Reflective effect comparison
Four types of reflectors are commonly used-white, silver, gold and black. But occasionally a soft light screen or "veil screen" is used, but in the shooting process, I have always insisted on using reflectors. The following briefly introduces the use of different types of reflectors.
White reflector
The light reflected by the white reflector is very subtle. Because its reflective performance is not very strong, its effect is soft and natural. When you need to add a little light, use this kind of reflector to fill in the details of the shadow. This situation is often used when lighting similar to window lights is used, which can make the shadows more detailed.
Silver reflector
Because the silver reflector is brighter and smooth as a mirror. It can produce brighter light. Silver reflector is the most commonly used type of reflector. The effect of this kind of reflector is easily reflected in the subject's eyes, resulting in a large and bright catch light. It is used when it is cloudy and the light is mainly coming from above the subject's head. Place it directly below the subject's face so that it is just outside the camera's field of view, reflecting the top light onto the subject's face. In cloudy light conditions, the white reflector does not have such a strong effect.
Golden reflector
Use golden reflectors to fill light in daylight conditions. Like the silver reflector, it reflects light like a smooth mirror, but in contrast to the cool silver reflector, it produces a warmer light tone. The golden reflector is more commonly used as the main light. Shoot backlit portraits in bright sunlight, and reflect the light onto the subject’s face from the side and a little higher. The use of this kind of reflector has two functions: one is to obtain the directional light that can illuminate the face of the subject, and it can also increase the exposure of the subject's face by one stop; the second is to reduce the amount of light from the background to the foreground. Exposure difference, so that the background will not be seriously overexposed.