The Umbrella Vs. Beauty Dish - What You Need to Know About Studio Lighting Modifiers.

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥✨💥 5:40 Most interesting is that in all 3 shots your model barely moved from her pose. I so greatly appreciate all of your work and time spent creating these videos.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes she's a bit stiff and thank you

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

@@VisualEducationStudio always really amazing work. Such an inspiration ...!! Stiff. HAA

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

When I shoot a glamour head shot I use the Beauty dish & a silver reflector below the models face under her chin, works like a charm! Nice video for newbies!

[@sylvianosamia2839]

A beauty dish PLUS a softbox, together, is an amazing set-up as well.

[@raja34777]

Your explanation demonstrates, your in-depth knowledge and commitment. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

You're very welcome!

[@piratezippy]

I agree with you as I also have a 70cm beauty dish, however, i always teach that a 'shoot through' umbrella is a good close match for the amateur to try and use, and again also how the umbrella is placed, ie closer or further away from the strope, so a variation is achieved and worth exploring. great vid karl

[@sergeantcrow]

As I would expect... Karl has a keen eye for minute changes with aspects of lighting .. and what a studio !

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you.

[@manoharmgr8235]

வீடியோ மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தது மிக்க நன்றி 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 இரா.மனோகர் சென்னை . Very useful video sir, I learned lot from it, looking forward more videos like this keep it up good work, thanks a lot sir big thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 R.MANOHAR Chennai.

[@bobsykes]

Fascinating! What an excellent result with just a single light and one modestly sized modifier.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Many thanks

[@12culori]

nice.....i like your videos because you explain in metric units .... thank you and of course THE CONTENT !

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you like them, thanks

[@rodzimmerman8436]

Great demonstation of light modifiers. Well done.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you very much!

[@ssdigitalssuresh9697]

Really u r God to photograhers who will develop their professional value

[@VisualEducationStudio]

very kind thanks

[@Alfredolunafoto1]

Excellent video as always, Karl. Very informative. Thank you.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very welcome

[@adefenwaadeliyi8372]

Once again, Thanks for sharing karl, depth of knowledge and clear explanation. I appreciate it. It came at the time I wanted to buy a beauty dish.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kcjstudio1]

Lesson learned. I like the contrast the beauty dish creates on the subject

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks for watching

[@zacklarez]

Good video, thank you. Now I don't have to wonder. Editorials, here I come!

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

Very informative. I greatly admire your work and excellent advice.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I appreciate that

[@ninawashington3596]

Awesome job as always. Informative, well explained and examples well demonstrated.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you liked it

[@zafura]

Stiffany is a great name!!

[@rickierecardophotography7406]

Thank you for this demonstration. Great information.

[@crismi144]

Thank you for all the great info you give free of charge....whish i could get a brand name for that beauty dish 😊

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure. No brand just a 70cm silver, most studio stores sell them.

[@crismi144]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you

[@VALERYAN581]

Thank you very much Mr. Karl

[@AdamAdam-ut7dn]

I have always admired the result I get with the beauty dish, however, I tend to use more often the umbrella or a foldable softbot due to its portability. The main downside to BD is its size and its non-portable friendly.

[@Govannonart]

Karl, thanks again for sharing your wisdom with us. Very useful. Best regards from Mother Russia

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure and hello to Russia.

[@woodfordtheservicegolden884]

Stiffany xD I loved the seriousness the entire video until you called her by name. Thanks for the comparisons. I think I need a beauty dish :D

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed

[@londonfoto]

Love your videos. Bags of insight, and knowledge clearly explained.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you like them

[@BJEPhoto]

Excellent, expert comparison, thank you!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jasonbodden8816]

I actually really loved the light from the silver umbrella, though.

[@DB-nl9xw]

Thanks. Nice tutorial. The model is great, could smile a little bit more.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

She's very moody.

[@robert_samuels]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AlexanderOspanov]

Thanks a lot!!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No worries!

[@a.lawrence4969]

Your model is a real doll.

[@beverlybasden2648]

Thank You!

[@josediazh3890]

Muchas gracias.

