A reflected light meter measures light arriving from the scene within its viewing angle. That includes light reflected by surfaces and light emitted by visible sources. A spot meter is a reflected meter with a narrow measurement angle.
How it differs from incident metering
A reflected reading responds to the subject’s reflectance and the lighting together. A dark wall and a pale wall under equal illumination can produce different readings. The indicated exposure is a calibrated reference, not an instruction to make every measured surface the same tone.
Practical example
From a suitable viewing position, compare a lit wall, the shadow side of a face and a bright practical. Read each area separately with a spot meter and note its difference from your chosen reference. Use that information with the production camera’s exposure tools to place the tones where you want them.
Keep the measurement selective
Confirm what fits inside the meter’s spot. A small highlight, reflection or bright background creeping into the measured area can change the result. Glossy surfaces can also read differently when the viewing angle changes. An exposure meter does not automatically tell you whether a particular camera channel will clip, so verify critical highlights and colours on the camera.
Related terms
Incident Light Meter · Luminance · Stop · Lighting Ratio
References
Sekonic: interpreting reflected readings · Sekonic: incident and 1° spot measurement