Softbox vs Beauty Dish vs Umbrella. Here is the REAL Difference!

Softbox vs Beauty Dish vs Umbrella. Comparing Light Modifiers!
Today we tested the difference between 3 different modifiers to see which look is best for you.
In the world of portraiture, a light is only as good as the tools used to shape it. The three most common types of modifiers used for portraits are umbrellas, softboxes, and beauty dishes. . The simplest and arguably most versatile of the three modifiers is the umbrella. Compact and lightweight, umbrellas are perfect for location work and take up next to no storage space in the studio. Another key benefit of umbrellas is their universal design. You do not need to fuss with multiple adapters to make sure your umbrella is compatible with different brands of lights. Softboxes are studio favorites and provide more options in terms of shape, size, and diffusion than umbrellas. They also feature more durable builds-although with this attribute come potentially longer setup times. If you have space in your studio, leaving your softboxes assembled solves this problem. If you work on location regularly, consider a collapsible design or rugged build that can endure being assembled and disassembled regularly. While umbrellas and softboxes are fairly flexible modifiers, beauty dishes are a more niche tool used primarily for beauty, fashion, and headshot photography. A beauty dish is essentially a reflector with a circular disc positioned a few inches directly in front of the light source.
Equipment used in this Video:
Sony A7RIV: amzn.to/2O8NmiQ
My Go to 50. Sigma : bit.ly/2SjAFkr
Best Beauty Dish On Location - amzn.to/2MFYgc6
48" Glow EZ Lock - bit.ly/2SsOEVJ
7ft Impact Umbrella - amzn.to/37sYWgb
Yellow Backdrop: amzn.to/2O9LO7P
My Main Video Camera - amzn.to/306TShs
Best Video Lens Ever - amzn.to/2n1oJFO
Best Heavy Duty Gimbal - bit.ly/2GDd5xS
Best Small Voice Recorder - amzn.to/303z22t
Best Wireless Voice Recorder - amzn.to/2tGiJq7
Lavalier Go - amzn.to/31YjJoM
GEAR FOR ON LOCATION SHOOTING:
Best Lightstand with Boom Arm - Link: amzn.to/2vPCycS
Best single heavy duty light stand - amzn.to/2MMUUUA
Stands that get the job done! - amzn.to/2lWhYoB
Portable Waterproof Pop-UP Tent - amzn.to/2wy76A8
S Type Bracket AD200 - amzn.to/2CcYhhV
Safstar C-Stand (cheapest C stand) - amzn.to/2EZot2N
The Cart Everyone Needs - amzn.to/2tLakBz
Mobile Tripod - amzn.to/2MEIyhg
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Shoots - amzn.to/2KALg6F
GEAR FOR AUDIO/VIDEO:
My Video Camera - bit.ly/2BAxkGO
Best Video Lens Ever - amzn.to/2n1oJFO
Best Wireless Voice Recorder - amzn.to/2tGiJq7
Best Mic for Voice Overs - amzn.to/2tKuUST
Cheap and Powerful Voice Recorder - amzn.to/2x118MF
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Best Gimbal I have Used - amzn.to/2N2ihJN
Ring Light for Home Vids - amzn.to/2NgitGA
Screen Calibration - amzn.to/2zabyf9
Best Monitor for Editing EVER: amzn.to/2M2VWQp
C-Stand with Boom arm - amzn.to/34tFqi3
Xplor 600pro Extension head - amzn.to/2ZX0GJm
OFF CAMERA FLASH GEAR:
Best Beauty Dish On Location - amzn.to/2MFYgc6
Strip Box Lighting - amzn.to/2MBHFWG
My New 600W TTL Light - amzn.to/2KF9xbQ
Flashpoint Xplor 600 TTL - amzn.to/2ethIJS
Flashpoint Evolv 200 - amzn.to/2tKYkA0
New Sony PRO R2 Trigger - amzn.to/2tLkwdn
Flashpoint Sony R2 Trigger - amzn.to/2eu94Lo
Flashpoint Zoom Li-On R2 Speed light - amzn.to/2vUkhuW
Best Portable LED Light - amzn.to/2T4ynX3
Flashpoint 400w R2 -amzn.to/2PyiTx2
Softboxes
7ft Impact Umbrella - amzn.to/37sYWgb
60” Softbox amzn.to/2tR8fE
48" Glow EZ Lock - bit.ly/2SsOEVJ
42" Glow EZ Lock Beauty Dish - amzn.to/2Ik6Qg9
45" Glow Wing Parabolic Umbrella - amzn.to/2HKk3RB
38" Glow EZ Lock Deep Parabolic - amzn.to/2z5rXhq
36" Glow EZ Lock - bit.ly/2CA7JQY
34" Glow EZ Lock Beauty Dish Silver- bit.ly/2DfrUUM
28" Glow Beauty Dish - amzn.to/2DQgdTg
22" Fovitec Beauty Dish - amzn.to/2XE93s
20" Glow EZ Lock Deep parabolic - amzn.to/312OQiV
60” Softbox amzn.to/2tR8fE
Vflats -amzn.to/2NMSrx6

