The size of your light does matter!

Size: I have often written about the influence that the size of your light will have on your image. My Back to Basics book will lay out these differences in great detail. In short, small light sources will lead to a harsher quality of light than a larger source placed the same distance from your model. This little bit of information plays a great role in my decision to use a particular light modifier.


I usually want to use a large light source for white garments. The larger light modifier spreads the light over a broader area and has less contrast, so the light is more even. The highlight created by the light is not as intense and it is easier to maintain the detail in white clothes.
Model: Tasha






In contrast, I like the smaller lights when I want to use shadows to accentuate an outfit. For example, I will go to a Small Stripdome if my model brings a dress or a gown with a lot of folds. The small Stripdome adds a nice bit of contrast without the possibly brash feel of a spotlight. The shadows created really show the dress’ lines and design. However, I do not want the images to have so much contrast that I lose detail in those same shadows. I normally use a much larger softbox behind the camera. I set this light to provide one stop less light than the Stripdome. The half-stop fill that the large box adds keeps the needed detail in the dress while allowing the smaller light to dominate the look and feel of the image.

Model: Mapuana (Image From my book Softbox Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers)