12 Simple Ways to Bounce Light and Capture Better Portraits

Bounced light has always been an important component of lighting, especially in portraiture. It gives a little more illumination to the subject and eliminates or lightens unwanted shadows. While some may come up with different ways to bounce light, truthfully, there is only one real way to bounce light and that is with a reflective surface. However, there are different techniques you can use and these variations are all based on the direction, material, color, and even angle of the object or surface used to bounce the light. The effects and techniques are different but they all aid the photographer to achieve better portraits.

Here are 12 different ways to bounce light to get better portrait shots whether you're using natural or artificial light.

1. Bounce Light From a Portable Reflector

Using a portable reflector is probably the most basic form of bouncing light common to portrait photographers. While your main light source is hitting one side of your subject, you can position the reflector on the opposite side of the main light and illuminate the opposite of the face. This eliminates a little bit of unwanted shadows, making your portrait a little less textured and not too edgy. You should check out the 5-in-1 reflector kit.

Photo by Peter McConnochie

2. Use Different Reflector Sizes

Size matters when it comes to reflectors since different surface areas affect the hardness and softness of light. Using a larger reflector means softer light. Smaller ones do the opposite although it’s still much softer than the original, direct light source.

3. Multiple Reflectors for Group Portraits

Instead of using just one big reflector, try adding a few smaller reflectors to create a more uniquely-illuminated group portrait. If a single reflector cannot create the lighting effect you want for a group of 4 or 5 people, try using smaller reflectors for individuals you want more light on. Although you may need more hands to hold all the reflectors, it might eventually result in better lighting.

4. Bounce Light Using a White or Light Gray Wall

One of the best sources of reflected light are large white solid objects since they bounce back a whole lot of soft light and cover a large area. White walls act like over-sized reflectors. Place your subject(s) beside or near a white wall with the sunlight bouncing off it to create that soft fill light effect.

Photo by Joel Devereux

 5. White Floors or Water

It’s not just white walls that can add a beautiful fill light to portraits, you can also use white flooring to bounce light. This lightens the areas under the eyes, nose and chin, especially when light is coming from above. You can also use bodies of water as an alternative. That’s one reason why beach shots look so stunning.

6. Ceiling Bounce

When you don’t have the luxury of time to setup your hotshoe flash off-cam and you’re at an event shooting portraits, you can always bounce its light off the ceiling. Allowing light to hit the ceiling and bounce downward, creates a better effect than direct light from the front. Not only does it prevent red-eye, it also avoids the mug-shot look that direct, frontal light creates. You just have to make sure the ceiling is light colored, preferably white or very light gray. It shouldn’t be too high either since the distance of the ceiling from the main light source affects illumination.

7. White Rooms

Don’t just limit yourself to choosing between white ceilings, walls, or floors. Why don’t you try them all. Find a room that has exactly all three and photograph there. This helps when you don't have a lot of light sources but want more punch in terms of light. A little amount of light maybe from a window or strobe in a room where everything is white does wonders. Now you know why some portrait studios have this as a setup.

Photo by Robert Bejil

8. Use a Bounce Card 

Some flash units have built-in bounce cards that you can use to diffuse light. It’s really just a small white card that works similar to bouncing off the light off the ceiling except that its placed right on your hot shoe flash. This is quite effective to use and better than directly using your flash on your subject in times when you don’t have the luxury of getting your hot shoe flash off the camera, and where you don’t have a white ceiling or when the ceiling is too high. Those without the card can make their own DIY versions.

9. Bounce Strong Back Light as Fill Light

We all love the rimlighting effect which creates an outline of our subjects using the back light. If there is no other light source with you to illuminate the face, it’s a good option to bounce back the same light as fill light. You can do this by shooting with the wall behind your back, essentially with the wall in front of the subject, or by using a reflector. Bouncing back the light will also help you show the details in the background better. This avoids silhouettes or blown out highlights when you choose to properly expose the backlit face.

10. Bouncing Light on Colored Surfaces

It’s always suggested to use white or light gray to bounce back light, simply because these are neutral colors. If you want to add a little flair, then go the colored way. Try using a pink colored board or wall and you’ll reflect a pink tone back to your subject. This works with colored light diffusers as well.

11. Bounce Light on Golden or Other Metallic Surfaces

Golden surfaces are excellent for creating a natural warm look. You can add a sunset like fill light with it. There are available 5-in-1 reflectors you can purchase from photography stores where gold and silver sides are available. Silver ones produce a cooler tone and excellent for those who want a little more punch without the warm tone.

Photo by John Morgan

12. Bounce Light From a Prop

Most reflectors are used mainly as an aid to assist in giving light. They are usually not part of the frame. But there others that you can use as part of the frame. It doubles as a lighting accessory at the same time an element of your image. An opened book under the face, leaning on a white counter-top, sitting on the floor, and leaning against a white wall – these are just some examples.

Further Resources on Bouncing and Reflecting Light:


About the author

Karlo de Leon

Karlo de Leon is a travel and lifestyle photographer. He has a knack for understanding how and why things work, taking particular interest in lighting, composition, and visual storytelling. Connect with him on Twitter where he shares his insights, ideas, and concepts on photography, travel, and life in general.


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