[@itsMido2]

Yaaay more black photographers showing up on my KZbin and I'm loving it!!! 😍

[@BrandonColePhotography]

No doubt thanks for the love fam. Share if you can

[@contactpq]

Just love a model like this woman ... no two expressions are ever the same with her .. posture and poise always on point ...a very timely video for those of us that always shoot outside

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Never. Tamika has a background in drama and acting and on top of that she can work with me everyday hahah. Especially how particular I am with posing and expressions. Thank you for your feedback man much appreciated.

[@markkilby2012]

My girl needs lessons lol

[@blackreign412]

I'm a softbox and beauty dish guy, but a like the different effect of the umbrella as well. Love your videos, they always end up teaching me something I didn't expect. #respect

[@gregcorker2193]

Fantastic! Insightful explanations about how the different modifiers (and umbrella) functioned and great demonstrations of how they changed the look. The model Tameka’s range of expression was remarkable. Another great video.

[@krlmasterphysiques8027]

Man that was a quick 15 minutes!!! Great video. Your explanation of how to use the light meter was probably the best I've ever seen. Other people make it soooo complicated. Good share and awesome content as usual!!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

I appreciate that bro

[@markkilby2012]

Incredible

[@geraldgibson5961]

Great vid!!! The double diffused soft box produces the best image.

[@wesleybrake7695]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! great video. i see why you use the beauty dish on most of your shoots. imma definitely give that try now. im always using a softbox

[@thomasstewart9156]

Clearest explanation EVER! Thank you fam!

[@kjvisual7]

That 7' umbrella looks very natural. There is minimal light glare, keeping her skin tone relatively unaffected. Thanks for showing the difference.

[@ImTiffanyNicole]

I’m a model trying to take my own photos at home during this quarantine lol. Thank you for these tips! Major help.

[@mikebimages9268]

Not sure of how many people would have used the umbrella like you did, but I think that was very innovative and creative. Good Stuff Bruh!

Thank you very much Brandon. I’ve been looking for a video for months that clearly explains these differences between softboxes, umbrella and beauty dish. Thank a lot 🙏🙏🙏 !

[@BrandonColePhotography]

I appreciate that brother

[@Narsuitus]

Nice video I have used softboxes, beauty dishes, and umbrellas as light modifiers. As you demonstrated, all three work well. When I first started using a beauty dish, we called them ring lights. Personally, I do not like the catch light they leave in the subjects eyes so I do not use them that often for portraits. I do, however, love to use them for macro work. For outdoor portraits, I prefer to use a softbox because it does not catch the wind as much as an umbrella does. For indoor studio portraits, I prefer to use an umbrella because large umbrellas cost much less than a softbox of equal size.

[@charlesmoss7223]

Your videos are so informative. Your music choices are on point too. Keep it up Brother.

[@yaronharel8463]

Great video and she is gorgeoussssss

[@matthewbroussard8576]

Great video! You really took great pictures with only 1 light! Thanks for sharing!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Thx fam

[@hdrsmit]

nice comparative video ! - WB is more critical for shooting black skin tones.....did i miss it, or did you mention how you were controlling your WB ? my quick take is these are overexposed and show hot spots but maybe that's the new thing these days....i'm more into the traditional lighting styles

[@MrHeGotGame]

I'm NEW to Photography and I wanted to take the time out to Thank You for sharing your knowledge. I'm not one who will comment, but in this case I felt a need to.. Keep up the good work!