[@callagan21]

thanks for sharing your knowledge.I thought that use the beauty dish with diffuser was better, now I know is not. I got to try it now.thanks

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gsrox2007]

I think the loss in exposure could be due to the fact that the light opens into the beauty dish directly but it fires into the umbrella from a distance and is then reflected forward. That short distance is enough to cause the exposure variation

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi it's just down to the dispersion of the light from the material and the fact that the beam isn't as focused as the light from the beauty dish. The distances were the same with the first umbrella but because of less dispersion the exposure remained the same although the look didn't.

[@caleb361]

Am I the only one stunned by the sheer size of the stands and other other equipment.

[@MichaelConferPhoto]

Thanks Karl. You are the best.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind thank you.

[@cooldisel]

The model is very cold face 😂😂😂 I love all ur videos and I hope one day when I come to UK to meet u 👍👍

[@oliviaa9387]

Does anyone know what brand the beauty dish is in Karl's video? I have watched the video multiple times and I can't figure it out. Just trying to pick one up from B and H. Thank you in advance :)

[@johnmoritz299]

Gracias por la traducción al español!

[@philindeblanc]

Is the pack/lighthead color temp shifting on those last couple shots at different outputs? Great comparisons. I too like the dish. There is a dish with a indent shape, which is the Mola, vs other dishes. Would be interesting to see if the $900 extra warrants that dish shape vs a "Studio Essentials 28" $79.99.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi Phil, no these packs are spot on, apparently there can be a small shift if one light is at 9 and the other is at power 1, but these were all shot around 5. It's the change in modifiers that can often cause a shift in colour temperature. Yes I've not used a Mola, the design looks like and industrial lamp shade, would be interesting to try one.

[@johnscott841]

Stiffanie, love it!!

[@yanncabello5432]

Thanks for the video. So (Para 133) > Beauty dish 70 cm > frosted silver umbrella > shiny silver umbrella... and what about focus 110? Since it is possible to zoom the flash in, would the comparison remain interesting in terms of contrast and texture?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

We have another video on that coming soon

[@yanncabello5432]

@@VisualEducationStudio thanks so much

[@evelasq1]

What about the Glow folding Beauty Dishes?

[@AnujithRajasekharan]

Great work sir, thankyou

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Most welcome

[@stevenmeansphotography3861]

Question why do I get shadow on my background when using the beau dish It’s 16inch but when I use my large soft box no shadow

[@mhc2b]

Really nice, comprehensive comparison. Thank you. Do you have any words of wisdom/opinion on the difference between a silver and white beauty dish? How about with the addition of a "sock" on either? PS - Whatever you're paying "Stiffanee," she deserves a raise!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

White beauty dish, not much different to a small round softbox, but slightly better. The silver one provides better sculpting. Putting a sock on any of them just turns them into a white round softbox. This is all lighting physics stuff, which if understood (and you can learn it on KTE) then you'd know the answer to almost all lighting questions. The great thing about light is it's a fixed quantity it always behaves in the same way based on its interaction with different materials or modifiers or mediums so in many ways it is very predictable. When you understand the science of light more deeply you know what it will do or how to make it do it.

[@captainBrouette]

Thanks Karl for these insights. Well done. Side question: where have you found Stephanie? She's not a common model, the face is pretty realistic with real volumes. Thx

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I think we found her on Amazon but I also so one the same on Ebay

[@andrewelder2739]

What's a tri-reflector?? Got a link?

[@uncleanAlibertine1]

thnx

[@carlosagsmendes]

Great video! Does anyone know where can I get a mannequin like this? Being able to see the catchlights is great. Also, what’s the brand of the beauty dish? Thanks in advance

[@VisualEducationStudio]

We got this one on Amazon

[@keith4047]

Your model a bit stiff, no sense of humor, never smiles, sort of reminds me of that movie starring Kim Cattrall

[@VisualEducationStudio]

That's why we call her Stiphannie!

[@TheSocialjerry]

@@VisualEducationStudio dwl

[@michaels3003]

Keith, she is in a frozen state, like Han Solo.

