I. Building Your DIY Reflector
Here are a few options, ranging from super simple to slightly more involved:
A. Simplest Option: Foam Board
* Materials:
* White Foam Board: A large sheet of foam board (at least 20x30 inches, but larger is better) from a craft store, art supply store, or even some dollar stores. White is the most versatile.
* Optional: Silver/Gold Paint, Aluminum Foil, Cardboard (for reinforcement)
* Optional: Duct tape, glue
* Optional: Handles (see step D for this)
* Instructions:
1. Simple Reflection: Use the white foam board directly. The matte white surface provides a soft, diffused reflection.
2. Customizing: You can create different reflective surfaces on different areas of the board, or on another side.
3. For Silver: Cover one side with crumpled and then flattened aluminum foil (shiny side out). This provides a brighter, harsher light. Use a spray adhesive or glue to attach the foil. The crumpled texture helps diffuse the light slightly, preventing it from being too harsh.
4. For Gold: Use gold paint from the craft store. Gold can add warmth to the light.
5. Reinforcement (Optional): If your foam board is flimsy, glue it to a piece of cardboard for added rigidity.
* Pros: Extremely cheap, lightweight, easy to transport, readily available.
* Cons: Can be flimsy, not as durable as commercial reflectors, only provides basic reflection options.
B. More Durable Option: Car Windshield Reflector
* Materials:
* Car Windshield Reflector: The collapsible type, often silver on one side. These are very inexpensive.
* Optional: Fabric (White, Black, Gold/Silver), Sewing Machine/Needle and Thread (for the covers)
* Optional: Duct Tape
* Instructions:
1. Using "As Is": You can use the reflector as it is, holding it or positioning it with a stand or leaning it against something. The silver side provides a brighter, more specular reflection.
2. Creating Custom Covers: This is where it gets more useful. Sew covers using fabric. This gives you a white, silver, or gold reflector to be used on either side.
* Pros: More durable than foam board, provides a ready-made silver reflector, collapsible for easy storage.
* Cons: Silver can be too harsh for some situations, may need custom covers for softer light.
C. DIY Reflector Stand
* Clothes Pin/Clamp Style
* Affix clothes pins, or a strong spring clamp to the back of the reflector.
* Attach reflector to a pole, chair, or other surface
* Tripod Reflector Arm
* If you have an extra tripod, you can affix the reflector to the tripod with duct tape, spring clamps, and string
* Buy a Stand
* Cheap reflector stands can be found online for about $20
D. Adding Handles
* Having a friend to hold the reflector is best. But if you're shooting solo, adding handles helps!
* Duct Tape Handles: Roll up a piece of duct tape into a tube (sticky side out), then wrap it with another layer of duct tape (sticky side in) to create a strong, non-sticky handle. Attach these to the back of your reflector.
* Fabric Handles: Sew fabric loops onto the back of the reflector (if you're using fabric as the base).
* Hardware Store Handles: Purchase small metal handles from a hardware store and attach them to the back of the reflector with bolts/screws or glue.
II. Using Your Reflector for Portraits
A. Understanding Reflector Principles
* Reflectors Bounce Light: They don't create light; they redirect existing light. Think of them as mirrors that diffuse the light to varying degrees.
* Light Source Position is Key: The position of the sun (or your main light source) and the position of the reflector relative to your subject are critical.
* Distance Matters: The closer the reflector is to your subject, the brighter and more defined the reflected light will be. Further away, the reflected light will be softer and less intense.
* Angle is Important: Adjusting the angle of the reflector will change where the light falls on your subject's face.
B. Basic Reflector Placement for Portraits
1. The Classic Fill Light Position:
* Light Source: Sun (or your key light)
* Subject: In front of the sun.
* Reflector: Position the reflector *opposite* the sun, at roughly a 45-degree angle to your subject's face and slightly *below* eye level. This will bounce light back up into the shadows under their eyes, nose, and chin.
* Effect: Reduces harsh shadows, brightens the subject's face, and adds a catchlight in their eyes.
2. Side Lighting:
* Light Source: Sun (or your key light)
* Subject: Turned slightly so one side of their face is towards the light source and the other is in shadow.
* Reflector: Position the reflector on the *shadow side* of the subject's face, angled to bounce light back into the shadows.
* Effect: Creates more dramatic lighting, adds dimension, and highlights the subject's facial features.
3. Backlighting:
* Light Source: Sun (or your key light) is *behind* the subject.
* Subject: Between the light source and the camera.
* Reflector: Position the reflector in front of the subject, angled to bounce light *up* onto their face. This can be tricky because you need to avoid the reflector being seen in the shot.
* Effect: Creates a beautiful rim light around the subject's hair and shoulders, and the reflector fills in the shadows on their face.
C. Choosing the Right Reflector Surface
* White: The most versatile. Provides a soft, natural fill light without adding any color cast. Good for most situations.
* Silver: Bounces the most light, creating a brighter and more specular (directional) reflection. Use with caution, as it can be too harsh and create hot spots. Good for overcast days or when you need a lot of light.
* Gold: Adds a warm, golden glow to the light. Ideal for portraits where you want to add warmth to the skin tones, like at sunset.
* Black: Surprisingly useful. A black reflector (or flag) is used to *block* light, creating deeper shadows and more contrast. You might use it to block direct sunlight from hitting the subject's face, allowing you to control the light more precisely.
D. Tips for Using Reflectors Effectively
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to move the reflector around and try different angles to see how the light changes.
* Observe the Shadows: Pay attention to the shadows on your subject's face. Your goal is to soften or eliminate unflattering shadows, not to eliminate all shadows entirely.
* Use a Helper: Having someone hold the reflector for you is ideal, as they can make adjustments on the fly.
* Start Small: Begin with the reflector further away and gradually move it closer until you get the desired effect.
* Watch for Hot Spots: If the reflected light is too bright in one area, try diffusing the light with a piece of translucent material (like a thin white cloth) or moving the reflector further away.
* Consider the Background: Be mindful of what the reflector is reflecting. If you're shooting near a bright wall, the reflector will bounce that color onto your subject.
* Practice Outdoors: Natural light is the best environment to practice using reflectors.
* Avoid Direct Sunlight on Reflector: Try to position the reflector in a way that it is in shade itself. It will be much easier to get the right lighting
* Have Fun!
III. Safety Considerations
* Eye Protection: Be careful not to shine the reflected light directly into your subject's eyes, especially when using a silver reflector.
* Wind: On windy days, make sure your reflector is securely held in place to prevent it from being blown away or causing injury.
* Heat: If you're using a metal reflector in direct sunlight, it can get very hot. Be careful when handling it.
By following these instructions, you can build a useful reflector and learn how to use it to take better portraits, even on a budget! Good luck and have fun experimenting!