[@barbmcclane]

Thank you...whats the light meter you are using..also how do you get that single focus mode

[@JustDavidMinistries]

My favorite photographer. Thank you so much for sharing with us, Bro

[@Gman100m]

Awesome, thanks for showcasing the differences Brandon...

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Gman100m thank u!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

No problem but keep it on the down low please we can't let anyone find out

[@amirballardsr]

Great work! I’m new and I’m so happy to find another black photographer!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Much love!

[@RajanKannan11]

Excellent video. Love the model . It was really useful for me as I’m just beginning to do studio shoots in my home studio. Thank you🙏🏻 . Subscribed 👍

[@BokushingusKendoTV]

Hmmm working on an indoor still project today and I need that soft light spread. I’ll definitely try the reflect setup with the umbrella. Thanks, bro.

[@jasonbodden8816]

An umbrella is definitely a modifier lol. I was actually hoping you used that translucent umbrella as an actual shoot through in this particular video. It would have been great to see the contrast.

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Jason Bodden The umbrella and the way I used it did not modify the light in any way. We only altered the path of travel. That’s photography 1 on 1. Unless you use it in a way that MODIFIES the intensity of the light is then considered a modifier.

[@jasonbodden8816]

@@BrandonColePhotography Nonsense. We'll disagree on that for sure. Of course the umbrella modified the light, Brandon. It softened it. To modify something is to change it. When you soften light you change its properties. Regardless of how you use any modifier - of which ANY umbrella is certainly one - you MODIFY the light in some way. Regardless of how you use a shoot through, the hard light from your flash changes, also known as being modified. Anything that changes anything about the state of your flash is a modifier. Softboxes, beauty dishes and any type of photographic umbrellas, no matter how you use them, are called light modifiers because they all change the state of your light in some way. THAT, my friend, is Photography 101.

[@fredehaley7652]

So the point of that 600pro extension is basically to avoid the heavy weight on the boom, correct?

[@Rasalor]

What is the name of the color backdrop you are using and where did you get it ? Thanks

[@luisangelbuitragolondono9920]

Beautiful Color!

[@harryreno6326]

great smiles Tamika...I really needed this video Brandon, thanks

[@B.Christine_W222]

Me too!!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

That’s all it’s about helping others

[@B.Christine_W222]

Brandon Cole Photography I appreciate it bc I'm really loving studio now. And knowing I can get good images with 1 light is bomb. I can't afford all these other things right now🤗

[@frankc.9853]

What type of beauty dish is this with a sock diffuser? It looks different than what comes up with the link.

[@jusLonda]

Thank you for the comparison

[@BrandonColePhotography]

jus Londa thank u!

[@jasonarthurs2514]

i just invested in one of those 7ft umbrella cant wait for it to reach here in belize.... love ur video man.

[@TheSocialjerry]

I really appreciate this Brandon ... All three modifiers are awesome .... you did an amazing job ... btw ... where can I find the backdrop stand

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Thx yo

[@steveborders3606]

Thanks for this vid, Brandon. It reminds me to switch it up sometimes and use different modifiers!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Indeed brother. I wanna be just like you when i grow up!. Thanks brother

[@valerieherring6674]

Thank you, Brandon, and just know we appreciate all you do to educate!!!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Valerie Herring thank u !

[@Jpackardphoto]

You took some really nice photos. Beautiful model. Nice video!

[@bioliv1]

This was a joy to watch! Usually watch nature photography, but subscribed.

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Øyvind Holmstad thank u!

[@koolhand12]

Brandon, did you perform any post on these shots?

[@divinelyblessedkb]

Where do you buy your seamless backdrops from and I would love to know the size of your backdrops? Thanks in advance!

[@11557bexley]

Beautiful work

[@transparent1054]

The light looks pretty even on the BG. With a small modifier, I would think there would be a lot more light fall off. Are you lighting the BG separately Brandon?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Yes for the beauty dish I had a small light to pop the background a little. I wanted the yellow to pop with her colors, so the fall off and dark look on the background wasnt working for me

[@RodeCasterMaster]

This video looks so awesome. Does this guy do consultations?