[@then00mer]

@@VisualEducationStudio Wow...

[@SpotBentley]

Thought the fall off in the beauty dish would be faster given that it appears to be closer to the subject than the umbrellas.

[@karlweb1]

Hi Karl, Nice Name... What model and size dish did you use

[@VisualEducationStudio]

70cm silver

[@karlweb1]

@@VisualEducationStudio who made it

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I'm afraid i don't know it was just an independent brand from a studio supplier, it was available in a number of lighting brand fittings.

[@torben.iisager]

Where did you buy the manequin, The ones i bought, there wasn't any eye reflection. So if you got a link to the one, or if you know similar. Like your videoes

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Amazon

[@mindblowinganimator]

@@VisualEducationStudio Can you provide a link please? I would be very grateful!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Search this on Amazon UK - SONGMICS Female Mannequin, Full Body Manikin, Dummy Realistic, Adjustable Mannequin, for Windowshop Clothes Display, PE Plastic, Flesh Tone MPLM07

[@rauldeandrade]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to subscribing to kte soon

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Awesome, thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on our platform

[@frits1463]

How much does the size of the beauty dish matter?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

The bigger the better for me because it's quite a sparkly light so bigger makes it a bit softer.

[@josesavant]

Hello Karl, hope you can help me out here... I can't for the life of me find a 70cm beauty dish for my set (with a bowens mount), do you have the link for this one you're using on the video? Thanks in advance!

[@erickpro]

Was the beauty dish also silver?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes it was

[@evansvisualmedia]

What shade of gray was your background? Distance of model from background?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Manners maketh man...... White/3m

[@jairoplagio5100]

Hy Karl. beauty dish to full lenght shoots?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes possible but the fall off of light will be quite quick as the light is focused perpendicular to the centre of the dish and optimised for about 2m away. As you use if further away the spread is greater and the light less focused and therefore will lose some of its qualities. This is often the case with most modifiers. If you wanted to retain a focused look then you'd need to move to a Para 133 or if you wanted a softer look then an Octabox 150.

[@rockj8197]

Have you used a folding beauty dish? Do they give the same light as a rigid beauty dish? Beauty dish or deep umbrella preference?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I'm afraid I haven't used one.

[@ivarschiager8529]

To me it looks like the umbrella is a bit further away from the modell than the beauty dish. (spread of light and inverse square law)

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I kept them the same distance. The umbrella is 10cm wider than the beauty dish though and the light is less directionally focused than a beauty dish. The beauty dish, silver in this size, has always been in my opinion the next best modifier to a Parabolic reflector such as the Para133 or 88 for beauty shots.

[@chazM6116]

@ 0:30 "70cm BD" V "80cm textured silver umbrella" @ 5:10 "same diameter modifier" :????

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes they are not exactly the same size but they are as close to it for a comparison. It's not like I was comparing a 2.2m Para with a 0.7m beauty dish. They are as close as possible as comparing a 70cm beauty dish with a 70cm umbrella except it was an 80cm umbrella because there was no 70cm umbrella.

[@barryashenhurst2071]

Karl, if you were a young man with big ambition but little money, which single modifier would you use to shoot gritty portraits all over the world? And why that one.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Para 133. It's the best one for what you described.

[@SaifElnasrphotographylovers]

Work in studio like that make any other places little if we compare , good tutorial thanks 👍

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you

[@mcdance1311]

the whole intro I thought the model was just a real girl standing in the same pose the whole time

[@Boxer1250RT]

No one who looks at these pictures in the Magazines or Catalogs gives a CRAP about what those small differences are. It is just the Photography Masturbation!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes I'd agree no one realises that they give a crap, in the same way that they don't realise that they would notice much difference between the quality in audio from a high fidelity amp and speakers compared to a standard one. They don't realise it but they certainly subconsciously notice the refinement in quality. The same applies with the creation of images in everything from the concept, the connection with the subject, the moment and the refinement of light. It is what separates 'good' photos that you see all over the internet and from amateurs to those of the top working professionals. There is an even bigger and better difference between the Para 133 and the Beauty dish and whilst all of the differences may be small, accumulatively they add up. If you don't really believe this to be true then look at the photos of people like Marco Grob, Tim Flach and Peter Lippmann and honestly tell me that you don't see a difference between their images and those of the general good photographers on Instagram or Flickr. Some of it is to do with their understanding of visual perception, some of it is to do with their crafted approach to post production and a lot of it has to do with their nuanced control of light.

