Best Studio Light Modifier: Softbox, Umbrella or Beauty Dish? Portrait Lighting Tutorial

It is important to understand what a light modifier is and how it will impact your portrait lighting or headshot photography. Umbrellas, softboxes, brolly boxes and beauty dishes are all important lighting tools for photographers.

In this portrait lighting tutorial I am going to break down the differences in studio light modifiers, using gear from LumoPro, Wescott, Photoflex, Adorama and more. I will discuss umbrellas, brolly boxes, softboxes and beauty dishes to help you understand HOW and WHY to pick the right one. I am also going to show you the different kind of light they each produce. Be sure to stay tuned until the end and I will teach you a cool little trick for testing catchlights before you shoot.

The primary goal of ALL of these modifiers is to broaden the light source so that you don’t get the harsh shadows that are created by direct flash. Remember that in general – the bigger the light source, the softer the light. The lessons you will learn here work for speedlites and monolights.

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[RichardsMovies]

The marble Portraits are all about catchlights in my opinion (mainly because watching them is an easy way to tell if your lights are in the ballpark).
And to think, if Tim Berners-Lee hadn’t invented the World Wide Web you wouldn’t be able to share it and I would never have learned it. Thanks Joe and Tim—nice teamwork.

[joseconsuegra]

Hands down you are in my opinion the “BEST” portrait photographer !

[wellwhatthen]

Hi Joe it is so refreshing to have someone that is down to earth about light modifiers. As most so called professional photographers try and convince us that the well over priced parabolic reflectors are the way to go. I like many other photographers use the normal softboxes and umbrellas with great effect as you have said in this video you do not need to spend large amounts of money to achieve the same effect. I look forward to all of your videos.

[stephencutajar]

I like your style and videos, straight to the point. Best video of showing how modifiers work without putting the viewer to sleep.

[franciscokloganb]

Subscribed just because of that fact that I can watch your videos at 1.5x and still understand all your saying. Considering your content is already straigh to the point and therefore short... With the speedboost I'm devouring content.

[Skyechang]

I just spent over an hour watching your useful and easy understand tutorials! Thank you for the great tips and knowledge.

[elmegade]

Joe you're a legend. Without doubt one of the most insightful photographers out there on You Tube. Thank you!

[quinn]

I really liked the tip using a marble to see how the catch light will look.

[skyknight]

Joe, I often come back to your videos and watch them over and over again. I like your refined approach (cutting the fat) and providing a clear and proven knowledge, style, and techniques in all of your video. I also appreciate you have the budget minded photographers in mind and such approach is humbling; gears are important, but experience through practice and dedication can't be substituted. Keep up the good work Joe!

[johncockerham]

I stumbled upon your channel today and I have to say, I can't believe I have gone this long without your tutorials! You are well spoken and easy to understand. You also don't waste a ton of time getting into the videos and describing what you have listed in your description. You have earned a fan. Thank you for your help

[robertmullan]

The trick with the marble is soooo cool Joe. Thanks!

[witsislidewanderlust]

This video must be a greatest tutorial for the beginner who is new to flash modifier selection

[RandellJohn]

I've got to agree with John, you're making some of the best photography tutorials out there Joe. Thanks for all the hard work, and thought that goes into making them. It's really appreciated.

[LYSYSTUDIOS]

I am just setting up my home studio (not new in photography, but new in interior lighting) and this is the best I found on youtube on the subject. And what helps of course is your pics are pro grade. Thanks!

[shadyninja]

I saved this as a point of reference for later.
Thanks for uploading

[smbretail]

The few things I have learnt in my not nearly anywhere as long time as you have been doing this. Catchlights = personal preference like you say, I love: Octabox, Beauty Dish and Verticals.

Mistake I made was buying the cheaper soft boxes that don't collapse. Such a mission to transport them, you either need to spend an hour (not really but feels like it) to break down and set up, or you need to buy a bigger car to be able to transport them already set up. Because I find myself going to locations more and more lately, for corporate headshots etc. And wanting the catchlights I want means I need the softboxes not umbrellas.

But I do have 3 x shoot thru umbrellas and a silver and gold reflective as well.

[writerjameslee]

Great video. I don't think this topic gets talked about enough. It took me a while before I narrowed down my favorites. For example, I like silver reflective umbrellas, but I don't like shoot through umbrellas as they usually show the umbrella's ribs in the catch lights.

[brandytyan]

Thanks for making this video! I find it way easier to understand than reading a blog post or an article.

[DouglasHStout]

I recently started using a bed sheet hung on a pole with cloths pins and a bare speedlight 4 or 5 feet back and it by far the widest (& cheapest) modifier I have ever used.

[LucaPischeddaVideoProducer]

One of The most complete and easy to understand guide about lights modifier. Thanks