Available light portraits can often be enhanced by the use of a reflector.
Three-point lighting is an often misunderstood concept. The under-equipped novice photographer can be discouraged with the thought that she doesn't have three lights, and therefore effective portraiture is out of reach. However, three-point lighting can be achieved with window light providing key, background and fill lighting with some creativity and care taken by the photographer. A north window is ideal during daylight hours to provide soft-diffused main light to a portrait subject, while giving enough general room illumination to separate the background from the subject. Placement, distance and surface of a homemade fill reflector complete the three-point setup.
Instructions
1. Glue the bristol board to the cardboard for support. If you are able to obtain white cardboard this step can be skipped. Ideally your finished surface should be clean white without excess gloss, for the purpose of reflecting window or other main light onto the side of the subject's face away from the main light.
2. Improvise a support for the reflector using tape to fasten. This can be a lighting stand, a music or microphone stand or even an assistant holding the reflector. Adjust the position of the reflector to direct light onto the subject. Lighting ratio can be controlled by distance between subject and reflector. When using low, brighter, ratios, be careful to keep the reflector out of the edge of the frame.
3. Add aluminum foil to the reverse side of your reflector to create a different effect. The shiny surface gives a different quality to the reflected light which may be useful in some situations. Foil will bounce more light onto your subject, but it will not be as smooth and even.
