.
5. Wrap the Edges: Fold the excess fabric over the edges to the back of the board. Secure with glue, staples, or tape.
6. (Optional) Handle: Attach a piece of sturdy tape or cardboard to the back to act as a handle.
* Variations:
* Reversible Reflector: Use different fabrics on each side (e.g., white on one side, silver on the other) for different lighting effects.
* Circular Reflector: Cut the foam core into a circle for a more even light distribution. This will require a slightly different fabric wrapping technique.
Option 3: The Collapsible Reflector (Most Portable - Requires Sewing)
* Materials:
* Wire (coat hanger wire or spring steel) - to create a circular frame.
* Fabric (white, silver, gold) - enough to cover the frame.
* Sewing machine (optional, but highly recommended)
* Thread
* Bias tape or elastic
* Zipper (optional, for reversible cover)
* Instructions (Simplified):
1. Create the Frame: Bend the wire into a circle. Overlap the ends and secure them tightly with pliers and wire.
2. Sew the Cover: Cut two pieces of fabric slightly larger than the circle. Sew them together around the edge, leaving a small opening for the wire frame.
3. Insert the Frame: Insert the wire frame into the fabric cover.
4. Close the Opening: Close the opening in the fabric cover.
5. Add Edge Binding: Sew bias tape or elastic around the edge for a clean finish and to reinforce the edge.
6. (Optional) Reversible Cover: Create a separate cover with a different fabric (e.g., silver) and attach it with a zipper.
7. Collapsing Mechanism: You'll need to research specific techniques for making the wire frame collapsible. This often involves overlapping the wire in a specific way.
* This option is more involved and requires more skill. There are many online tutorials specifically for building collapsible reflectors.
Part 2: Using Your DIY Reflector
Now that you have your reflector, here's how to use it effectively:
* Understanding Light Direction: The reflector bounces light, so you need to position it opposite the primary light source (sun, window, or flash).
* Positioning the Reflector:
* Subject Position: Have your subject stand or sit facing the light source.
* Reflector Placement: Place the reflector on the opposite side of the subject, angled to bounce the light back onto their face. The angle is crucial - experiment until you see the shadows being filled in.
* Distance: The closer the reflector is to the subject, the stronger the effect will be. However, avoid getting it so close that it's visible in the frame (unless you're intentionally using it as a prop).
* Holding the Reflector:
* Assistant: Ideally, have someone hold the reflector for you. They can adjust the angle and distance as needed.
* Reflector Holder/Stand: You can buy inexpensive reflector holders or stands that attach to light stands.
* Improvised Methods: Lean the reflector against a wall, chair, or other object. You can also use clamps or tape to secure it in place.
* Tips for Using a Reflector:
* Start Subtle: Don't overdo it. The goal is to fill in shadows and create a more flattering light, not to blast your subject with light.
* Watch for Catchlights: Look for a small highlight in the subject's eyes. This is called a catchlight, and it adds life and sparkle to the eyes.
* Experiment: Try different angles and distances to see what works best for your subject and the lighting conditions.
* Pay Attention to Color: The color of the reflector will affect the color of the light. White is neutral, silver is brighter and cooler, and gold is warmer.
* Outdoor Use: Reflectors are especially useful outdoors, where they can bounce sunlight to fill in harsh shadows.
* Indoor Use: Use the reflector to bounce light from a window or lamp.
* Combine with Fill Flash: A reflector can be combined with a fill flash to balance the exposure even further.
Example Scenarios:
* Outdoor Portrait in Sunlight: Have the subject stand with their back to the sun (or to the side with the sun behind them). Use a white or silver reflector to bounce sunlight back onto their face, filling in shadows and creating a pleasing light.
* Indoor Portrait by a Window: Have the subject face a window. Use a reflector to bounce the window light back onto their face, filling in shadows on the opposite side.
* Portrait with a Dark Background: Use a reflector to brighten the subject and separate them from the background.
Troubleshooting:
* Reflector is too bright: Move the reflector further away or try a white reflector instead of silver.
* Reflector isn't doing anything: Make sure the reflector is angled correctly to bounce light onto the subject. Check that the reflector is actually reflecting light - is it being blocked by something?
* Unnatural Lighting: Avoid overly bright or uneven lighting. Adjust the reflector and lighting until you achieve a natural and flattering result.
By experimenting with different reflector types, positions, and lighting conditions, you can significantly improve the quality of your portrait photography. Good luck!