In studio lighting, parabolic reflectors are well known and have been around for many years.  If you’ve ever seen a professional studio setup and noticed what looks like a ridiculously huge umbrella-like modifier on set, chances are you’ve seen a parabolic reflector. While traditionally in the domain of the pro studio photographer, manufacturers are creating very exciting alternatives for deep parabolics that make them imminently more accessible (i.e. affordable) for anyone who would like to own one.  

When planning a studio portrait session for a friend or client, we often can get bogged down with concerns of the specific gear we will need to create a look we’re trying to achieve.  We may find that we don’t have the gear on hand to produce that ‘big soft light’ or perhaps we feel compelled to make things somewhat more difficult than they need to be. 

Portrait lighting is so much more than getting the light ‘correct’. It’s about creating a particular look through the lighting modifiers used.  Some modifiers are designed to produce a very soft, shadow-filling type of look.  Others produce a much harder light that accentuates texture and create a sense of drama. 

Aperture is a professional photo management and editing system from Apple, and has become popular with many photographers over the years. Recently Apple has indicated that no further development of this software will occur.  While there is the possibility of medium term support of the software (such as OS compatibility), we should not expect the software to grow beyond it’s current form.  

When creating portraits, or any other kind of lighted work for that matter, your approach to lighting your subject can have a significant effect on the overall mood of the finished shot.  Your subjects can be very softly lit for a flattering, very low contrast result.  Or you can go for something with more drama and contrast to evoke a mode in line with that aesthetic.

Welcome to the inaugural entry of the ‘On the Road to Great Light’ blog. This blog will serve as a platform to share ideas, tips, tricks and techniques for lighting your subjects. I hope you will find it informative and entertaining – and most of all, inspire you to create your own photographic works of art.