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The Beauty of the One Light Portrait - part 3 of 1 2 3

by Tony Corbell Published 01/12/2016

Beauty Dish

Another single source to consider as a high-quality light is the beauty dish. The beauty dish, when used very close to the face, can result in a wonderful and glamourous face with the magazine cover look many people find appealing. Smooth skin is helpful as is great make-up. So, the beauty dish is best used when placed very close to the subject - 3’ up to 4’ at the most, otherwise the shadows become a bit sharp and the highlights might tend to blow-out a bit. Keep those beauty dishes close and you’ll be much happier and your clients will feel they have never looked better. They work especially well when coupled with a grid designed to direct the light and keep it from spilling onto the background.

Final Thoughts

I am a photographer who has had a long career working with all kinds of lighting and have taught lighting techniques throughout the world. In the early days of my career there was literally only one thing being taught. This was the four standard light patterns on the face: Rembrandt Light, Split Light, Loop Light and Butterfly Light. Here have been lots and lots of books and articles on the topic and while it may be important to at least know and be aware of each, don’t get too caught up in thinking this is all you have to do to use quality lighting. Some people taught that anything other than one of these four light styles was just wrong.

Well, the world has changed and what works is simply making your client look great. PERIOD.

Nothing else matters. Glamour photographers and even fashion folks have looked down on portrait photographers for years and years due to portrait folk's never-changing ideas on lighting.

But truly, what makes the most sense above and beyond any specific lighting style is making your client look and feel great. This wins all, and in many instances I can create this exact look (that I am after and that my client loves) with a single, simple, and wellplaced single light. Give it a try.

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Contact Tony Corbell

1st Published 01/12/2016
last update 09/12/2022 14:57:07

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