Reflectors are great when you want to boost light, fill-in shadows and for great catch lights in the eyes. Reflectors give great versatility in how you shape and direct the reflected light on to your subject. The great thing about reflectors is that you don’t have to worry about power sources, heavy kit bags, leads & wires. These reflectors are very lightweight and extremely portable, take them anywhere you like!

Here is a 4-minute video from a true master, Kevin Wilson. He goes through his behind the scenes set up on how he creates incredible images using just reflectors.

If you would like to learn more, then you don’t want to miss the ‘Masters of Wedding’ Webinar Series. Click here for more info .

There are various kinds of reflectors which will give you different feel & look to your subject.

The silver reflector gives a bit of vitality & spice to your subject. The silver reflector cools the light when used outdoors and adds heavier contrast to its bounced light. It is as close to a mirror as you can get in terms of the reflected light. If you were shooting at mid-day with a strong sun, then a silver or a white reflector is recommended.

The gold reflector changes the colour temperature of the light. It is best used late in the afternoon (before the golden hour) to liven up skin tones and boost the catch lights. Many photographers use the gold reflectors during a beauty / fashion shoot.

The white reflector gives a neutral reflected light back on to the subject. A white reflector is great for a bit of fill light and makes the skin quite smooth. Is ideal for use indoors and outdoors when you want subtle illumination of your subject and don’t want to go for the strenght of flash or continuous lighting.

There are many different shapes & sizes of reflectors. Lastolite is one of the leading (and probably the best) at making great reflectors & diffusers. Here a few of my favourites.

The Lastolite 1.8×1.2m (6′x4′) Panelite Reflector is ideal for full length portrait or large product shots. This reflector collapses down to just one third of its original size. White retains natural colours whilst removing unwanted shadows and silver will do the same but increase contrast. Panelite Reflectors come in a choice of six reversible colours (Sunfire/White, Silver/White, Sunfire/Silver, Gold/White Silver/Gold and Sunlite/Soft Silver) and also available is a 2-Stop Diffuser. 

The Lastolite TriGrip reflectors feature a moulded handle complete with securing strap, allowing even more accurate positioning of the reflector with one hand, which means that light can be directed to all those awkward areas e.g. under the chin and eyes, without the need for stands or supports. The securing straps also allow you to support the reflector without actually gripping the handle, reducing the pressure on your wrist and fingers when held for prolonged periods.

Here is a great example of how to use the Trigrip. A ‘diffused’ Trigrip is used overhead behind the subject to soften the harsh sunlight and a silver reflector is used to bounce the diffused & soft light onto the subject.

Ideal for photographers who work alone. Lastolite’s TriGrip reflectors are excellent as they can be held and manoeuvred one handed. But what if you require both hands to operate your camera and don’t have the luxury of an assistant to hold the reflector for you? Fear not, for Lastolite’s TriGrip Bracket is here to help! The bracket is designed to grip the moulded handle of the TriGrip reflector in the same way your hand would, with the added benefit of a securing strap to prevent the reflector being dropped. The ball-jointed arm means you can position the reflector exactly as you wish and, unlike an assistant, it won’t get tired. The TriGrip Bracket can be attached to a lighting stand, tripod or any other type of fixing bracket and comes with an extra arm that allows a battery operated flash-gun to be mounted alongside the TriGrip for even more lighting possibilities. Show me an assistant who can do all that!

 You can also use the TriGrip as a diffuser and fire your flash through it or use it as a reflector by putting on a cover on top.

Th e Lastolite TriGrip Difflector is the world’s first dual purpose reflector panel which can be used both as a diffuser and a soft silver bounce reflector. The unique fabric developed for the product allows light to pass through one side and bounce off the other side, making it a truly versatile product whatever the lighting conditions. The TriGrip Difflector also features the unique TriGrip moulded handle for accurate positioning of the reflector with just one hand. Available in three sizes Mini (45cm), Standard (75cm) and Large (1.2m).  

Reflectors are an inexpensive, lightweight & great way to use light without any complicated & technical knowledge of how to use some of the very complicated flashguns and lighting kits. Kevin Wilson is a master who uses reflector in simple lighting set ups to capture some breathtaking images. Kevin is available for 1-2-1 tuition at his studios in Dorset. Please do contact him directly if you wish to learn from one of the best. I hope you enjoyed this post and do feel free to post some images on our Facebook page .

If you would like to learn more, then you don’t want to miss the ‘Masters of Wedding’ Webinar Series. Click here for more info .

Oz Kharawala

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Tags: Kevin Wilson, Lastolite, Reflectors