The Flexibility of Fresnel Lenses: Beautiful Lighting for Photography and Cinematography

[@clissonplage]

Great for explaining Fresnel Lenses

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you liked it

[@TaavP]

I love those lenses. For trivia, the lighthouse in Sagres (cabo de São Vicente) has 3 giant Fresnel lenses that take months to clean properly. Produces 3 rotating beams separated by 5s each. I wouldn't say they are revolutionary since they are around for ages in photography. One of my fav photos I took was a fashion photography with one of these

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I'd love to see that Lighthouse! No of course we meant revolutionary at the time.

[@TaavP]

@@VisualEducationStudio yes 😁 if you want to come and see the lighthouse in person, I can arrange your stay eheh the lighthouse is super nice also because of the nature surrounding it (search if you haven't already 😊)

[@VisualEducationStudio]

This one: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Cabo_de_S%C3%A3o_Vicente

[@TheCoolProfessor]

Your video has earned my rarest rating: Helpful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Jwitherow1964]

Mr. Taylor your the absolute authority in photography lighting

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind thank you.

[@2011troya]

Never really knew how to use these. Thanks so much for this

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Welcome!

[@gonvonzola]

Great vid. What‘s the manufacturer of the mini version again pls?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi, thanks. They were broncolor.

[@jonathanosbaldiston9282]

Very useful video - many thanks🙂

[@josephchan4198]

Thanks for sharing.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Our pleasure!

[@kalyanweddings]

thank you for explaining Fresnel Lenses

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@Nypics]

Thanks for a great review of the fresnel - especially interesting that the wider flood position produces a cleaner harder shadow! As the saying goes- 'Everything old is new again' - classic movie lighting fixtures for many years - making their presence felt in the still world. I think still shooters can learn a LOT from studying cinematography lighting - and the increasing use of powerful and affordable LED constant lighting is introducing many still shooters to some of these concepts.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks and yes absolutely

[@kes_____]

I have a question about light softness when it’s reflected or bounced. When the Fresnel beam is set to its narrowest position, the shadows are as soft as they can be. What happens when the light is bounced if the goal is to achieve the softest light possible? Assume the distance between the light source and the reflective surface stays the same. Is the narrowest beam still the best choice? In my mind, a wider beam would cover a larger area on the reflective surface, creating softer shadows. Is that correct, or am I wrong?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi, the spot of light from the fresnel has a shadow which has a good gradient at the edge transition from the light to the shadow but this has nothing to do with 'soft light' the Fresnel is a hard light no matter whether it is on flood or spot. Actual soft light can only come from a very large light source or a light source that is relatively large from the subjects point of view.

[@kes_____]

@@VisualEducationStudio yeah, been curious if it make a difference to softening the shadows when spotted and bounced. But I guess physics are physics

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Bounced will produce a softer light if the surface you are bouncing the light off is a bigger surface than the light itself. But other than the fact that the fresnel keeps the majority of the light going to a point then you could use almost any directional light to bounce off of a surface. If you'd like to see what fresnels look like when lighting a model/person directly then head to this link and play with our free comparison tool: visualeducation.com/lighting-comparison-tool/

[@lsdst]

Fantastic

[@6r4metroman]

I have a Fresnel lens, it is one of the best mood modifiers I have, just love the feel it gives to images...

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes I agree!

[@Arsenjev_Kirill]

You just not see - the Normal fresnel lens light And all of these modifiers is Sux :(

[@RalfWeyer]

Thank you so much for that explanation and showing the difference between the different positions, never thought about the hardness of the shadows being basically reversed compared to other light modifiers. I have to say I absolutely love the results from the Fresnel light modifiers you showed, the light looks very interesting and flattering at the same time, and still has this kind of bite to it (positively). Unfortunately these are quite expensive as you mentioned yourself, but great modifiers nevertheless.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you.

[@justinoff1]

I really dislike the falloff of an LED compared to a proper lamp. I'll take a flash head or a 2k tungsten Arri any day over an LED

[@Arsenjev_Kirill]

Thanx for You review! But, I don't understand, Why You do not compare these modifiers with a normal - tradition fresnel spot light , That give You sharp edge circle ? And all these modifiers - are just the emulation, with No campare with and Tradition fresnel lens lights? And - Your greate comparation - of modifyers - is great - but - You just need to say - of a physic of all this, Just the parrallel beams - does matter, and the Size of a sourse :) And the sun - as a ideal sourse of light and compare to modifyers Just a littlebit of physic, and compare, and explanetion - why - the sun - is always Better That - will be a great review!

[@Just-a-bystander]

Apparently, the auto voice to text service doesn’t clearly understand how Karl speaks his name. Lol.. apparently his name is written out as Kyle Taylor… in several videos.