Reflected Light: The Basics Every Photographer Needs to Know

In the world of photography, light is always considered the decisive factor in the quality and appeal of a picture. Photography is not simply about recording what the eyes see, but also the art of controlling light, turning light into a language to convey emotions, ideas and stories. One of the fundamental but also very important knowledge in mastering light is understanding and applying reflected light.

Reflected light not only exists in nature but can also be created and controlled by the photographer through the use of surfaces, materials, or supporting equipment such as reflectors, diffusers or softboxes. This is especially important when shooting portraits, product photography, landscape photography or even in highly creative art projects.

Understanding the mechanism of light reflection and knowing how to use it will help photographers control images better, avoiding common mistakes such as harsh shadows, overexposed or overexposed areas. This article will take you deeper into the concept of reflected light, why it is important, common types of reflection, and necessary notes for effective application in practical photography.

1. Understand a little about reflected light

For photography in general and product photography in particular, understanding and understanding reflected light is extremely important. Because each different material will have different reflective properties and the way they reflect light will directly affect the final image. A photo can become sparkling, soft and full of life or on the contrary, rough and unattractive just because the way the reflected light is well controlled or not.

Reflected light is simply understood as the part of light from the main source that shines on a certain surface, then is reflected and illuminates the subject. The most obvious example is when sunlight shines on a white painted wall, that light is reflected and helps to brighten a room. In photography, people take advantage of this mechanism to supplement or soften the light falling on the subject.

One thing to note is that reflected light is not uniform. It depends on many factors such as surface type, roughness, color and angle of illumination. A smooth surface like a mirror will reflect directly, while a rough surface like paper will create diffuse reflection, making the light spread more softly. If you understand these mechanisms, you can completely control the image as you want: create a brilliant product, highlight the lines of a portrait or bring a natural, close feeling to the scene.

Therefore, to master reflected light, you need to have knowledge about the types of light, how to create them as well as how reflected light interacts with each material in the frame. Only when you have a firm grasp of these factors, can you create the desired lighting effect instead of letting "natural" light decide the entire photo.

2. Reasons why reflected light is effective

2.1. Additional light source

Reflected light is often referred to as a free fill light. When sunlight hits a white wall, it creates a second light source, illuminating the subject from a different direction. This helps to create a more balanced and dynamic image. If you only have direct light, the subject will be too dark in some areas or the light will be too harsh. Reflected light adds brightness and balance, minimizing harsh shadows.

In many situations, especially when shooting outdoors, light reflected from the ground, a wall, or even a light-colored shirt can be an important factor in making a photo look more natural and professional. Professional photographers often do not miss the opportunity to take advantage of this additional light source to add depth to the photo.

2.2. Additional lighting

Without reflected light, most subjects in the photo are likely to be dark, especially when there is a strong light source from behind. In this case, reflected light plays a complementary role, balancing the light between the bright and dark areas. This is extremely important when taking product photos because it helps to highlight details and avoid overexposing or underexposing, ensuring the photo achieves the best light balance.

2.3. Diffuse light

A big advantage of reflected light is its ability to diffuse. When light hits a rough surface like paper or fabric, it scatters in many directions. This makes the light softer and more even, avoiding harsh shadows. In portrait photography, diffused light helps smooth skin, reduces blemishes, and creates a natural, comfortable feel.

For this reason, in the studio, people often use light diffusion tools such as softboxes or diffusers. Their nature is also to create diffused reflected light to make the light softer and smoother.

2.4. Larger light source

When a large surface reflects light, the area of ​​the light source is also expanded. In photography, the general rule is that the larger the light source in relation to the subject, the softer and more gentle the light. Therefore, when using a large wall or large reflector to reflect light, you are creating a giant light source that shines down on the subject. The result is a much softer, softer, and more pleasant light area in the photo. This is the secret to many photographers creating highly artistic portraits with natural, soft light.

3. Types of reflected light

3.1. Direct reflection

Direct reflection is when light is reflected back at an angle equal to the angle of incidence, like the image you see in a mirror. This is the most basic and recognizable form of reflection. For example, when sunlight hits a mirror, the light is directly reflected at a specific angle, and only certain locations can see the reflection of the sun.

In photography, direct reflections often occur when you work with smooth, shiny surfaces such as metal, mirrors, still water, or glass. If used properly, direct reflections can create unique, artistic images. However, if left unchecked, they can also cause unpleasant glare or flare.

3.2. Diffuse reflection

Diffuse reflection occurs when light hits a rough surface like paper, fabric, or a matte painted wall. Instead of reflecting at a single angle, the light is scattered in many directions, creating a soft, even lighting effect.

This is the principle of operation of lighting support equipment in the studio. Tools such as softbox, diffuser or reflector card are designed to create diffuse reflection, helping light spread more evenly on the subject. The result is a harmonious photo, with few defects and high naturalness.

In product photography, diffuse reflection is an indispensable element to ensure that the product is reproduced realistically, without glare or harsh shadows. In portrait photography, it helps smooth skin, reduce blemishes and bring a gentle, pleasant feeling to the viewer.

3.3. Flare

Flare is a phenomenon where light reflects inside the camera lens, creating streaks of light or reducing the contrast of the image. Flare usually appears when you shoot directly into a strong light source such as the sun or a high-power lamp.

There are two main types of flare: one is a clear flash with many rays of light extending from the light source, the other is the haze phenomenon that makes the image blurry, reducing clarity. To limit flare, photographers often use a lens hood, which is a sunshade attached to the front of the lens. The lens hood helps prevent unwanted light rays from entering the lens, thereby minimizing flare and keeping the image brighter and clearer.

However, flare is sometimes used as an artistic effect. Many photographers deliberately exploit flare to create a strong emotional image, bringing a sense of nostalgia or warmth. Using flare properly requires sophistication and high technique to avoid turning the image into a technical failure.

4. Two notes when applying reflected light in portrait photography

4.1. Direction of reflected light

In portraiture, the direction of reflected light is extremely important. Light reflected from below the face is often unflattering, as it highlights areas under the chin, nose, or eyes in an unnatural way. However, when used intentionally, such as in a clamshell lighting setup, underlighting can help soften shadows, reduce shadows, and create a more balanced look.

Therefore, the photographer needs to master the technique of directing reflected light to ensure that the light supports rather than disrupts the composition. A slight change in the direction of the reflection can also determine the success or failure of the portrait.

4.2. Color of reflective surface

Reflected light always takes on the color of the surface it reflects off. For example, if you reflect light from a green surface, it will cast a green cast on your subject. This can cause undesirable situations, such as when photographing a green lawn in the sun, the reflected light will make your subject's skin look pale and lifeless.

In this case, the photographer needs to handle it in post-production or choose a more suitable reflective surface, such as a white or silver reflector, to ensure neutral light. The color of the reflected light is an element that many beginners often ignore, leading to the photo losing its authenticity or causing difficulties in post-production editing.

5. Conclusion

Reflected light is one of the most important elements in photography, especially when you want to have complete control over the quality of light in your photos. Understanding the mechanism of light reflection, from direct reflection, diffusion to special phenomena such as flare, helps photographers not only handle real-life situations well but also be more creative in using light as an artistic language.

Reflected light can act as a fill light, balancing out the highlights and shadows, making the light softer and more even, and opening up endless creative possibilities. However, to use it effectively, you need to pay attention to the direction of the light and the color of the reflecting surface. These are factors that can transform a photo from ordinary to extraordinary or vice versa.

As you study and practice, observe how light reflects in nature and experiment with different surfaces and situations. Only through real experience will you feel the power of reflected light and turn it into a powerful tool in your creative journey.