Light is the heart of everyone photography And the right choice of the light former decides on the effect of an image. It modeled the motif, creates atmosphere and determines the effect of a picture. Without targeted light control, photos often seem flat or unwanted hard. To get the best out of a light source, come so -called Light former used. They help you to steer the light, make it appear softer or harder and to create targeted effects. In this post we take a closer look at the most important Light former And their effect on the motif.
Softbox - the classic for soft light
The Softbox is one of the best known and most frequently used Light former. It consists of a rectangular or octagonal frame that is covered with a diffuse fabric. The light is scattered by the fabric, which creates a uniform, soft illumination with gentle shadows. It is often used in portrait and studio photography, especially because it creates flattering light and naturally makes skin tones look.
There are different variants within the soft boxes:
- Standard softbox: The classic rectangular variant ensures an even and soft light distribution.
- Parabol softbox: Due to its deeper shape, it creates a contrasting light with a stronger direction.
- Balloon softbox: This spherical Softbox If the light is particularly soft in all directions and is ideal for natural space lighting.
- Octabox: An octagonal Softboxthat creates a particularly natural photo with soft shadow gradients.
- Striplight: An elongated Softbox, which ensures narrow, targeted lighting, for example to emphasize body contours or backlight.
Effect: Soft light that gently leaves shadow and hides blemishes. Perfect for portraits to create a pleasant, natural light. One example is the typical beauty recording, in which the face is evenly illuminated and undesirable hard shadows are minimized.
Umbrella - flexible all -rounder
Umbrellas are versatile Light formerthat occur in two main variants: reflex and penetration umbrellas.
- Reflex umbrellas Have a silver or gold inner surface that reflects the light in a targeted manner and often ensures high -contrast light.
- Clearing umbrellas consist of a translucent material that gently spreads the light and ensures even diffuse illumination.
Effect: Reflex umbrellas create directed light with more contrast, ideal for dramatic fashion recordings. Developed umbrellas provide a gentler light distribution, perfect for group photos or natural portraits, as they distribute the light on larger areas.
Beauty Dish - perfect for fashion and beauty
The Beauty Dish Is a rounder Light former With a silver or white inner surface, the light is slightly bundled, but still makes it softer than a direct flash. It is often used in fashion and beauty photography because it creates a balanced mixture of hard and soft shadows and worked out details particularly well.
Effect: Clearly defined contours and targeted highlights, ideal for portraits in which skin structure and facial features are to be emphasized. One example would be a fashion shoot, in which the model receives a more lively, sculptural appearance through the directed light.
Conical spot of spot - the spotlight for targeted lighting accents
A conical spot of spot, also known as Snoot, is a cylindrical Light formerthat bundles the light strongly and only directs to a certain area. This makes it ideal for setting targeted accents, for example to highlight details such as eyes or hair.
Effect: Very hard lighting with strong contrast. Perfect for creative portraits or product photography if a specific detail is to be highlighted dramatically, e.g. B. a piece of jewelry or a special point of view.
Honeycomb grille (grid) - More control over the light
A Honeycomb, also called Grid, is a kind of network that is in front of a light source or one Light former like one Softbox is set. It reduces light scatter and ensures targeted lighting by directing the light only in a certain direction.
Effect: Precise light control, ideal for targeted accentuation in portrait photography or for moods. Example: An actor in the theater light in which the light only falls on his face and the background sinks into the dark.
Optical spot resolutions - maximum precision in the lighting
Optical spot resolutions are special Light formerthat work with a lens system to control the light extremely precisely. A well-known example is the GoBo projector, which enables patterns or shapes such as window frames or leaves to be projected to the background or the motif. This Light former are particularly popular in advertising and theater photography to create creative effects. They are often used in advertising and product photography to create precisely defined light edges or patterns.
Effect: Exciting light patterns for extraordinary pictures. One example would be a film scene in which a GoBo projects the pattern of a window frame onto the actor to create atmospheric lighting.
Reflector - form light without electricity
Reflectors are a simple but effective way to convert light. They reflect existing light on the motif and are available in different colors:
- Silver Increases contrasts and reflects a rather cool light.
- Gold ensures warmer light tones.
- White creates a soft, neutral reflection.
- Black Absorbed light and reinforced shadow.
Effect: Adaptation of the lighting mood through reflection. One example would be an outdoor shooting in which a silver reflector The sunlight uses to lighten shadows on the face of the model.
The right light former for the perfect look
Everyone Light former Has its own effect and is particularly suitable for certain situations. While soft boxes produce soft, flattering light, conical spot resolutions and offer Gobos Creative possibilities for lighting staging. Whether for portraits, product photography or experimental light art - with the right choice of the light former, you can specifically control the image effect.
Use the variety of Light former, experiment with different options and bring your photography To the next level!