When Do I Use the Different Reflector Colors?
May 4, 2011 
10 Comments
Notice the diffuser held above the models and the gold side of a reflector held underneath the models
If anyone in my classes is interested in portraiture, I usually tell them that the best piece of gear they can buy to improve their photography is a simple reflector. When they hear that a good one only cost about $25, they run out and buy one…. then, I know it’s coming.
They come into class the next week and ask when to use each of the colors on their reflector. Let’s settle this one. First of all, I need to point out that some reflectors have 5 different materials on them that can be removed and changed out to use a different material via a zipper. Other reflectors just have one color. I personally recommend the Westcott 5-in-1 reflector for size, versatility, price, and durability. I’ve tried other brands and they don’t seem to be as durable in my experience.
The White Side
I use the white side most of the time, but I usually recommend that beginners use the silver side in most situations. The white side casts a very soft, clean light at the model and is useful in studio where flash is used, or when there is ample light outside like during a sunny noon-time shoot.
The reason I usually get beginners started off on the silver side is that beginners rarely put the reflector close enough to the model, so the white side shows no effect at all. Also, the white side is useless in low light situations unless it is extremely close to the model’s face.
The Gold Side
The metallic gold material casts a very strong warm light onto the subject. Every time I decide to get fancy and try the gold, the subject ends up with a radioactive-looking gold face. I have seen some reflectors with a zig-zag white/gold side that I’d like to try, but I haven’t given it a shot yet.
I have used the gold side with success only a few times for sunset portraits when the sunset was very yellow. Other than that, it is not overly useful in my practical experience.
The Black Side
The black side isn’t a reflector at all. It’s an anti-reflector. Photographers use a black reflector to cast a shadow on certain areas of the image. For example, if the lights are producing too even of a light on the model’s face, a the black side of the reflector can cut out the light on one side to create more artistic shadows. If you want to sound like a photographer who is in-the-know, you should call the black side of a reflector a “flag” when used for this purpose.
The Silver Side
As I already mentioned, I recommend this side for beginners who never seem to realize how close the reflector should be placed to the model. The silver side is terrific for shooting in low light or where a strong light is needed; however, the light is often too strong for mid-day shooting unless it is feathered away. Many photographers use the silver side more than any other, but I personally end up using white more.
The Translucent Center
When you zip off the reversible material on a reflector, the middle of the frame is a translucent material called a diffuser. This side of the reflector is usually held directly above the subject to soften the sun’s natural light. It will always go between the light source and the subject.
I use the translucent diffuser quite commonly. When I shoot sunset portraits on the beach, the wind is often too strong to use an umbrella or a softbox, so I like to use the diffuser as a convenient way to soften the hard light produced by my bare strobe when I’m in a pinch.
If you like this site and you’d like to improve our relationship together, perhaps we should be friends on our facebook and also on our twitter page.
Further Reading:
- 15 Tips For Stunning Black and White Photography
- Review of the Black Rapid RS-5 Camera Strap
- How to Use Umbrellas in Flash Photography
- 7 Lessons That Most Photographers Learn the Hard Way
The gold side fooled me for a while too. It’s for filling shadow when the background is in sunlight. This matches the shadow colour temperature with the background.
Hope that helps,
Greg
Exactly my experiences as well. Silver is too hot, too bright in the sunlight. I’ll have to try it in low-key situations now! Thanks!
i used the gold doing closeups in the autumn and a cloudy day they came out gorgeous.
I used the gold side for fall family photos. We were all wearing “fall” colors–orange, red, and brown. I really liked the way they turned out!
Which size of reflector is more recommended for more close-ups portraits and full-body or little less portraits?
And does the shape really matter? As some reflectors I saw were round, some oval.
Thanks!
Black side can be used two ways. As a flag or a “cutter” to do just that, cut direct light. It can also be used to “cut” ambient and non directional light by placing it next to a subject. This application is called by some “negative fill.” (This effect works best with the black pretty close to the subject, generally just off camera…it sorta sucks up the ambient on the fill side.) Also, don’t give up on the gold…just don’t use it directly on a subject. Use it for bounce to get edge or back lighting…this image is with a gold reflector as an edge light. http://taylormeritt.com/#untitled-gallery-3/15 (It mighta been the wavy metallic gold…what’s called “microwave”, but it’s gold in color.) Only an astute picker of nits would notice that some of the other images have white sunlight in the deep BG and that’s the color it really was. Other of the shots use the gold bounce simply to separate the subject from the flat and darker background by providing a contrasting bright spot for her to be against.
Ok, got it. Don’t answer my question.
Very useful info! Will buy the silver and white combo.
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Appreciate it!|