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10 Ways a Reflector Can Change the Quality of Your Light

Using reflectors can seem self-explanatory in theory, but they have a subtle affect on your light that can be difficult to understand without hands-on experience. These 10 examples are a great way to begin noticing how your reflector changes the quality of your light.

When you swap from a white to a silver reflector, you are altering both the color and intensity of the light. To compensate, you may need to adjust your exposure slightly.

Brightness

The brightness of a 5 in 1 spotlight is determined by the size of the LED bulb. This is typically indicated by a two digit number such as MR16 or BR30. The smaller MR16 bulbs are about 2 inches in diameter and the larger BR30 bulbs are about 3 inches in diameter. They are usually rated at 5-8 Watts.

The other factor influencing brightness is the color temperature of the LED bulb. Most manufacturers provide the CCT or CRI of their product on their website or specification sheet. These values are helpful when comparing LED bulbs because a higher CRI or CRI means that the color of objects is more accurate under the spotlight.

One of the most important aspects of a spotlight is its ability to illuminate a subject. A good spotlight will highlight a subject without over-saturating it with light. The ability to shape the light can also make a significant difference in the final result. A reflector is one way to manipulate the light that comes out of a spotlight. By using a reflector to mold the light, you can fill in shadows or create highlights that would otherwise not be possible. A reflector can also be used to soften the light from a spotlight. This can be particularly useful for lighting heavy-set subjects, as it will highlight their facial features and avoid over-saturating them with light.

Color Temperature

The color temperature of a light (or Correlated Color Temperature, if you’re into lighting tech jargon) can be one of the biggest factors when it comes to setting the right atmosphere in your space. Cooler color temperatures (think 4000K and up) tend to look more blue, which can create an alert and energetic environment, perfect for schools and hospitals. Warmer color temperatures (such as 2200-2700K) are more yellow, so they work well in spaces where you want to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.

You can find the color temperature of a fixture on the Lighting Specs Label or product page. For example, our 5 in 1 spotlight has a variety of color options that can fit your needs: 2700K soft white, 3000K 5 in 1 spotlight bright white, 4000K cool white, 5000K daylight, and 6500K Daylight Deluxe.

For even more customization, consider choosing a LED with RGB + Tunable White. This allows you to mix Red, Green, Blue, and White diodes to create a custom color palette in the fixture. This makes it easy to set the mood, whether you need a more intimate space or something more active and alert. It’s also great for performance stages where traditional par cans can generate a lot of heat on performers.

Dimming

The dimming of this 5 in 1 spotlight allows you to fine-tune your lighting. It can be operated using a remote control or mobile app, so you can easily change the brightness and color temperature. This model uses a 4-watt LED bulb that emits up to 280 lumens in a tight 25deg beam. It’s as bright as a 40-watt incandescent bulb and lasts 25 times longer.

Unlike traditional bulbs, this LED bulb doesn’t produce any heat and has no mercury. It also has a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours. The dimming of this 5 in 1 spot light is controlled by a digital chip that provides smooth, stable and accurate control. The chip utilizes pulse-width modulation to produce a constant current that the LED needs for operation. This process doesn’t make the LED flicker, but it can be seen by the human eye as a slight flicker.

This dimmable LED driver is compatible with a variety of dimming systems, including Tri-Phase, MLV, and ELV, so you can choose the one that works best for your home or office. It also has knockouts, bare wire connections, and a slim design for easy installation. Additionally, this dimmable LED driver features short circuit protection, overload protection, and temperature control for worry-free operation.

Diffusion Panel

Whether you are shooting outdoors in direct sunlight, with natural light coming from an overcast sky or inside a studio with strobes or flashes, the diffusion panel Led wash lights of a 5 in 1 spotlight can help you create soft, subtle fill. In fact, a reflector is one of the most versatile tools a photographer can have in any type of lighting situation.

The most basic way to use a 5-in-1 reflector is to place it a few feet in front of your subject and shade them with the white or gold surface of the diffuser. This will bounce some of that light back onto your subject and provide a soft, subtle fill, especially with a small on-camera flash.

This same technique can also be used with the black side of a 5-in-1 reflector, which will darken and shadow your subject to bring out detail and depth in the image. This is not as common as using the silver or gold sides, but can be useful in some situations.

Many of the more advanced uses for a 5-in-1 reflector involve using the diffusing surface to modify the color or shape of the light being produced by your flashes or strobes. This can be done by adjusting the position of your light, changing the color temperature of the flash or even moving the subject. Performing these various exercises with your 5-in-1 reflector will quickly teach you how to properly use it.