"Brightening It Up" with Reflector Disk

A reflector disk is a simple yet powerful tool used in photography and videography to control and shape light. It works by bouncing existing light—whether natural sunlight or artificial illumination—onto your subject, reducing shadows and creating a more balanced exposure. 

Click Here to View the Reflector Disk in Action

  

Avoiding taking photographs or shooting video into the sunlight can be difficult. This can shut down the camera's iris and make a person's face look darker than is desirable. 

Here is Jalen Gasque's "before" photo. 

Here is Jalen Gasque's "after" photo.

After the reflector disk is deployed, the lighthing on the subject has improved.

Here we see the choreography of where the video camera and disc are positioned. 

Summer Gray holds the large disc so that it captures the direct sunlight and bounces it into Jalen's face. RJ Steadman stands behind the camera to mock a news broadcast.

Reflected light can be extremely bright—sometimes even blinding—so you should avoid placing it directly behind the camera. Instead, position it slightly off to the side. 

This placement helps illuminate one side of the subject’s face, creating a more flattering and visually appealing look.

Here is another angle showing where the key players in this production are positioned. 

Reflector discs, like the one held by Summer Gray, folds down to the size of frisbee and fits in a carry bag. It's a vital tool to have among a video producer's cameras, microphones and lights. 

What I learned from completing this project is how to use a reflection disk to reduce sunlight behind a report to illuminate their face.