4 Modifiers I Use as a Pro for Under $100

Photography is expensive, and often, you get what you pay for. However, there are some great modifiers for your lights to be had for under $100.

In my opinion, good modifiers are totally worth the money and not something you should skimp on. A great parabolic costing over $1,000 always outperforms a cheap one. However, having $1,000 kicking about to spend on one isn't always an option. Though not every modifier has to cost the Earth to be great. Much like a 50mm lens being easy to build and therefore more affordable than other focal lengths, there are certain modifiers where you can buy the absolute best, but still be a little more friendly on your wallet. 

In this video, I talk about four modifiers that I use on almost all of my shoots for clients that are both amazing but also totally affordable, from specific reflectors right through to fingers and dabbers. I then go on to discussing when you should and should not buy modifiers used, as not all lighting modifiers age well, but some will last a lifetime of abuse. 

What are your favorite affordable modifiers Is there anything you regret going cheap on? For me, it would be an octabox that I purchased a few years ago that ended up being given away after the first use. 

Scott Choucino's picture

Food Photographer from the UK. Not at all tech savvy and knows very little about gear news and rumours.

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4 Comments

Luckily I have 3 (maybe 4?) reflectors from my grandpa I got for $0. What type of bulbs do you put in them?

Each? ;)

Top of my list of <$100 mods are Paul C Buff's PLM parabolic umbrellas. Next is the Westcott Collapsing 42" white umbrella with black backing. Both cheap, excellent, durable and versatile.

Can you please give me the Rosco # for the roll of Scrim you mentioned... ?