A beauty dish offers ways to elevate portrait photography through dramatic and defined illumination. Mastering this modifier unlocks fresh creative options, particularly if you've typically relied on softer lighting.
Coming to you from Neil Redfern with MagMod, this informative video walks you through three distinct shoots using the MagMod Beauty Dish XL, a modifier specifically designed for contrast-rich, striking illumination. Unlike softboxes, the Beauty Dish XL produces harsher shadows and defined textures, perfect when you want dramatic emphasis. Redfern clearly demonstrates how this modifier performs indoors by carefully positioning it above the model to achieve striking fall-off effects, highlighting facial features and creating strong depth in portraits. He stresses the importance of proximity to control light intensity, leveraging inverse square law principles to achieve desired effects.
In the outdoor segment, Redfern expands creatively, combining natural and artificial lighting to mimic sunlight and enhance background warmth. By strategically placing gels and additional flashes, he transforms an otherwise dull setting into a vibrant scene. This approach underscores the versatility and adaptability the Beauty Dish XL offers, encouraging you to experiment with multiple light sources and modifiers to achieve your artistic vision. Redfern emphasizes trying unconventional techniques once you have your primary shots, demonstrating this through creative lens filters and gels that add distinctive visual flair.
Perhaps the most practical takeaway from the video is Redfern's straightforward explanation of how grids and gels alter your results. He illustrates precisely how grids narrow and focus the light, essential in confined spaces, while gels creatively shift color tones to add dimension and interest to your images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Redfern.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
