Lighting modifiers can make a dramatic difference in your images, shaping and controlling light for professional-looking results. But high-end gear can be expensive! The good news? You can create effective DIY lighting modifiers with simple, affordable materials. Check out these before-and-after shots to see just how much a well-crafted modifier
Bending the light to your will is the difference between a good photographer and a better photographer. Shaping the light to make a person or product look more inviting is accomplished by understanding light and knowing how to use tools to make that happen. This is the 18 x 24
Night photographer Mike Cooper creates inventive light modifiers for his lights. I caught up with him to ask him more about them. Tell us about the light painting devices you use to illuminate your night photos. When I first started in night photography/light painting, I was using a couple of
When you first get started with photography, you might only have an on-camera flash. Or, you might be limited and need to be mobile with your lighting. Using a flash on top of your camera can still be a powerful tool. And while pointing it toward the ceiling is a
It’s easy to see why natural light is popular for portrait photography. This soft, diffused type of lighting is flattering for skin tone and creates a beautiful, airy-look to the photos. However, what if the weather isn’t ideal during your shoot? Or, what if your shooting location doesn’t provide access
One of the most fun things about shooting in the studio is experimenting with different light modifiers to achieve different looks. Apart from the usual tools like softboxes, reflectors and gobos, you may also want to consider adding v-flats to your arsenal. Whether you’re doing a fashion shoot or a
Thinking of doing some studio portraits? You’ll definitely need some light modifier know-how so you can light your subjects properly for flattering portraits. Since there are several kinds available, choosing which one to use can be overwhelming for beginners. This is where the quick comparison above by Hypop will come
Light modifiers are among the essential tools when you’re shooting studio portraits. These include parabolic reflectors. Their construction and shape allow for the light source to be moved within the reflector to produce different light characteristics. These qualities make them the preference of many professional portrait photographers. However, the steep
While wandering around the booths at WPPI this year, I met Paul McKelvey. Paul is the founder of the Kobra Flash Modifier — he designed the Kobra. The Kobra is a flash modifier that is lightweight, flexible and pretty sleek looking. “I felt disappointed as to what the market was
A softbox is a term that describes an enclosure that surrounds a light source on all sides and diffuses the light that escapes from it. Watch this video to learn more about light modifiers.
In this video from Linkedin Learning, Vanelli explains what Light modifiers are and how to use them to alter or shape the light.
