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How to Master Beauty Dish Portrait Lighting (Step-by-Step Guide)

12/10/2025 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments


When the goal is to carve out cheekbones and add three-dimensional depth to a portrait, the beauty dish stands in a league of its own. Unlike the broad wash of a softbox, a 24-inch beauty dish provides a precise mixture of softness and definition. 

This video breaks down how to find the "sweet spot" to sculpt facial features and elevate your lighting game.


The magic lies in understanding the relationship between distance and diameter. By placing the light 24 inches from the subject, you create a rapid fall-off that hollows out cheeks and defines bone structure. 

From mastering butterfly lighting to manipulating the inverse square law for a high-fashion aesthetic, this video covers the essential techniques for using a beauty dish effectively.

Images and video via Westcott Lighting | Joel Grimes

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