Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi all,

I have just placed an order for the above items, after reading from PCB manual that the use of the silver HOBD with the direct light blocker and diffuser will render effects similar to having the white HOBD, both in terms of quality (harshness level) of light and beam degree. Now I am having second thoughts if I made the right choice.

I shoot mostly outdoor portraitures of ordinary people as well as models. I like my pictures to have some punch but warm and vibrant as well.

Here's the link to the quality of light I like: http://briansmith.com/#/PORTRAITS/Athletes/10/caption

Would this be more like the silver one with direct light blocker and diffuser, or done with the white HOBD? I know it's unfair to assume that it's shot with a beauty dish, but I am just trying to draw a conclusion which purchase makes for sense for the quality of light I prefer.

Many thanks for your advice!

You can achieve some of those styles with a beauty dish. He's certainly not limited to any one modifier. The diffuser on the silver beauty dish, to me, acts more like a smaller, circular softbox. Not really the exact same as the white dish. Helps soften things up though.

I prefer the silver because I work outdoors a lot and like the extra efficiency I get out of it. Not to mention I like the harder look to it without the diffuser. I'd recommend looking into the purchase of a grid too though. In some of his photos it's obvious that the light is restricted a bit to control it's spread to just it's subject. With a diffuser the light will spill every where and you won't have that same control. The silver without a grid is only a 45 degree spread anyway I think, but as you pull it back you may find a need to tighten it up with a grid.

Also, note he's a fan of ring flashes. Even if you don't want to pick one up as a key, it's a great tool for fill light.

The silver BD will make those types of shots easier, as far as overpowering the sun. You do not need a lot of spread for those shots, so the silver will direct more light to your subject. Therefore a lower powered unit can yield a higher effective output. Putting a sock on it will achieve similar results to a white BD, though I will not say EXACTLY like a white beauty dish.

I thought the sock would make it act more like a round softbox?

I hardly ever use the sock w/ my Speedo dish...