What is a High-Output Beauty Dish?

Conventional beauty dishes project a very wide angle and low efÂficiency light output when used with or without a diffusing sock. A direct-light blocking shield is generally necessary because the direct light from the flashtube is very bright in comparison to the light reflected from the white surface of the dish.
The 22Ó High-Output Beauty Dish is designed to project a narrow 45¡ beam angle, with about six times the efficiency of a convenÂtional dish. This allows for lighting subjects from greater distances with low power flash units, and allows using the reflector with or without the direct-light blocker. It also results in a more selective area of coverage when used closer to the subject.

Using the Silver 22HOBD for maximum specularity

Because of its geometry, the Silver Beauty Dish provides a someÂwhat higher degree of shadow softening and the finish allows more specularity than white dishes. Even more specular response can be achieved by using the Beauty Dish without the included direct-light blocker. Because of its very high efficiency, the ratio of direct to reflected light is much lower in comparison to a conventional beauty dish. Thus, when using the Beauty Dish without the direct-light blocker, the result is a small center light source (the flashtube) surrounded by a 22Ó circle of reflected light. This use results in enÂhanced reflections from shiny objects such as sequins, jewelry, etc., and achieves maximum ÒpopÓ.

Using the White 22HOBD-W for soft, even coverage

Enjoy the same high-output design of the Silver Beauty Dish, but with a softer finish. The White Beauty Dish produces smooth skinÂtones and even coverage that can only be achieved on the Silver Beauty Dish by adding the diffusion sock. Great for indoor portraits to create warmer skintones, or shimmery fabric where bright highÂlights on areas of the subject tend to be more distracting.

Using the direct-light blocker for modest specularity

By attaching the included direct-light blocker, only light bounced from the reflector falls on the subject while the direct light from the flashtube is blocked. This reduces the degree of reflections from shiny ÒspecularÓ objects. For example, a sequin dress would produce less reflection with the direct-light blocker than without the blocker.

Using the included DS22R diffusion sock

Attaching the diffusion sock converts the Beauty Dish into the equivalent of a round softbox with outstanding evenness across the face of the diffusion fabric. This widens the angle of coverage to about 150¡ and lowers the output by only about 1 f-stop. It also minimizes specularity in the Silver Beauty Dish, creating approxiÂmately the same photographic result as the White Beauty Dish.

Mounting the Beauty Dish

Retract the four retaining fingers by squeezing the levers on top of the light (AlienBees) or sliding the lever on the bottom of the light over to the release position (White Lightning and Zeus). Remove any mounted reflector, and replace with the Beauty Dish ensuring all four of the fingers are securely inside the reflector, and release the lever(s).

The Beauty Dish is designed to mount only onto Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights (White Lightning, AlienBees, and Zeus) or other lights using the Balcar standard mounting mechanism.

Installing the direct-light blocker

When mounting the reflector, align the small hole in the reflecÂtor with the umbrella holder. The reflector comes with a smaller metal disc, a threaded shaft, and a screw with a star-shaped lock washer. Pass the screw through the hole in the metal disc, thread it into the shaft, and tighten. Pass the shaft through the hole in the reflector and into the umbrella holder. Once the desired position is achieved, tighten the umbrella screw to hold the shaft in place. We recommend positioning the light-blocking disc approximately 1Ó to 2Ó from the model lamp.

Which is the ÒproperÓ use?

As with any light modifier, there is no ÒrightÓ or ÒwrongÓ use. ItÕs up to the photographer to use the light and modifier as best suits his intended purpose.
Generally, one should consider using the Beauty Dish without the direct-light blocker for lighting from a distance. Because of its very high output in this mode, the Beauty Dish is an ideal tool for weddings, etc. and for high key studio lighting with the light placed around 7-20 feet from the subject. For closer, more intimate lightÂing, using the diffusion sock will allow wider coverage and lower specularity, while using the Beauty Dish without the sock will result in more selective lighting and higher output. This use may be chalÂlenging when higher power flash units are used due to the very high output of the Beauty Dish.