Beauty dish 16" VS 21"

[myelphoto]

Im trying to get the experts on these beauty dish, my concern is will the larger diameter cover more lighting area as oppose to the smaller diameter? what would be perfect for half body shot ?

appreciate your time!

[The Loft Studios]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the 24".....
Most "Beauty Dishes" are 22" or 24".....
I'll use it for Head Shots and 1/2 or 3/4 Body Shots.
I've only used it on a handful of times for a Full Length.

If you happen to use Photogenics, I have 2 - 24" Mint Condition Beauty Dishes with Diffuser Fabric for $100.oo EA. (Sorry, I know that's a shameful plug.....LOL)

[PIC]

Originally Posted by myelphoto

Im trying to get the experts on these beauty dish, my concern is will the larger diameter cover more lighting area as oppose to the smaller diameter? what would be perfect for half body shot ?

appreciate your time!

Yes - larger dish means more area, more diffused shadows and therefore less power.
10 - 24 + inches are common.
Half body is like 10 - 20.
But it depends on your shadows wanted and power of your strobes.
If you check my Gallery ... the girl covering herself w gloves was a 10 inch
at 60 degrees to the left combined with North window light as fill.
You might consider ... A diffuser cap that can be removed.
This makes it an excellent large-diameter direct reflector.

An optional Grid Diffuser is also kool which attached to the front becomes a Softlite Reflector.

I use Bowens equipment. Very verstile.

EL

[myelphoto]

Thanks Mark and EL for the reponse, it just occured that adorama has a cheapo 16" beauty dish forn only 59 bucks while the photogenics about $180.... so for main light purpose I should go the 24" right

[PIC]

I would make sure the chepo brand is mountable and diffuser removable -
also can add grids and stuff.
Deals on reflectors are EBay.
I use bare bulb mostly - a carry over from my Avedon days ... so are the weird thoughts lol ...

EL

[The Loft Studios]

The 16", in my opinion is O.K. for "CLOSE" Head Shots ONLY, but for 1/2 - 3/4 or Full Length, I would definitely recommend a 22" or 24".

[The Philos]

These were shot with a 22" + fill light with an umbrella: