An apparatus and methods that includes a gel holder and an optional shade holder that allows a user to add color or eliminate or reduce reflected color and to shape, shade, diffuse, soften, absorb, block, reflect, retract and dim light inside photographic reflectors such as photographic umbrellas or other reflective apparatus. The invention allows a user to mix, blend or shape light at the source and the resulting light can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The invention allows a user to more efficiently add texture, eliminate hotspots and create shadows by changing positions of a gel holder with a gel and one or more shade holders with shades on a reflector focus tube.