A gold reflector was used on this image of New York based model Sheri, to add some warmth on an otherwise dull day.

When you want to eliminate shadows from a scene, particularly those caused by hard sunlight, or when you want to direct just a little more light onto a subject, reach for a reflector. Reflectors come in all shapes and sizes to fit all sorts of budgets, from large ones that require a stand to mount to small ones that can be held in one hand. There are a variety of different surfaces available, with white, silver and gold being the most common. A particularly handy option is a collapsible 5-in-1 reflector that folds up and easily fits into most camera bags.

A reflector is simply anything that can reflect light towards your subject. While commercially available models are the most durable and useful, anything that can bounce light can be used as a reflector. A sheet of paper or cardboard makes an adequate reflector – I’ve even used a cocktail napkin in a bar as a reflector. Not having the budget or the need to buy one doesn’t mean that you can’t use a DIY version.

As mentioned above, a collapsible 5-in-1 reflector offers the best bang for your buck. They contain a diffusion panel which can be used by itself to offer diffused light, and they also have a reversible cover that can be white, silver, gold or black. Lately I’ve been using a newer type, the Lastolite Tri-grip that is a kind of round-triangle shape, and has a sturdy handle that can be either held in one outstretched hand or clamped to some kind of support.

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