[@Foster44x]

Love the video- super informative! Quick question are you using a second rim light on the right side of the model or is this just a one-light set up?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Dylan Foster 2 lights

[@loucoffee]

Hey Brandon another awesome video as a follower of your channel learning and studying the things that you put out in your content is very helpful question did you use the same camera settings for all three lighting conditions that you changed and also what size is the beauty dish I’m trying to get better at indoor studio work myself I am working on it please let me know thank you

[@BrandonColePhotography]

lou coffee all of the gear is in the description same settings for all

[@michaelch7529]

How did you use the Sekonic meter to trigger the Godox/Flashpoint strobe?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Michael Chong I didn’t I did it with my flash trigger

[@michaelch7529]

Brandon Cole Photography Hmmmm, ok. From the video, it looked like you used the meter to trigger the main light. So, you used the trigger the light and just used the meter to read the flash output?

[@B.Christine_W222]

Thanks for this video so on time for me!!! Do I NEED the extension head??

[@BrandonColePhotography]

B. Christine I got the extension head and never looked back. It’s so dope

[@B.Christine_W222]

Brandon Cole Photography ok I will grab it. Thanks Brandon🤗

[@ethanmorgan5366]

I love your videos, but aren't you using two light sources?

[@TheVictoryLap365]

Hey Brandon can you help me with this? So I’ve always been taught that the beauty dish should be aimed at the center of the models head using the center bounce disk as an aim. So shouldn’t I hold the light meter be held to the center of the models head as well?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Mystah Gerri I don’t because I’m not aiming at lighting the models forehead I’m lighting the face. So if u get a different reading at the forehead then lower at the face that could make a difference in your lighting. Under the chin helps account for light falloff

[@DevynFromCFXTV]

Good job on another visually stunning video. I know how much work goes into the coordination of so many independent variables, since it looks like you shot it alone. It's packed with great info 3:03 That Savage Seamless tape is the worst lol 12:31 Heads-up! I think there was a small error. You said "Remember, an umbrella is not a modifier". I think you were gonna to say "small modifier". I'm sure you were trying to complete the comparison of size to light quality for the umbrella. I understand it I think, lol What's the differences in the Xplor 600 and 600 pro?

[@tonyaalexisstudios8226]

Great job Brandon!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Tonya Alexis thank you!

[@Sharlenestudzy-more]

Thank you this video was very helpful

[@Shebshady763]

Great video brother keep working.. I use the beauty dish with a 30 or a 40° degree grid. Gives more texture too

[@BrandonColePhotography]

ShellzFilms LLC. It does. Sometimes I use the grid if I really need to focus the light other then that I don’t

[@NyreeCPhotography]

Hi, I checked for her Instagram. I didn’t find it. Is it still up?

[@nannyfit]

Thank you Brandon I want to launch my channel and yours helped me

[@framed-tales]

Great demonstration bro! Thanks!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Jibon ASM Asib I appreciate it

[@secure808]

Awesome work as usual brother.

[@andrealfred5217]

I was wondering and slightly confused....you light meter showed F4 but the data of the picture showed you shot at 1.6 timeline 6:39

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Yes when I first measured it was 1.4 but i didnt like the fall off onto the yellow. So i shot wide open for more light and to bring out the color more

[@toussaintadvertisinggroup9306]

Do you have a link for the extension head? I have the boom already.

[@PaulMatthewMusic1]

Love the channel and work man!!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

paul atr8eez thanks a lot bro

[@PaulMatthewMusic1]

@@BrandonColePhotography definitely!

[@ataylor073]

Great video guys. I’ve been around for a while BC. Your walls look empty. Lol. TR help him out. 🤣🤣🤙🏽🤙🏽😎😎😆😆

[@BrandonColePhotography]

LOL My walls are perfect hahah I hate clutter

[@NoRushwitMsRush]

Andre Taylor I’m out of it! But May have to put my stamp on it some day smh lol

[@ataylor073]

@@NoRushwitMsRush No matter what the reason is, i still rock with you guys. KEEP doing the dam thang.

[@formattester6]

killer demo!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Appreciate it!

[@GilbertTV]

great video B.. perfect as ive just opened my first studio..

