If you’ve ever wondered how to use a beauty dish effectively, this video is your complete guide to creating stunning portraits with this versatile light modifier. Despite using beauty dishes for years, I tested them thoroughly to better understand how they work, and now I’m sharing everything I’ve learned with you!

I’ll walk you through the results of my tests, demonstrate two multi-light setups with beauty dishes, and explain how different modifiers like grids and socks affect your final images. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned photographer, understanding the nuances of a beauty dish can truly elevate your portrait lighting skills.

We’ll cover:
• How to position beauty dishes for perfect lighting
• The effect of grids and diffusion socks on your subject
• When to use silver vs. white beauty dishes
• Practical tips for portrait photographers working with beauty dishes

By the end of this video, you’ll feel confident in using beauty dishes for your portrait photography, with clear insights on when and why to choose this modifier for your shoots.

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Lighting
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ

Elinchrom Softlite White Beauty Dish Reflector (27.6", 64°) Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnv9Msdmw
B&H https://bhpho.to/3etOUn6

Elinchrom Softlite 27" Reflector (Beauty Dish) 64 degrees - Silver
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1d2j1ArzC
B&H https://bhpho.to/3MMhJcl

Elinchrom 27.6" Softlite Beauty Dish Grid
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dZilGosF
B&H https://bhpho.to/3R2dsnN

Elinchrom 17.3" 80 Degree Softlite Reflector, White
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1d43hYbih
Amazon https://amzn.to/3MLhHlb
B&H https://bhpho.to/46nZpNM

Elinchrom 17.3" 55 Degree Softlite Reflector, Silver
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1d6cEoZM1
B&H https://bhpho.to/3ul23Xm

Elinchrom 17.3" Softlite Beauty Dish Grid
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1d1jM2swR
Amazon https://amzn.to/40JEJ1n
B&H https://bhpho.to/3QZKbdk

Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Strip Softbox (13 x 69”)Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnml5FQG0 Amazon https://amzn.to/33NTasn B&H https://bhpho.to/44b7B43

Elinchrom 8.3" Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid
Adorama https://howl.me/ckXfvvRu20T
B&H https://bhpho.to/4731i3t

Elinchrom 8.3" Barndoors Kit
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dEuEAQjR
Amazon https://amzn.to/3R2IZoD
B&H https://bhpho.to/3MMEooY

Elinchrom 8.3" Grid Kit
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dCSPTlvr
B&H https://bhpho.to/49CXIPo

Camera
Canon EOS R5
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWpm8UM
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vPGmeb
B&H https://bhpho.to/3VbPdUw

Canon BG-R10
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/2OUmRQY
B&H https://bhpho.to/3niVtNI

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWYcCHb
Amazon https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWOwhRU
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H https://bhpho.to/426bKEM

Video
Canon Cinema EOS C70
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkvy7X
B&H https://bhpho.to/44dCV23

Nanlite Compac 200B Adjustable Bicolor LED Panel
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFTJEu8k2N
Amazon https://amzn.to/3mXYzUP
Nanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/x93BBk
B&H https://bhpho.to/42v0bap

Nanlite FS-150 AC LED Monolight
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFTK70WWcG
Nanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/b3zLLB
B&H https://bhpho.to/3NFmZQg

Before we begin, Elinchrom provided some of the gear used in this video, but they did not pay me, nor do they have editorial control over the content. Beauty dishes from different brands work similarly, so I encourage you to test your gear. This video will show you what to look for when using beauty dishes, socks, and grids.

If you’d like to support me, please check out the gear linked in the description. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated!

You may have heard the rule that the distance from the beauty dish to the subject should match its diameter (e.g., 27” dish = 27” distance). While I’ve followed this, others suggest that 1m is optimal. Through this video, you’ll learn how to find the best approach for your needs.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:58 - Cross Section Test
07:21 - Bare Dish Results
08:34 - Grid Test
08:48 - Diffusion Sock Test
10:05 - Catch Lights
10:18 - 70cm SIlver Distance Dest
11:37 - 44cm SIlver Distance Dest
12:37 - Coss Section Test Conclusions
14:47 - Retouching
15:14 - Small Spaces
17:56 - Film Noir
27:51 - Conclusions

#BeautyDish #PortraitPhotography #StudioLighting