What is the term for the reflected illumination of an object?

The term for the reflected illumination of an object is known as indirect lighting. This type of lighting occurs when light bounces off a surface and illuminates an object indirectly, rather than coming directly from a light source. It is vital in creating a soft, diffuse light that reduces harsh shadows and creates an overall pleasing atmosphere.

Indirect lighting is often used in various fields, such as photography, interior design, and stage lighting, to enhance the visibility of objects without the intensity of direct light. By reflecting off walls or ceilings, it fills in spaces with light more uniformly, producing a comfortable illumination that can be very effective in both artistic and functional settings.

While the other options—artificial lighting, ambient lighting, and natural lighting—can also play roles in illumination, they do not specifically pertain to the characteristic of light reflecting off surfaces to illuminate objects indirectly, which is the defining aspect of indirect lighting.