Online Photography Courses - A Simple Reflector Method

Want to make your outdoor photographs more dramatic? Modifying the sunlight is simple to do and can alter the mood of your photographs substantially. The good thing about this technique is it is really simple and requires little equipment for low or no cost.

All you need for this technique is good sunlight, a model or any subject and one reflector. You can buy a reflector for low cost or you can make one from scrap. This can be large card, Styrofoam sheeting, a poster board, a mirror, or anything that will reflect light. If you choose board you need to paint one side so that it reflects well. White and silver are the most common colors to paint the surface; these will be the most reflective. Also, the bigger the reflector the better; this is especially desirable if you are photographing people.

Mid afternoon sunlight provides great saturated colors for photography and is ideal for reflecting light back to one side of your subject. Unlike a studio light, you can't change the angle of the sun to suit your lighting requirements. But you can use reflectors to help you.

Using a reflector is easy; just position so the sun hits the reflector and bounces back onto the subject. Since you cannot control the sun, you will need to manipulate the placement and angle of the reflector and subject so you get the directional light you want.

Photographers usually use a reflector to fill harsh shadows created by direct sunlight. The sun serves as your main or key light and the reflector serves as your fill light. Use the reflector to fill in the shadow area of your subject. The amount of fill is determined by you, but is conditional on the size of the reflector, the reflection capacity, closeness to the subject and the strength of the sunlight.

Reflectors are a simple method for throwing additional light to subject areas that need more light. Pack one in your kit next time you make some portraits in the outdoors. Reference to a suitable online photography course would open up further techniques in lighting, reflectors and other lighting devices for your photography.