Godox Light modifiers alter or control the light, some of them soften the light for more flattering shadows and others can create hard light. Using modifiers require photographers have more creative control over light by changing the color or even shape. Photographer Sarah Edmunds will shoot a model portfolio, discovering how different modifiers can be used to create powerful portraits.
The background of the project: "Using Godox Light Modifiers"
Sarah Edmunds' shoot was to update the portfolio of model, actress, and DJ Giulia Alberti. Giulia asked her to provide some simple, elegant portraits showcasing her personality and classic grace. Sarah's goal was to allow her natural beauty to shine, and lighting was key. She planned to test out the following lighting setups using Godox lighting:
- Quick release parabolic softbox
- Silver beauty dish with and without grid
- Intriguing lantern softbox
By testing out these different lighting setups, Sarah aimed to find the best lighting that would showcase Giulia's natural beauty and personality in a simple and elegant way
Photo by Sarah Edmunds
Light setup 1 Using Godox Light Modiers
For the first setup, Sarah Edmunds used one light with the quick release parabolic softbox and silver reflector from Godox. The softbox has a unique and very easy click system, and a silver interior maximizes the bouncing of light inside the softbox. An interior baffle helps reduce the central hotspot of light, creating a more even light spread. The deep shape funnels the light, and a Bowens mount is compatible with her AD600Pro, as well as the S2 bracket she uses for smaller Godox lights. The light was positioned above the model, pointed downwards and in front of her, also known as front feathering. Sarah was looking for a clean, simple lighting pattern to match the neutral set and styling, and to mimic the way natural light falls on the face. A reflector on the floor caught the light and bounced it back up, providing a flattering fill
In summary, Sarah Edmunds used Godox lighting to create different looks and add impact to her images. She demonstrated how to use different modifiers such as the quick release parabolic softbox and silver reflector to create a clean, simple lighting pattern that mimics the way natural light falls on the face. By using reflectors and fill lights, she was able to create a flattering and even light spread that showcased the natural beauty of her model.
Light setup 2 Using Godox Light Modiers
A simple variation on the first setup that Sarah Edmunds used was to use a large reverse umbrella, this time pointed directly downwards at a 90-degree angle onto the silver reflector on the floor. The larger the modifier in relation to the subject, the softer the light, and feathering to this extent softens it even more. The result was a shaft of light in front of Giulia, lighting her face and full body with a soft, even glow. The umbrella had a white interior, which provided lower contrast than a silver one. The light itself was reversed, pointing away from the subject and into the white umbrella interior, then bouncing back out through the sheer white diffusion fabric covering the umbrella opening. The spread of light was so broad that Giulia could move and pose freely
Light setup 3 Using Godox Light Modiers
For the next look, Sarah Edmunds wanted the lighting to match the glamour and create a more dramatic effect. She used only one light and a reflector, this time using the amazing lantern softbox. Compared to the large reverse umbrella, this modifier provided a smaller light source, meaning harder shadows, yet the lantern shape diffused the light omnidirectionally, so light could bounce off the white walls, ceiling, and floor. The large silver reflector provided brilliant flow and striking catchlights in the eyes. To increase contrast and reduce the bounce of light from the white walls, Sarah placed black V-flats either side of the subject
Photo by Sarah Edmunds
Light setup 4 Using Godox Light Modiers
For this shoot, Sarah Edmunds gradually added drama by changing the light modifier. She used a silver beauty dish, which provided a smaller light source, meaning harder and more dramatic light fall off. The silver interior of the beauty dish gave wonderful specular highlights on the skin. For maximum drama, she used only the beauty dish, with no fill, which concentrated and focused the light on the model with deep shadows. Adding a grid focused and narrowed the beam of light to a tighter circle. She combined it with the large reverse umbrella as a fill light, using the beauty dish to illuminate Giulia’s beautiful skin and emphasize her wonderful bone structure. The large silver reflector added real pop to the eyes. She could turn off the fill light using her XPro trigger for a low key look and turn it back on for the glamorous three-quarter shots. Silver-coated beauty dishes offered a more specular and more contrasty light, which was a look she loved. The result was that Giulia looked almost lit from within. The unique shape of the beauty dish meant that light fired into the dish, hit the small central reflector, bounced back, and then bounced again off the curved metal surface towards the model’s face. Shadows from beauty dishes tended to have quite a rapid transition from light to shadow. The effect was soft and flattering thanks to the large umbrella fill light, with a glossy, specular glow from the gridded beauty dish
In summary, Sarah Edmunds used different light modifiers such as the silver beauty dish and large reverse umbrella to gradually add drama to her shoot. By using the beauty dish to illuminate her model's skin and emphasize her bone structure, she was able to create a specular and contrasty light that highlighted Giulia's natural beauty. Her expertise in using different modifiers and techniques showcased her ability to create different looks and moods in her images.
Comments (1)
Some more of these with other modifiers too