How much light does a reflector return?

It depends on the surface. Silver reflectors return about 90% of incident light. White returns 80%. Gold returns 85% with a warm tone. Translucent diffusers pass about 50% through. The actual light reaching the subject also depends on distance (inverse square law) and reflector size.

What colour reflector should I use?

White for neutral, soft fill — most versatile and natural-looking. Silver for maximum output and slight contrast boost. Gold for warm tones (sunset look, warm skin tones). Soft gold (gold/silver mix) for subtle warmth without being too orange. Black to subtract light and add contrast.

How close should the reflector be?

As close as possible without entering the frame. A reflector at 1m returns 4x more light than at 2m (inverse square law). For portraits, position the reflector just out of frame below the face to fill under-chin shadows. The closer it is, the softer and stronger the fill.

Can a reflector be too bright?

Yes. A large silver reflector in direct sunlight can produce light almost as strong as the sun itself, causing squinting and unflattering harsh fill. White is generally safer for close-up portrait work. Angle the reflector to control intensity — you do not need to aim it directly at the subject.

PhotoCalcs

Reflector Calculator — Reflected Light Intensity

Estimate reflected light intensity based on reflector type, distance and size.

Reflector Type

Surface material

Reflector-to-Subject Distance

Reflector to subject

Reflector Size

Reflector diameter

Incident Light

Light hitting reflector

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates reflected light based on reflector properties:

Reflected Intensity

Reflected = incident light x reflectance

Reflection Loss

Stops lost = -log2(reflectance)

Silver loses about 0.15 stops, white about 0.32 stops, gold about 0.23 stops. The reflected light then follows the inverse square law from the reflector to the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard optical and photographic formulas. Results may vary with specific equipment.