Three Ways to Use a Magnum Reflector Hard Light Modifier
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- In this video I’m going to introduce you to the Magnum reflector light modifier and how I use it to create hard light portrait and fashion images.
A Magnum reflector creates bright and crisp illumination on your subject and I find that it’s a great choice if you want to highlight features or create the look of sunlight in the studio.
The brand of Magnum reflector I use is from Profoto and I really like this one because you can zoom the reflector to control the overall focus of light.
You might ask, what’s the difference between using a silver beauty dish for example versus this type of reflector?
For one, a beauty dish bounces the light back into the reflector before discharging it, thus creating a bit of diffusion in the spread. The Magnum reflector has no such “double bounce” - it just throws as much light out from the bare bulb as possible, and because it’s such a concentrated beam of light, it creates really bright results.
Comparative to other modifiers, the Magnum reflector may have up to 1 stop brighter light.
Just like other hard light modifiers, the Magnum reflector also has accessories, such as a sock (aka diffusion) and a grid to help with the spread and quality of light.
When to use:
While objectively there is not “right” or “wrong” way to use a modifier, I’m going to outline a few instances where I’d use the Magnum.
👉️ To create a sunlight look
As discussed above, the magnum reflector is great for throwing out focused hard light, so it’s really ideal for emulating natural or sun kissed light.
👉️ Emphasizing features
The quality of light that this reflector produces is great for carving out and emphasizing features because it has more defined shadow edges.
If the intention of my shoot is to have more defined results in the subject’s face for example, I’ll reach for this light modifier to create more drama - which is especially useful for fashion and beauty.
👉️ Vintage style
Many of the vintage style photographs (think old Hollywood) use hard and very defined light. To achieve this vintage portrait style I use some diffusion with the reflector to create defined but somewhat softened light. This creates porcelain skin effect that comes out really nice when converted to black and white.
While a Magnum reflector may be less common than a softbox or beauty dish, it can still be a great addition to your kit and a great way to play around with hard light.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this video, please give it a like and leave a comment below if you’ve shot with hard light. I’d love to hear about your experience! 👍️
If you’d like to see more videos like this be sure to subscribe and turn your notifications on! 😁
Gear used in this video 📸
Profoto Magnum Reflector: adorama.rfvk.net/mvmbO
Profoto Silver Reflector - adorama.rfvk.net/g7DKg
Profit Zoom Reflector - adorama.rfvk.net/JAqEq
Profoto 10 Degree Grid - adorama.rfvk.net/zv9Yx
Profoto D1 - adorama.rfvk.net/azKqR
Profoto D2 - adorama.rfvk.net/qvB7y
Canon 5d iv - adorama.rfvk.net/3aJnn
Canon 24-105mm lens - adorama.rfvk.net/KG0ne
Savage Seamless Paper - Blue Jay - adorama.rfvk.net/qq67Y
Savage Seamless Paper - Fashion Grey - adorama.rfvk.net/9ZeX3
I'd like to thank Adorama for partnering with me to bring you this video.
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Website: lindsayadlerphotography.com
Instagram: / lindsayadler_photo
Facebook: / lindsayadlerphotography
Twitter: / lindsayadler
Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Learn to Master Studio Lighting: lindsayadler.photo/msl-you
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
![3 Foolproof Beauty Lighting Setups [That use my favorite modifier!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ziFLl6LAcB8/mqdefault.jpg)
I am glad I met you and the courses has been great. Hope you enjoy the weekend and wish you great success at the workshop.
Love the class and jewelry. Glad I did something similar with fashion jewelry. Have fun at the Feb workshop.
Watching these course has made my knowledge of photography and lighting much better. Thanks.
By far the best lighting instructor you can find on CZcams 🍃 look no further
Aw thank you so much!
Get more useful info in almost 4 minutes about this modifier than most photographic educators can do in 2 hours. Lindsay, you are my Go-To person for studio lighting for that little extra that makes a difference Thank You for what you do!
Many thanks for sharing expertise. Plus having additional courses on website for business or portfolio.
Wow. I just love it when true professionals are soooo generous with their knowledge and insight. I really like, too, how you don't limit yourself to the typical trendy approaches. None of these shots use a wide open aperture, and you don't fall for the "conventional wisdom" that hard light is bad light. Fantastic video.
STRACHS After following Lindsay so closely it looks super weird and bizarre and out of place to me when I see studio photographs with wide apertures…
Great video. Tons better than the branded Profoto videos and about 80% shorter with no banal dialogue. Amazing content and straight to the point.More please!!
another super helpful and concise video from Lindsay. Thank you!
Thank you!
Beautiful photos. I will try a reflector like that soon.
Thanks lindsay for Sharing valuable tips.
Great little video with some good idea's , love your work Lindsay keep these videos coming x
Always love watching your creativity at work!!! Looking forward to seeing you in a few days at Profusion in Toronto!
Wonderful images! I´ve got to try this out sometime! Thanks!
Bravo !!! So much to learn ... your creativity is endless 👏🏼
Master of the hard light!
SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST VIDEOS
நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR- INDIA,* CHENNAI
Great video, keep more material comin!. I've learned so much watching your concise video's!
Thank you very much !I was just thinking of possibly buying one and your video really got me into getting one!
Thank you I have to try it. You give great instructions.
Loved this video - just what I was looking 4
Great one. Thanks
Excelente !!!
Im going to give this a go tomorrow - stoked - thank you!
Have fun!
I enjoyed the bts video and image of where everything was in the studio
Thanks ;-)
Great! Thanks!
