Studio Lighting Tutorial: The Battle of the Hard Lights! 7' Grid Reflector v. Paraboloic v. Fresnel

[@lim2001burger]

I love the impact of the lights on the subject in setup #1, but I really like the absence of shadows in setup #2

[@JohnGress]

Thanks. Good perspective.

[@jakobjohannsson1045]

#2 for me and so much so I have ordered a Parabolix 35D!

[@JohnGress]

Oh that’s great. 🙌🏼 Here’s another video about that modifier. Hard light shootout: Parabolic vs. beauty dishes for headshots

[@bobsykes]

For me, #2, the focused parabolic reflector is my favorite. The other two examples have shadows that I find distracting and unnatural, even though the light on subject's face looks fantastic in all three shots. In fact, in all of your strobe lit portrait videos, parabolic and beauty dish modifiers consistently produce photos that I prefer most, although I don't know enough about this to know why!

[@JohnGress]

Oh interesting! Maybe it’s just having the right balance between hard and soft light. Not too much light bouncing around and filling in the shadows and not too little light filling in the shadows.

[@alsteiner7602]

Ohmigoodness these are phenomenal

[@ShirtlessMenNetwork]

All three are great looks, but I'm partial to the first one because it has a nice 60s vibe in the overall light quality. Several sources that look bare-bulb in their hardness, but well controlled with the reflectors and grids, which also oddly adds a faint whisper of even older Hollywood glam that really makes it stand out among the series. As usual, this is a great video, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Now, to hop on over to another tab to order an extra set of grids, since I only have one of each angle of spread and have been wondering if I should have at least two of each. You helped me finally decide. :)

[@JohnGress]

Thanks LJ. Sorry I did some damage on your cc 😁

[@sburgos9621]

For the first photo I find if I cover up the bright parts in the background shadows around the neckline area it makes the shadows much less distracting. It makes the lighted shape in the middle stand out and draws attention back to the center of the photo. Wondering what it would look like if you burned those areas. The lighting in the second shot is the most pleasing to the eye and the fresnel one I feel like I would try and use for something less fashion and more experimental.

[@petemcknight803]

This winter I’m hoping you pull out those old school fresnels to do a video comparison with 😜

[@JohnGress]

That could work! Fresnel v Fresnel!

[@andrewthompson5609]

#3 for sure. I love the look of a Fresnel

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@RemiManWithVan]

All good for different purposes. Thanks sharing this

[@JohnGress]

That is very sensible. Thank you so much!

[@kaiwalyarangari1755]

For me, 2-3 are best just loved them!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@TheMrsamuelcm76]

Love the Fresnel is my favorite thinking of doing some hard light work myself.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Samuel!

[@keaphotoscom]

I have three fresnel hot lights that I love using for that old movie look.

[@JohnGress]

Cool! I hope you only use them in winter! 🤣 Being an actor back in the day must have been hot hot hot! 🔥 I just did a black and white headshot for the academy with the fresnel, you’ll have to let me know if it looks like it’s supposed to look. 😁

[@spellbluestudios1925]

3rd one sir I loved it

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!😊

[@darrelltheriault5793]

I find it difficult to say which is my favourite, I believe they all have a place. As I looked at each of them , I found myself saying… “Oh, I like that.”

[@JohnGress]

Thanks man! I really appreciate it.

[@VIDDTHEDESIGNER]

1 would be my favorite if you had another two background lights taking off the shadows but overall I like the second with the Parabolic.

[@memandei]

One day I will study your workshop in NY. I believe

[@JohnGress]

That would be great! If you sign up for my mailing list at johngress.com/workshops/ I’ll keep you updated on the schedule.

[@TheSunnySuttons]

If they were all at the same distance, would the Fresnel head offer more light output at maximum focus than the 7" reflector?

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@MarkAKathurima]

Very difficult to pick a favorite here. All 3 were great. I will be trying 1 and 2 on my next shoot for sure.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much Mark!

[@mindcave]

Hardboxes are another brilliant hard light option, the crispiest light of all!!

[@JohnGress]

I used to have one of those, but there is no more Profoto at my house, I guess I could always make one out of a black pipe.

[@digitalArtform]

John, do you think a deep grid could simulate a parabola or fresnel? You’d lose a lot of light from it, but the rays that survive would be pretty close to parallel with each other.

[@JohnGress]

A grid on a 7” /18cm grid reflector could be similar at the right distance.

[@renebinder8888]

my favorite is number 3 with the Fresnel

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I think that is my fav too.

[@claudiamartinez9652]

I like 2 and 3. They are very different.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@manoharmgr8235]

SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST VIDEOS நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR- INDIA,* CHENNAI

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! நான் மிகவும் பாராட்டுகிறேன்!

[@teflonhav]

2 or 3 for me.

[@Justas49]

#1 not as sophisticated, but still good.

[@lighthousephoto7143]

The 7 inch punches well above it's weight

[@francisenaje]

what white reflector are you using?

[@JohnGress]

Do you mean this one? Parabolix 35D (89cm) Adorama howl.me/cjGcyRNoDIE

[@kennethcheong4498]

Frenel looked best because it was the hardest look IMO.😊

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@mikaelpersson2525]

Number 3

[@JohnGress]

🙌🏼 mine too. I think.