How to Use a Beauty Dish in Photography
A beauty dish is a 22-inch, photographic studio reflector that is usually either white or silver. A beauty dish reflects more light than umbrellas or other indirect studio lighting. Working with intense light sources can sometimes create problems with shadows. However, in situations where you need intense light, a beauty dish paired with a reflector can create clean lines with manageable shadows.
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Instructions
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Position the light, with the beauty dish attached, in the desired position. That position may be on one side of the model, or the light may be placed above or below the model's face.
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Position a reflector opposite the beauty dish. Place the reflector initially at a 90-degree angle to the beauty dish.
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Make some test shots to see if the reflector is adequately removing the shadows. Adjust the distance of the dish and the distance and angle of the reflector until you have created an image that has the sharp lines of an intense light source balanced with low shadows of a well-placed reflector.
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Tips & Warnings
Try placing the beauty dish on different sides of the model. Models with tall noses, for example, may benefit from having the main light more straight on than at an extreme angle.
Using a reflector of a different color than the beauty dish, such as a gold reflector, can help create depth and warmth in the image.
Consider using a honeycomb to control light spill if your beauty dish supports this type of light modifier.