[@BrandonColePhotography]

GilbertTV good stuff G let’s see those shots

[@GilbertTV]

@@BrandonColePhotography my first shoot from new studio is in my Instagram 🤗

[@danielalazar4602]

tnx man good work

[@one4allall4one91]

The only negative is the 7' umbrella. Its kind of unrealistic for most of us. It was better to compare a 36" one. But I have done some tests with the umbrella and liked the results even on a 36". I wouldn't use it outdoors tho.

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Its not necessarily unrealistic. Only if you dont have the room. Its not as big as you think but its just to show how light falls off and how soft it can be.

[@Minotaurus007]

Hi Brandon, Am I the only one? You didn't really use the beauty dish! You used a sock diffuser on the beauty dish. Therefore, your beauty dish is working like a small softbox. The comparison is small softbox vs. large softbox. Using the beauty dish without diffuser would give very different results! Beautiful model btw with nice expression. Kind regards, -Mino

[@cameratalk3057]

Great video as always boss!!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Thanks bro!

[@lorraine6185]

Would you do a video on shooting & editing for business cards? You two make a Great team!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Lorraine FreelyKirk Thank you!

[@ericwilson2632]

She spoiled because she with the best photographer in the world💝😍

[@BrandonColePhotography]

eric wilson :) much love man. Yea she gets the shots and she can be and do anything so it’s a match

[@hinzralf]

Where do the bright parts on the forehead come from?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Ralf Hinz the rim light for accent

[@subirt99]

Nice Video, Was that the 48 Parabolic softbox or normal one ?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Subir Thapa 48softbox it’s not a parabolic

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks uploader

[@eustacevictor2177]

Are you getting more light from the umbrella ?

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Eustace Victor not necessarily more light but a larger light spread which creates softer light

[@asadrasheed1672]

She is Beautiful, And you are Artist.

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Much love!

[@FJWoods007]

Nice lighting comparison. Your model made it look waaay too easy, though!

[@RodeCasterMaster]

This was a good video.

[@ProbeRoket]

Keep it up bro.

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

5 hours ago.?? Fresh out the oven and I just started watching it. HAA. My boyeeee Brandon. 🤜🏼

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Ayyeee

[@TheVictoryLap365]

I think the umbrella had the best look

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Mystah Gerri I love it

[@TheVictoryLap365]

So I’d like to get into creating KZbin content and I’ve been tryi got decide on which size soft box to get whether the 38 inch glow ez lock or the 48 inch glow ez lock I also learned that the bigger the soft box the softer the light will be so question Being focused on beauty photography and creating KZbin content for a different topic would you advise the 38 inch or the 48 inch also in the KZbin content it will be lighting two ppl at most if not all times

[@mroblige1018]

More black photographers and more black models standards size, full figured and plus sized on KZbin!!!!

[@etuoyo]

Umbrella for me

[@SamLau]

Good Stuff ! ... my fav is the softbox :-p

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Good deal!

[@uchennambah]

Bro this is cool, and you v got a beautiful woman there. Please what's the light you used here? The name

[@BrandonColePhotography]

I appreciate it. Xplor 600 pro

[@sandytorreslifelessons4155]

My brother says you look like a movie actor, bro...

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Sandy Torres Life Lessons lol

[@KomputerLuv3]

Dope bro 1000

[@nfp3880]

NIGGA!!! Is that a G-Unit jacket!?!?! Where'd you find that??? G-G-G-G-G-G-G UNIT!!!!

[@ntvlogger7064]

Bro i am big fan of yours i love your photography Please saggest me a camera body under 1500 dollar

[@BrandonColePhotography]

Depends on what you shoot

[@ntvlogger7064]

Brandon Cole Photography Bro i want for all purpose like photography portrait cinematic

[@five18audio]

Umbrella did the best

[@NoRushwitMsRush]

lol damn hun we got a dislike before the video even started?

[@NitaBPhotographyLLC]

Smh hater that's all....

[@NitaBPhotographyLLC]

Question tho when are you going to do dodge an burner videos we will pay

[@BrandonColePhotography]

NitaB Photography sometime in the future

[@Ridaz4LifeR6]

There are always gonna be haters out there Tamika! You guys compliment each other and bonus both enjoy and love photography.

[@NoRushwitMsRush]

Let them Hate!!!! In my “Coming to Americans King Jaffa Joffrey Voice lmao

[@chopworksmedia6984]

Flawlessly Fire Video. All points well considered. 🎖️🫡