Best Light Modifiers For Portraits

I can use a medium sized softbox to shoot a great portrait or even a full length shot with just a little light falloff from the shins to the feet.

Best light modifiers for portraits.

Shot as an example in the studio. Here s a typical setup i use with this modifier and the resulting photo. Another great thing about grids is the fact that they are compatible with many other light modifiers such as beauty dishes and soft boxes. Mastering portrait photography with one light source will allow you to work faster and in many more situations than relying upon one multiple light for all y.

Using a grid can lead to beautiful portraits because it allows a photographer to illuminate the subject with the full power of light source while keeping the background dim. Being four feet in size it s super soft in close. Lighting in the simplest possible terms is all about main light and fill light. As the softness of the light depends on the relative size on the modifier to the subject close means softer and farther away the light gets harder.

In conclusion there s no right or wrong choice of light modifier they re just all different and the best choice for you depends on what you re hoping to achieve in your portrait. The sun almost always the main light source outdoors acts like a spotlight when high overhead like a portrait light from 45 degrees up and off axis like a hair light from behind and above the subjects or low and warm colored at sunset. One of the key points of the 3ft octabox that daniel covers pretty early on in the video is that it can simulate the look of various other popular light modifiers. Craig beckta 6 years ago when it comes to shooting fashion portraits if you are like many photographers you most likely struggle with the decision of whether to use a soft light source such as a softbox or a slightly harsher light source such as a beauty dish.