#lightmodifiers

Today I made 4 different light modifiers which include Softbox, Gobo, Reflector and Gels.

I created the softbox but using a cardboard box covered with a white bin bag, you can use this by putting a light in the middle. My gobo was made simply by cutting patterns into cardboard box, in this case I cut one little circle in attempt to shine it as a spotlight onto my main character. Reflectors can be made just with a plain piece of white paper.

My gels which is exampled below were made from cutting a square out of coloured plastic folders and putting it infront of my flashlight.

Images below were taken without a reflector, with a reflector, an Incorrect white balance and then rebalanced in Lightroom.  Shot on Fujifilm X-H1 

1/1000s

F/4

iso400

35mm

(without reflector)

(using a silver reflector) 

(incorrect white balance) 

I used lightroom after to correct the white balance using these steps. 

Snoot

Snoot modifiers are compared to cones as they are very similar in shape. Due to the form of the modifier the light it gives off is very hard as it Is directed creating a spot light affect. The circular shape makes it impossible for light to spill across a subject as it is directed.

Honeycomb

The “honeycomb Grid” is a simple device to direct the light in a tight beam. It is an example of a range of grids used in front of lights to harden the light source and prevent the light from spreading out into a wider, more diffused beam.

Beauty Dish

A  beauty dish uses a parabolic reflector to distribute light towards a focal point. The light created is between that of a direct flash and a softbox, giving the image a wrapped, contrasted look, which adds a more dramatic effect.

Soft Box

A softbox diffuses the light into a pleasing soft, even light. When used properly, it reduces harsh shadows. The closer the softbox is to the model or subject, the softer the light appears, emulating window light. The shape of a softbox can vary from rectangular to octagonal to square to a long strip of light.

Reflectors

A reflector is a tool that helps a photographer to manipulate the light by providing another surface for the light to bounce off of. Reflectors are inexpensive tools that can make a big impact on your images.

Barn Doors

Barn doors are light modifiers that shape and direct light. They are flexible to use and can create focused light. They also make a variety of shapes. Barn doors are fixed onto the front of studio or theatre lights.

Umbrella

This tool helps them in the lighting aspect of photography particularly when shooting indoors. The umbrella diffuses light to enable you to achieve a softer lighting in your images. So instead of letting light directly focus on the subject, the umbrella bounces off the light in different directions.