[@EdAb]

@@VisualEducationStudio I love how you took a troll's statement and gave a thoughtful, informative response, without being defensive or rude. You are a gentleman and a great role model. Regrettably, I would not have been so kind.

[@nivassathe9525]

suppar

[@IAmSamuelCharpentier]

stiffanie 😂

[@macbaar]

😳🤔🤔🤓👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💪🤗🇨🇭

[@koreadrama7806]

Cheap make umbrella

[@hotquebec]

Can't see any difference!

[@alessiman]

The model is very stiff. This is what happens when you put a casting call on Modelmayhem 😁

[@FujifilmDeano]

Pretty sure Karl said her name was ‘Stiffany’ 😂

[@andrewmckenley5355]

Hey Karl, what's your view on the new type of Beauty Dishes, like the EZ Glow Beauty Dish. It's not a metal circle bowl anymore.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Not as effective as an actual beauty dish and not quite a true parabolic shape to be as effective as a Para and remember when it has a diffuser on it it's just a round softbox.

[@andrewmckenley5355]

@@VisualEducationStudio I was wondering what would be the difference with that and a softbox because it seemed the same. Thanks much.

[@diotough]

I wonder if the umbrella would render a different result (wether being closer to the beauty dish or further away) by pushing the flash further inside the umbrella. You did something similar with the deep parabolic light modifiers. Without having experience with those particular modifiers, I assume it might just work in a similar fashion. Of course, the larger segments will always be inferiour to a perfectly rounded surface (like on a beauty dish) in regards to shadows on the background, but it might improve performance. How a bout pushing the flash a lot further in and then going for bare bulb? Beauty dishes are always interesting but they are a pia when having to bring it to a location shoot. And collapisble beauty dishes (even with lots of segments) usually fire streight through it without the center dish blocking the hotspot. It has to be possible to get a proper collapsible beauty dish that gives you almost as good of a result as a solid one.

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank you very much!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No worries

[@jlwilliams]

I love the light from a beauty dish, but one downside if you don't have a permanent studio is that it's not at all travel-friendly. The only way I can carry mine around is to give it its own seat in the car!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Good point

[@boostedmaniac]

Some soft boxes also work as a beauty dish.

[@zacklarez]

Ironically, portability is why I got a BD. I hated fussing with softboxes on location so I got a smallish dish and just screw and go! Less bulk and I don't always have a lot of room. However I'm thinking I should try these larger dishes now..

[@brucebanner3600]

Bravo! Great video. With your explanations, things look simple. In my experience, when I'm using silver umbrellas, l'm taking care of their limits. The difference of result Vs beauty dishes is not so evident (most of the customers takes care more of the results than the tools I use). First, when using a silver umbrella, I can "zoom" by pulling or pushing them from the light. More important, I can move my lights on an another angle. Second point, when it is possible, I can also move my subject closer or more far. Last, imho, even if the beauty dishes are great modifiers, bring them on location is a pain.

[@romiemiller3093]

White umbrellas aren't specular, especially the translucent one that can be shot through.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Any light can be specular depending on its size relative to the subject. The sun is the biggest lighting modifier we could ever use and if we were closer to it the light from it would be soft but it's so far away it appears small relative to the subject and therefore will produce specular highlights. A small shoot through umbrella with a bare bulb light source very close to the umbrella at the appropriate distance will produce a more specular light (especially if it is more translucent) than that of a large modifier or a modifier that is relatively large to it's subject.

[@kaylanatoli4868]

Using a model that can’t move while practicing lighting is genius!!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Stiphannie is very good at modelling 😊

[@macbaar6073]

And no arguing...

