Reflected light is the light that bounces off a subject rather than coming directly from a source. It determines how shadows, highlights, and textures appear in a photograph, influencing exposure and overall image mood.
Understanding reflected light is essential in portrait, product, and still-life photography, as it allows photographers to control contrast, tonal range, and depth. Tools such as reflectors, diffusers, and fill lights are often used to manipulate reflected light, ensuring that the subject is illuminated evenly or creatively according to the desired effect.