Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What characteristic does parabolic reflector shape provide to a light source?

1. It diffuses the light

2. It scatters the light

3. It concentrates the light

4. It reflects the light

The correct answer is: It concentrates the light

A parabolic reflector shape is specifically designed to concentrate light. This characteristic arises from the geometric properties of a parabola; when light rays emanate from the focus of the parabola and hit the reflective surface, they are directed outward in parallel beams. This means that instead of spreading in different directions, the light is focused into a strong, concentrated beam, making this shape particularly effective for creating directed lighting. The design of the parabolic reflector is fundamental in various lighting applications, including photography, where focused lighting is essential for achieving precise exposure and detail in images. While this reflector does have reflective properties, its primary attribute in the context of lighting sources is its ability to concentrate the light efficiently.