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Reflector (photography)

Inphotography andcinematography,a reflector is an improvised or specialised reflective surface

used to redirectlight towards a given subject or scene.

Lamp reflectors

Similar to a domesticlampshade, these reflectors are fixed to an artificiallight source (for

example, afilamentbulb orflash tube) to direct and shape the otherwise scattered light,

reflecting it off theirconcave inner surfaces and directing it towards the scene to be

photographed. Although there are a large number of variants, the most common types are:

spherical,short-sided, giving a relatively broad spread of light; parabolic,providing a tighter,parallelbeam of light.Thereflector factor is the ratio of the illumination provided by a lamp fitted within a reflector to

the illumination provided without any reflector fitted. A matte reflector will typically have a

reflector factor of around 2, due to its more diffuse effect, while a polished or metallic-finished

reflector may have a factor of up to 6.

Board reflectors

Also known asplane reflectors, "flats" orbounce boards, this kind of reflector is located

independent of a light source; the light is reflected off its surface, either to achieve a broader

light source, or control shadows and highlights, or both. This kind of reflector generally has a

very low reflectivity factor that varies widely according to surface texture and colour. As a

result, it is most commonly used to controlcontrast in both artificial and naturallighting,in place

of afill light or "kick" light. In this case, light "spilling" from the main ambient or key light

illuminating a scene is reflected back into the scene with a varying degrees of precision and

intensity, according to the chosen reflective surface and its position relative to the scene.

Reflectors may also be used as a means of increasing the size of the main light source, which

may (or may not) retain a direct path to the scene. By positioning a board reflector close to a

light source, its effective size can be increased by "bouncing" the light off it. A very common

example of this technique is the traditional umbrella reflector, typically having a gold, silver or

matte white interior onto which a lamp fitted with a circular reflector is projected, providing a

broad, soft illumination. The lamp faces away from the scene to be photographed, allowing only

reflected light to be thrown forward.

Techniques with board reflectors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampshadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_filamenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_bulbhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_flash_lamphttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Concavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphericalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_reflectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reflector_factor&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(mathematics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounce_boardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrast_(vision)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fill_lighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fill_lighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrast_(vision)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounce_boardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(mathematics)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reflector_factor&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_reflectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphericalhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Concavehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_flash_lamphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_bulbhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_filamenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampshadehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography

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