Understanding the right light modifier to use during a photo op is sometimes the difference between getting the image you have in your head and spending that extra couple of minutes in post trying to fine-tune the light and feel of your image. Being that there are so many modifiers (and they all cost money), it’s a little difficult navigating that world and knowing which is for what.
The most common modifiers are softboxes and even those are divided into different types (stripe, octagonal, parabolic, rectangular, etc…). Just under softboxes are the ‘less‘ expensive alternative; Umbrellas and Beauty Dishes.
Both of these are great for headshots and portraits, with both offering different but unique light cast on the subject of the image. Beauty Dishes tend to shed a more punchy light cast on the subject whilst umbrellas offer a softer, wrap-around effect on the subject of the photograph. For Editorial, creative purposes, most photographers will shoot with a beauty dish because it makes the subject stand out whilst many will opt for umbrellas when shooting corporate headshots and passport photographs.
The Adorama Learning team further explain the differences between the two light modifiers in the video below:
