The beauty dish was my first modifier and remains my fav. At the Goldilocks distance of 3-4' distance, the light is just right - not too soft, not too hard. Below are samples with the Profoto (21" dia, white, no grid). I always use the optional opal glass diffuser (most obvious in the first two pics).
BD is set back about 8' in the last pic: light is harder, but still very nice. All samples employ a single light, so the BD effect can be assessed easily.
thanks guys, beautiful pictures, i am looking for a BD, dont know what size to get. when looking for a BD, do i look for the biggest one or different size, different effect?
shatter.. I am assuming that you prefer the Mola to the Profoto... Could you pleease elaborate on the difference? Thanks and I enjoyed your series.. Have I seen the last image posted somewhere before??
KH, I really love the light, however, the hands are a bit dead or stiff, but the light is nice,
Looks like a great example of a classic over-and-under light configuration with the BD on top to bring out spectral highlights of the models hair, skin, eyes and mouth. 2 softboxes would have been too flat; the BD really brings life to her face and draws attention to her eyes. Excellent illustration for the OP.
BTW, Krieves and Michaels shots really show nice implementation of the parabolic (more focused/narrow) beam and rapid fall off characteristics of the BD too.
Aberdeen Photo wrote:
shatter.. I am assuming that you prefer the Mola to the Profoto... Could you pleease elaborate on the difference?
It's tough to put it into concrete terms...most obviously it's larger, so you can use it further away from your subject or to light a larger area. But I think the shape of it (scalloped reflector pan) gives it a richer light with deeper and more precise blacks. Mine has the glass center deflector as well, so it doesn't have a dead spot in the catchlights...though that dead spot never bothered me. I also find it to have a much sturdier construction, whereas every Profoto model I've used has always had loose or broken deflector disc standoffs.
However, being larger than the Profoto, it's also a lot heavier and more of a hassle to store and transport. There's really nothing wrong with the Profoto, for folks in the market.
Have I seen the last image posted somewhere before??
Probably here, or in my Flickr stream...it's something I shot a year or so ago while on a shooting trip to LA and it became a sort of turning point for me from one style to another.
Thanks Simon for taking the time to respond. I am looking to add a bd to my 7b, mainly for bridals and hs srs. I have rented the profoto, however, have not used the Mola. That really helps.
Below are samples with the Profoto (21" dia, white, no grid). I always use the optional opal glass diffuser (most obvious in the first two pics).
