Factors to Consider:
* Softness of Light: Larger beauty dishes produce softer light than smaller ones. The larger the light source relative to your subject, the softer the shadows.
* Coverage: Larger beauty dishes have a wider spread of light, useful for full-length or group shots. Smaller beauty dishes provide a more focused beam, great for headshots or selectively lighting a portion of the face.
* Distance to Subject: The closer you are to your subject, the softer the light will appear, even with a smaller beauty dish. Further away, the light becomes harder and more specular.
* Background: A wider spread of light will illuminate more of the background. A smaller dish will keep the background darker, creating more separation.
* Portability and Storage: Larger beauty dishes are more cumbersome to transport and require more storage space.
* Power Requirements: While beauty dishes themselves don't have power requirements, you need a flash or strobe powerful enough to utilize them effectively. Larger beauty dishes need more power to maintain sufficient light levels.
* Shooting Style/Desired Look: Do you want a classic beauty shot with soft, even lighting? Or something more dramatic with defined shadows?
Common Sizes and Recommendations:
* 16-inch to 22-inch Beauty Dish:
* Best For: Headshots, beauty shots, close-up portraits, and situations where portability is key.
* Characteristics: Delivers a slightly harder, more contrasty light with more defined shadows compared to larger sizes. Light falloff is quicker. Good for creating focused lighting. More forgiving of small spaces.
* Considerations: Might be too small for full-length portraits unless you want a very specific effect. Can be a bit harsh on skin if used too close or without a diffuser sock.
* 23-inch to 28-inch Beauty Dish:
* Best For: Classic beauty portraits, half-body portraits, and general portraiture. A good all-around size.
* Characteristics: Provides a balance between soft and hard light. Still offers good directional control but softens shadows more than smaller dishes. A versatile choice.
* Considerations: Can be a little large for very small spaces.
* 30-inch to 36-inch Beauty Dish (or larger):
* Best For: Full-length portraits, group shots, and when you want very soft, even lighting.
* Characteristics: Produces very soft light with gradual shadows. Wider light spread illuminates a larger area.
* Considerations: Requires more power from your strobe. Less portable and harder to manage in small spaces. Less directional control, making it harder to avoid spill onto the background. Can be too soft for some tastes, losing definition in facial features.
General Guidelines:
* Headshots/Close-Ups: 16-inch to 22-inch
* Half-Body Portraits: 23-inch to 28-inch
* Full-Body/Group Portraits: 30-inch to 36-inch or larger
Additional Tips:
* Diffuser Sock: Using a diffuser sock over your beauty dish will soften the light even further, regardless of its size. This is a great option for achieving a smoother skin tone and reducing harsh shadows. Experiment with and without.
* Grid: A grid focuses the light, creating a more directional beam and reducing spill onto the background. This is useful for creating more dramatic lighting and separation from the background.
* Distance Matters: The distance between the beauty dish and your subject is just as important as the size of the beauty dish. Experiment with different distances to see how it affects the light.
* Test, Test, Test: The best way to determine the right size beauty dish for your needs is to experiment. Rent or borrow different sizes and see what works best for your style and the type of portraits you shoot.
* Parabolic Reflectors: While not technically beauty dishes, parabolic reflectors (like the Broncolor Para) can create a similar look with much greater reach and control due to their focusing capabilities. They are a larger investment, but often provide the most refined light.
In summary:
For most photographers doing general portraiture, a 23-inch to 28-inch beauty dish is a good starting point. It offers a versatile balance of softness and control. However, consider the type of portraits you shoot most often and the look you're trying to achieve when making your final decision.