Shaping and Controlling Studio Lights

Lighting modifiers are essential tools ( IMO they are more important than the actual lights themselves) for crafting the perfect shot in a lighting photography studio. These accessories work with your studio lights to shape and control the quality, direction, and intensity of light, giving photographers endless creative possibilities. Robbie Ewing, the owner of Arch Photo Studio is also a photographer – see the header image. You are using his equipment when you rent the studio and he loves a modifier, hence the large collection which is always being added to!

Softboxes

Softboxes diffuse photography light, creating a soft, even illumination that minimizes harsh shadows. They’re ideal for portrait and product photography, delivering a flattering and professional look. All studios should have these and we’re no exception. Square, Octobox, Strip, Round Parabolic and Lantern Softboxes can be seen in the top picture.

Beauty Dishes

Beauty dishes produce a focused, soft-ish light with subtle shadows. They add dimension and are a favourite in fashion and beauty shoots, enhancing facial features while maintaining softness. They come in various widths: 55cm, 70cm, and 100cm. We use our 100cm white one instead of a softbox most of the time, because the round catchlights it produces are much nicer compared to ones produced by our Octobox.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas are versatile tools for lights for studio setups. Reflective umbrellas bounce light for broader coverage, while shoot-through umbrellas soften and spread light for a natural feel, perfect for group or lifestyle shots. We use them pretty much all the time as reflective bounce lights with front diffusers on them. We do this because they act like softboxes, but are much easier to use with colour gels. The only downside is that you can’t put a grid on them.

Standard Reflector Diffusers

The standard 7-inch reflectors focus and direct studio light into a concentrated beam, providing greater intensity and control. They’re ideal for creating hard shadows or accentuating textures, making them a versatile choice for dynamic and dramatic lighting photography studio setups. We also have a larger Magnum and a Long Throw Reflectors which both throw hard light in a wider spread than the standard reflector.

Barndoors

Barndoors feature adjustable flaps that shape and direct photography light, allowing for precise control over spill and spread. They’re versatile tools for creating sharp-edged highlights or controlling light in complex lights for studio setups They are used in conjunction with standard reflectors.

Gobo Projectors

Gobos shape studio light into patterns, such as windows, foliage, or abstract designs. This creates dramatic effects and adds storytelling elements to your images. We use these all the time the time in the studio as they can kick precise amounts of light onto the subject or create interest on the background.

Fresnel Spotlight, Snoots, Gobo Spotlight

Spotlight modifiers provide a concentrated beam of light, allowing precise control over where the light falls. They’re perfect for creating high-contrast images or highlighting specific parts of a subject. All these kinds of modifers do the same thing with varying amounts of control on the width of the beam, the sharpness of the edge and the quality of the fall-off from light to dark on the edge.

A snoot narrows the spread of studio light into a tight, controlled beam. Perfect for highlighting details or creating dramatic spot effects, it’s ideal for adding precision and depth to your lighting photography studio work. It’s the simplest of the three

A Fresnel spot has a wider beam of light and concentrates the light more. The Gobo spotlight has an adjustable diaphragm for controlling the width of the spot and can also be focused.

Lantern Softbox

The lantern softbox disperses light in photography in all directions, producing an even, ambient glow. It’s great for filling spaces with soft light, making it a go-to choice for scenes needing natural, even illumination.

Diffusion Scrim Panels for studio lights

Diffusion scrim panels soften harsh studio light by spreading it evenly, reducing shadows and highlights. They are indispensable in lighting photography studio setups for creating gentle, flattering light on subjects or large surfaces. They have to be combined with another light source like a reflector or bare beauty dish.

Environmental Modifiers

The photography studio itself can act as a modifier. Walls and ceilings bounce studio light, softening it for a natural effect, while darker surfaces absorb light, creating moodier tones. Mirrors and reflective surfaces redirect photography light, adding dimension or highlights. These elements enhance creative control in lights for studio setups. I use the curved arch of the studio to bounce light for all my eCommerce photography for McCollin Bryan.

Reflectors / polyboards ( v-Flats for our American Readers)

Reflectors redirect existing light in photography, filling shadows or emphasizing details. Available in various finishes—like silver for crisp highlights or gold for warm tones – reflectors are simple yet powerful. We have a large round one and a curved silver panel both of which are ideal for beauty shoots, along with handheld one and 4 polyboards.

Grids / Honeycombs For Studio Lights

Grids ( also known as honeycombs ) are essential accessories that attach to lighting modifiers to control the spread of photography light. By narrowing the beam, grids reduce light spill and focus it on a specific area, creating precise, directional illumination. This makes them perfect for emphasizing subjects, shaping shadows, and adding depth in lighting photography studio setups. Whether used with softboxes, beauty dishes, or reflectors, grids provide exceptional control, helping photographers sculpt light in photography with accuracy.

How we help your Creative Photoshoots at Arch Photo Studio

Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, understanding these modifiers enhances your ability to control photography light and achieve stunning results. By experimenting with the tools available in our photography studio, you can unlock the full potential of your creative vision. When you hire our photo studio you get one lighting set up included and advice on the other modifiers you’ll need for the duration of the photoshoot. Alternatively, Robbie can be hired for a small additional fee to help for the duration of the shoot.