DIY How to Build and Use a Reflector for Better Portraits
Reflectors are essential tools for photographers, especially for portraiture. They bounce light back onto your subject, filling in shadows, adding highlights, and creating a more flattering and professional look. Buying a professional reflector can be expensive, but building one yourself is a simple and affordable alternative. This guide will walk you through building a basic reflector and then teach you how to use it to improve your portrait photography.
Part 1: Building Your DIY Reflector
Materials:
* Core Material (Choose ONE):
* Foam Core Board: This is a popular choice, lightweight, inexpensive, and readily available at most craft stores. White foam core is a good all-around option.
* Cardboard: You probably have some lying around. Recycle a large box! Consider painting it white.
* Thick Poster Board: Similar to foam core, but slightly thinner and more flexible.
* Reflective Car Windshield Sunshade: This is already reflective and often has a silver or white surface.
* Reflective Surface (Choose ONE or Combine):
* White Paint (Matte or Semi-Gloss): For painting cardboard or poster board. Provides a soft, even light.
* Silver Spray Paint: Creates a brighter, more specular reflection. Use sparingly and be mindful of potential harshness.
* Aluminum Foil: While very reflective, it can create harsh and uneven results. If using, crumple it and smooth it out partially to diffuse the light. Glue it securely to your base.
* White Fabric (Muslin, Fleece, etc.): Stretched and glued to the core. Provides a soft, diffused reflection.
* Reflective Fabric (Available at fabric stores): Offers various reflective properties and colors.
* Emergency Blanket (Silver or Gold): A very affordable option, especially for a gold reflector. Can be a bit crinkly and prone to tearing.
* Adhesive:
* Spray Adhesive: Best for applying fabric or foil.
* Glue Stick: Works well for lighter materials.
* Hot Glue Gun: Good for quickly securing materials, but be careful not to warp the base.
* Painter's Tape/Duct Tape: Useful for temporary positioning or repairs.
* Cutting Tools:
* Utility Knife or Box Cutter: For cutting foam core or cardboard. Use with a ruler and cutting mat!
* Scissors: For cutting fabric, foil, or tape.
* Ruler or Straight Edge: For accurate cuts.
* Pencil or Marker: For marking measurements.
Steps:
1. Determine the Size and Shape: A good starting point is a reflector around 24x36 inches (60x90cm). You can experiment with smaller sizes or different shapes (oval, round). Consider what you'll be shooting (headshots vs. full body) and the available space.
2. Prepare the Base: If using foam core, poster board, or cardboard, cut it to the desired size and shape using a utility knife or scissors and a ruler. Be careful and use a cutting mat if necessary.
3. Apply the Reflective Surface:
* Painting: If using paint, apply 2-3 thin coats, allowing each coat to dry completely.
* Foil/Fabric: Apply spray adhesive to both the base and the back of the foil/fabric. Let the adhesive become tacky for a minute or two, then carefully align and press the material onto the base, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
* Sunshade: If using a car sunshade, it might already be reflective. If not, cover it with another reflective material.
4. Reinforce Edges (Optional): Use tape or glue to reinforce the edges of your reflector to prevent fraying or tearing.
5. Let it Dry: Allow sufficient time for the adhesive and paint to dry completely before using the reflector.
Variations:
* Double-Sided Reflector: Apply a different reflective material to each side (e.g., white on one side and silver on the other) for different lighting effects.
* Collapsible Reflector: Cut the base into two or more hinged sections. Use tape or flexible fabric to create a hinge.
* Gold Reflector: Use gold fabric, gold foil, or a gold-colored emergency blanket for a warmer, sunnier light. Be careful with gold reflectors as they can easily become overpowering.
* Black Reflector (or Flag): Paint one side black to *subtract* light and create deeper shadows.
Part 2: Using Your DIY Reflector for Portraits
Basic Principles:
* Reflectors Bounce Light: They don't create light; they redirect it. You need a light source (sunlight or artificial light) to make them work.
* Position is Key: The angle of the reflector determines where the light is bounced. Small adjustments can make a big difference.
* Distance Matters: The closer the reflector is to the subject, the stronger the reflected light will be.
* Experiment! Every situation is different, so try different angles, distances, and reflector surfaces to find what works best.
Steps for Using a Reflector Outdoors (Natural Light):
1. Position Your Subject: Consider the direction of the sunlight. You usually want the light coming from *behind* your subject or at an angle, so the sun is not directly in their face causing squinting.
2. Identify the Shadows: Look at the shadows on your subject's face. Where are they deepest? These are the areas you want to fill in with the reflector.
3. Position the Reflector: Place the reflector on the *opposite* side of the subject from the main light source (the sun). Angle it so that it bounces light back onto the shadowed areas. You'll likely need an assistant to hold the reflector.
4. Observe the Effect: Look through your camera and see how the reflector is affecting the light on your subject's face. Adjust the reflector's angle and distance to achieve the desired effect.
5. Fine-Tune: Make small adjustments to the reflector's position until the shadows are softened and the subject's face is evenly lit.
Tips for Outdoor Use:
* Cloudy Days: Reflectors still work on cloudy days! They can help brighten the overall scene and add subtle highlights.
* Avoid Harsh Shadows: Be careful not to position the reflector so that it creates distracting or unnatural shadows.
* Wind: Secure the reflector in windy conditions to prevent it from blowing away. You might need a reflector holder or stand.
Steps for Using a Reflector Indoors (Artificial Light):
1. Set Up Your Light Source: This could be a window, a lamp, or a studio strobe.
2. Position Your Subject: Consider the direction of the light source and the shadows it creates.
3. Position the Reflector: Place the reflector on the opposite side of the subject from the light source. Angle it to bounce light back onto the shadowed areas.
4. Observe the Effect: Look through your camera and see how the reflector is affecting the light. Adjust the reflector's angle and distance to achieve the desired effect.
Tips for Indoor Use:
* Experiment with Light Source Distance: Moving your light source further away will soften the shadows and make the reflector's effect more subtle.
* White Ceilings: If you have a white ceiling, you can bounce your light source off the ceiling to create a soft, diffused light. A reflector can then be used to further refine the light.
* Distance to Subject: When using reflectors indoors, you'll likely need to keep the reflector closer to your subject to see a noticeable effect.
General Tips for Using Reflectors:
* Start Subtle: Don't overdo it! Start with a subtle amount of reflected light and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired effect.
* Watch for Glare: Be careful not to bounce too much light into your subject's eyes, as this can cause them to squint. Consider diffusing the light further with a piece of white fabric.
* Use a Light Meter (Optional): A light meter can help you measure the amount of light hitting your subject and ensure that the light is evenly distributed.
* Practice, Practice, Practice! The best way to learn how to use a reflector effectively is to practice with it in different lighting situations.
* Choose the Right Surface: White provides soft fill, silver provides brighter and cooler fill, and gold provides warm fill. Black surfaces subtract light, and can be used to darken shadows and create drama.
Troubleshooting:
* Reflector is too bright: Move the reflector further away from the subject or try using a less reflective surface (like white).
* Reflector isn't doing enough: Move the reflector closer to the subject, use a more reflective surface (like silver), or increase the intensity of your light source.
* Unnatural shadows: Adjust the angle of the reflector to soften the shadows. Make sure the light source is not too directional (move it further away or diffuse it).
With a little practice, you can use your DIY reflector to create beautiful, professional-looking portraits. Good luck and happy shooting!