just an interesting experiment with a 22" beauty dish

[hawk911]

Gridded and non:

Here's non with only the elichrom deflector inside about 2.5 inches from the end of the modeling light.

http://hawkphotography.smugmug.com/photos/658701368_XcEzZ-XL.jpg

gridded- same exposure, same light position and a step or 2 from the same camera angle:

http://hawkphotography.smugmug.com/photos/658701387_ePUxG-XL.jpg

[S-Man]

Am I seeing a dark spot in the middle of your BD? Isn't that not supposed to be there?
Looks like a mag-light set on 'wide'.

[alabama1980]

Isn't that the shadow of the model? looks like a hard shadow from on her left, then a softer shadow from the bounced light on her right.

[Cathpah]

Am I seeing a dark spot in the middle of your BD? Isn't that not supposed to be there?
Looks like a mag-light set on 'wide'.

I do believe that's the center deflector creating that shadow. I once heard that it's called a beauty dish because you can bring it in close, but aim that darker spot at the forehead (which is closest to the light) to avoid the blown out forehead.

Isn't that the shadow of the model? looks like a hard shadow from on her left, then a softer shadow from the bounced light on her right.

nope...there wouldn't be a shadow on the wall to her right (our left) because the light is aimed right at that wall.

[abdul10000]

why did you take out the translucent disk in favor of the deflector?

[hawk911]

Abdul, I did that on suggestions from others that the translucent wasn't efficient or helpful. And yes- the dark area in the middle is from the deflector. If I was really using the light at that distance, I'd take it out. Up close, is serves to remove the hotspot at close distance.

Here's a shot with the BD. I can tell it wasn't in as close as it should have been though, cuz the catchlight is pretty small.

http://hawkphotography.smugmug.com/photos/658895641_Nj6ap-L.jpg

[symbolphoto]

That is interesting, that's good to note for closeups.

[sdipirro]

Which of the Elinchrom deflectors are you using? There are several different sizes. I've been experimenting with the mini deflectors, but when using the Dlite-4, I've removed the modeling light to get the deflector in closer to the flash tube. I'm using the 22" Kacey BD and find that I like his solid white deflector better than the Elinchrom minis. So I've started experimenting with the mini in the Elinchrom deep octa, with various combinations of diffusers on the octa, simulating a beauty dish of sorts. I should do a more scientific comparison of the lighting differences.

[hawk911]

Those were the mini deflectors. I didnt think about removing the modeling light on location. Will do that next time and get the deflector closer. Good idea---- doh! on my part.

[TMR Design]

The use of the silver vs. the translucent deflector is a person choice, just as lighting style is choice.

When I first got the Speedotron 22" dish I worked with it using the installed translucent disc and wasn't that enthused with the results. I covered the back side of the disc and immediately liked the results more. Knowing that I liked what I was seeing, I removed the manufacturer's disc and started using the smaller Elinchrom silver deflector. I also tried the larger silver deflector but for the size of the dish I preferred the smaller deflector. If I find I want the translucent disc I can always use the Elinchrom translucent when I feel I need/want it.

I got the beauty dish for the higher contrast, directional lighting. The translucent disc, in my opinion, began softening and diffusing the light, thus lessening the desired effect. Since there is a sock available I know I can also soften and diffuse the light by using the sock and/or translucent disc.