Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hey guys, I've got a question regarding the beauty dish and the omni reflector. Most of the shots we will be using it for will be both product photography (models wearing the clothing) and athletic/fitness shots of the models wearing our gear also. We want to have a bright look, but have the option of shooting low key, high contrast bodybuilding shots as well.

Would the Omni Reflector or the Beauty Dish be more versatile for this type of shooting?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Either would probably do you well. However, the Omni comes into its own when very specular highlights are shown, it does not have a center disc appearing and also when the triple layer diffusion fabric is used it is very very even vs beauty dish (this is the face of the reflectors, not the light on the subject).

Plus it is smaller, and smaller means harder shadows (though it would be nominal between these two reflectors) and less expensive to ship.

Thanks for the reply. In terms of full body product photography, will the omni produce too harsh of light in an indoor or studio environment, compared to the white beauty dish?

If you use the diffusion fabric on the Omni, I don't think you would get a huge difference. The shado transition softness would come from relative size of the modifier, and the two are within 4' of the same size. There will not be a lot of "wrap" either way and the spread would be similar.

Thanks! Omni it is then. Seems more versatile.