[@MrJueKa]

I find the differences between a shiny silver and a frosted silver umbrella interesting - I`m only a hobby photographer who has to be economical with his money, so I`m using speedlites, but a 40 cm silver beauty dish is my favourite modifier too

[@PictureSizeDoesMatter]

Where can I find a mannequin that eyes catch light?

[@fiffrelin]

Thanks for this. It's interesting. If i understand well this video and others I watched about the beauty dish : there is just one position to use a BD otherwise you get ugly reflection/shadows, right ? You cant really play with it, put it on a side etc. If this is correct then it's a bit boring no ? Thank you !

[@tedsmith_photography]

Very interesting explanation - many thanks. I wonder if you have covered in another video that I am yet to find about the "flash into the umbrella" vs "flash through the umbrella" technique. I notice different photographers seem to use it one way (bounced) and others use it the other way (shoot through, such as Platon who seems to use this technique). My understanding is that both methods diffuse the light but I am a little muddled as to when you'd use one technique over the other.

[@BellaEstrella7]

Amazing lesson. Best explanation I have found on KZbin thus far!! thank you

[@VisualEducationStudio]

You're very welcome!

[@trondhelgehie6771]

I prefer the Elinchrom beauty dich to, have adapted it over to Broncolor my self..

[@VisualEducationStudio]

That's great if you prefer it. This wasn't the broncolor beauty dish either this was an independent brand one.

[@nuriucar9045]

Hallo, what have you Program, please the Name And link thank you

[@ngcmn]

where to find the independent brand beauty dish?

[@trondhelgehie6771]

Nicholas Ng Chun Ming Elinhcom 70cm

[@101Exit]

What model beauty dish is that?

[@sports_car_enthusiast]

And how would the beauty dish compare to a deep umbrella such as the broncolor focus 110? Were any of the two umbrellas you used here from broncolor?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi it's different but I do like the focus 110, we do a complete comparison of that and other modifiers on KTE

[@sports_car_enthusiast]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you

[@Neopulse00]

Thank you for this video.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure

[@Dan-jg7zl]

No such thing as bad light, it's just different. No modifier is bad here or giving out bad light. Personally, I'm a hard light shooter. I find soft light so boring and dated. Hard light is exciting, edgy and has character. If you want to create boring images then use your umbrella and beauty dish.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes hard light is often my favourite too as you will see here: karltaylor.com/people

[@David.1984]

Bonjour Karl, Thanks for your explanation in an understandable english for non native. Do you know if it could be interesting to use a reflector 70cm with the Elinchrom deflector set (silver, gold, frost and translucent 14cm diameter) compared to classical metal silver beauty dish as in your video with a little flash 200Ws? if yes, it is better to choose a white reflector or silver directly? Best Regards, David

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I've used lots of beauty dishes and beauty boxes and my favourite is always the 70cm silver as in this video.

[@RossTwentyOne]

Obviously not the point of the video, but how are you reviewing your pictures on your laptop straight away after taking a shot? I can't find how to do it anywhere? Thanks

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Tethered shooting: karltayloreducation.com/class/shooting-tethered/

[@SandeepSharma-ri3bx]

Thanks buddy

[@josephchan4198]

Love your classes. Learned a lot.

[@sports_car_enthusiast]

How different is a silver beauty dish from a small octabox of comparable size if you remove the diffusion panels from the octabox (both diffusion panels or only one of them)?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi, very different because the light focusing is very different.

[@sports_car_enthusiast]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you

[@MartinV.]

cool

[@MrFredypalacio]

👌🏼

[@krishnapramod5350]

Thank you Karl, can we have a studio measuring 25ft x 16 ft ro shoot online Photography full length model shoot, white background.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I think it would be tight, I could just about shoot full length comfortably in my old studio which was 11m x 7m. You have to remember that your model is not going to be at the far end of the studio, your background is and you generally need some distance between the model and the background to light effectively. If you are only doing white background then you could reduce the distance by using an illuminated white background but again if you bring your model too close to it then light will spill on to your model.

[@krishnapramod5350]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you Karl, for usefull advice. See you soon at your Karl Education