Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

How to Make a Homemade Reflector Panel for Studio Lighting

Portraiture is a genre of photography that is highly creative. Since photography is the art of light, the finest portraiture makes the best use of light. Reflectors help a photographer manipulate natural light and give studio lighting more direction. Reflectors don't have to cost a lot of money or be fancy. You can make your own inventory of reflectors for very little money.

Things You'll Need

Foam board (white)
Utility knife
Spray paint
Cardboard
Aluminum foil

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase your white foam board from an online retailer or your local craft store. You may have it cut to size or you may cut it with a utility knife. A good size to be effective for lighting is 20 x 30 inches.
- 2
  Spray paint one side of your foam board with silver metallic paint. You can leave the other side white or paint it with gold metallic paint. The light will cast different tones onto your subject depending on which side you use.
- 3
  Wrap a panel of cardboard with aluminum foil if you need something in a hurry. This reflector won't be very durable, so replace it at your earliest convenience.
- 4
  Add to your inventory of reflectors as you are able. Different surfaces and colors cast new tones and create different patterns. Learning to use reflectors will add to the overall quality of your work.

Photography