I love a nice, sharp shadow, so I work with hard light whenever I can. These are great, and I'm definitely going to play around with that vintage look.
Vielen Dank! 👌
Very cool, thank you! I loved both looks and especially the black-and-white!
I kinda expected to see you shooting with the EOS R.
I switch between the two.
@@lindsayadlerphoto - Me too, but I find that I haven't used the 5D Mk4 much this year. Can't wait for a dual-card-slot version of the EOS R to be released, then I'll be completely mirrorless!
Thanks for sharing, not a lot of off camera flash tutorials on CZcams @rc1photography
Thanksssssss
👍🌷
Hello Lindsay, just wondering if you can explain how much over exposure you used for the porcelain skin look.The f stops on each light and where did you create this b&w look, Capture one Lightroom PS? Thanks for your videos very inspiring and led me to your learning site to get additional works.
I swear by the magnum reflector
Hey, just wondering where you got the sock for the Magnum reflector seen in this video, I can't seem to find one anywhere. Thanks,
Great tips as always. I just received my magnum reflector. I also like the way you display your reflectors on the wall…would you mind sharing what hardware hooks you used? Thank you, Greg
stay tuned... sooooon im releasing!
I love love love your videos. Its amazing to watch your photoshoot. I want to shoot in hard light in black and white (Like in old Indian movies or old Indian heroines portraits) but I got only speed lights. Can I achieve it with speed lights. Of course it wont be like using Pro lighting but for fun its ok. I am not professional photographer its my hobby
Thank you so much! And yes you can achieve hard light photos with speedlites! They might not kick out as much power or be as consistent between shots as the battery dies down but you totally can! Light is light! Hard light is about creating shadows for one, so take the time to experiment with positioning your lights in ways that can emphasize those crisp shadows on hour subjects. You might want to check out my hard light recipe guide that I just released as well! lindsayadler.photo/hard-light-guide
@@lindsayadlerphoto Thank you
fantastic video, how many inches across is the magnum reflector?
Not really sure. That info is likely on the website. :)
I’m in need of this modifier! But I have a lot of modifiers and two strobes and they’re all Bowens mount. Is there any way I can use This on a Bowens mount?
im sure there is a Bowen mount magnum reflector! I found a few quickly in a google search!
Hey Lindsay - been following you for 4-5 years. Have you ever shot medium format? I bought a Hasselblad X1D a couple of years ago to add to my Nikon's - mostly in the area of portrait and landscape (yeah expensive for sure) but I find the M/F images to be noticeably better than the 35 mm particularly in color reproduction and dynamic range. Thoughts?
Dynamic range is great, but if you are shooting in the studio and you want more shadow detail, you just add a light. So for studio stuff there is benefit but not nearly as much as if you are shooting location.
I usually shy away from hard light as my key. I feel comfortable using it for shape in various ways, but can't seem to control it well enough as a key light. Lindsay - do you find these each of these three effects best served by any specific aperture? Even when I meter it seems like I'm consistently overexposing when using my magnum and I have to then walk it back by eye to find something workable.
Its not really an aperture thing. Its all about distance, height, and exposure. I'd maybe try using a sock/diffusion if you find yourself struggling.
@@lindsayadlerphoto Thank you very much. I'll try adjusting those variables.
in the sunny look, how did you get the golden color? in post? i didn't see gels on the reflector.
Changed the white balance to cloudy for a warmer look. Gels would not do the same thing. :D
Can you explain how you have the D2 flat front light in a dome shape where it is protruding from the body of the D2? (1:15) I believe that is the only way to use the older magnum modifiers. It's the same one I have but it is only good for profoto lights that protrude.Thank you in advance and for your videos.
x2
Its an accessory you can buy and is made by Profoto. Can switch out the flat head with this glass dome on the B1, B1x, D1, D2 series lights. Comes in handy to try to give a better spread of light, but in my experience does not totally replicate the exposed bulb of the Acute or Pro heads. It does help though when using the old style Magnum and Soft Light reflector. Here is is: profoto.com/ca/products/accessories/consumables/glass-covers/glass-cover-for-flat-front
@@brettida3936 Thank you> I appreciate this very much. I figured, since the bulb doesn't end up inside the dome like the Acute or a Pro. Either way, never had seen it before.Thanks again.
MNA7movie no problems!!
You can definitely buy the dome and add in. The light is probably a bit smoother with the dome, but for the most part the different is not a huge deal. You can use it either way.
Hi! Where can you get that diffuser sock for Magnum reflector? Never seen one before. Thanks!
I just use the one for the beauty dish. :D
Thanks for the reply! Oh, but in the video it seems like a perfect fit! My Profoto beauty dish diffuser is way too big for Magnum. Did you use some other brand BD diffuser or what kind of sorcery you're doing? :D
@@snowfake5511 just clip or tape it... will be fine. ;D
I wish I could mount this to me Alien Bee
The images @0:14 and @2:03 show a lot of shine on the model's skin, but the ones @2:36 have much less, and the ones with sock @3:08 have almost none.
Is the shine mostly because of the Magnum Reflector and the angle it was positioned at, or (sorry if this is creepy) was it because of oily or moist skin?
Which Magnum reflector is this? It looks like the 50 degree one.
profoto.com/ca/products/light-shaping-tools/reflectors/hard-reflectors-226c6935/magnum-reflector
I have a link in the caption.
@@lindsayadlerphoto the link sends you to the OCF reflector not the one you were using
Thanks for the catch. We had the wrong one -- it's been fixed. ;)
Looks like a LOT of post work done on these images.
it all depends on your definition of a lot. I'd honestly say medium.