see also:

• photographic lighting basics
• flash modifiers

• lighting reflectors and diffusers are an important accessory for the portrait photographer in particular as they can soften harsh light such as sunlight using a diffuser, or provide a fill-in light to reduce contrast, or as a black flag to block light and increase contrast
• reflectors come in a variety of surfaces:
  • white
    • perhaps the most popular to provide a soft fill-in, great for bouncing harsh light sources such as sun or flash
  • silver
    • more punchier contrast than white, and popular for overcast conditions
  • gold
    • provides warmer tones to skin but can be hard to use well as it can create less than flattering yellow shadow fill-in around eyes, etc.
  • black
    • used to block light and thus decrease fill-in light and increase contrast
  • silver-white or “soft silver”
    • provides a half-way fill between white and silver
  • gold-silver or “sunlite”
    • provides a half-way fill between gold and silver
• diffusers come in different strengths such as 1 stop or 2 stop

• most are circular foldable models and a multitude of manufacturers, so not included here as there are so many

• various versions including 18“, 30” and 40“, with the most popular being 30”
• are triangular and have a very useful hand grip for one handed holding or for mounting on a light stand +/- bounce flash for active lighting
• the base units tend to only have 2 reflector surface types and no diffuser
• Lastolite Professional Triflips 8:1 Deluxe Kit
  • includes:
    • 30“ TriGrip 2 stop diffuser
    • set of TriFlip covers containing 7 different surface:
      • white, silver, softsilver, gold, sunlite and sunfire reflective surfaces plus black
    • air cushioned light stand to 3m high
    • TriGrip bracket including bracket for bounce flash
    • carry case with shoulder strap
    • $AU485
  • NikonJin review

• large modular frame which needs assembly but does give a nice large surface - great for full length body shots in studios sizes include 42”x42“, 42” x 71“, 71” x 71“ and 98” x 98“
• diffuser material available in 1/4, 3/4, 1, 1 1/4, and 1 1/2 stop
• silver and a white panel
• 3.5' long carry case for the 42” x 72“ rectangular kit
• ~$US299
• optional light stand clamp
• over 35 optional materials including net diffusers and chroma green/blue reversible backdrops
• http://www.fjwestcott.com/light-controls/scrim-jim
• http://jointhebreed.com/reviews/reflector-review-lastolite-trigrip-vs-scrim-jim-westcott/

• designed by Australian photographer Jerry Ghionis
• large 38” x 45“ collapsible rectangular model with a unique removable 2:3 ratio cut out central rectangle through which one shoots to simulate a beauty dish / ring light quality
• great for working with a single backlit light source such as setting sun or flash
• can also act as a 1 stop diffuser on a window (has suction cups)
• folds to 14” / 36cm
• http://www.fjwestcott.com/omega-reflector-kit

• curved rectangular mounted reflector for lighting eyes and giving lovely catchlights
• http://www.fjwestcott.com/eyelighter