Photography Reflector Boards

Photographic reflector boards are an easy-to-use, inexpensive solution for adding fill light, reducing stray light, and generally shaping the look of your photographic lighting. Reflector boards come in a few different sizes and styles, but the most popular variety is V-flats.

The V-flat, which is short for V-shaped reflector board, is a versatile and essential tool in photography and studio lighting. They consist of two large and rectangular boards joined at an angle, forming a V shape when viewed from above. These boards are typically made of rigid foam, foam core, or corrugated plastic.

Benefits of V-Flats

V-flats serve as both reflectors and diffusers of light. They have two sides; one white or reflective, and the other black or non-reflective. Some photographers even cover one side with silver or gold reflective material.

Because of their shape, V-flats are self-supporting so you can position them on the floor, on a table, or anywhere else you need without using a light stand or background support. They may be large, but they’re also lightweight, making them easy to handle and store.

How to Use V-Flat Reflector Boards

The white side of a V-flat serves as an excellent bounce board to reflect light onto the subject. By positioning the V-flat opposite a light source, you can bounce and diffuse the light onto your subject to create soft, flattering, and even illumination.

The black side of a V-flat absorbs or blocks light. You can use it to create shadows, add contrast, or reduce unwanted reflections or highlights in a scene. This is often referred to as creating negative fill. It’s especially useful in product photography and controlling light in studio setups.

Other Types of Reflector Boards

While V-flats have many uses, many photographers prefer metallic reflector boards instead. They’re often covered in silver or gold fabric, and they add cool or warm fill light to your subject. Because they’re made of fabric stretched on a frame, metallic reflector boards are collapsible for easy and compact storage.

Reflector Boards as Backgrounds

When positioned behind a subject, V-flats and other white or black reflector boards serve as a large, uniform background surface. This provides a seamless backdrop for portraits or product photography. By adjusting the distance between the subject and the reflector board, you can control the background's brightness and shadows.

Shape Your Lighting With Reflector Boards

V-flats and reflector boards by brands like V-FLAT WORLD, Matthews, LightBridge, and Adorama offer photographers all the flexibility they need to achieve any lighting look on set. Look for these names when you shop for reflector boards.