What are the differences between white and silver beauty dish: How to choose?

When it comes to shaping light, the beauty dish is an essential tool for many photographers. The choice between a white beauty dish or a silver beauty dish can have a significant impact on the final look of your shot.

If you want to capture soft, natural portraits or, on the other hand, more contrasty and dramatic images, choosing between a white or silver beauty dish will help you achieve the desired effect.

Discover the comparison between these two types of beauty dish and choose the one that best suits the style of photography you wish to create.

Why use a beauty dish to shape light?

Portrait and beauty photography is not just about good lighting! It also relies on the use of different light modifiers to create unique effects.

The beauty dish has become a must-have for portrait and fashion photographers due to its ability to control light and its great versatility. This modifier produces a harsher light than a softbox, enhancing texture and adding a more dramatic, cinematic effect.

This accessory is perfect for highlighting facial features by adding brightness and definition. It helps soften imperfections while creating relief and depth in the photos.

What is the difference between the white and silver beauty dish?

Beauty Dish White

The white beauty dish produces a softer, more even light, with a slightly lower contrast than the silver beauty dish. Why? Because its white interior reflects light in multiple directions, softening shadows and providing more uniform illumination on the subject.

The light emitted by a white beauty dish is particularly flattering for close-ups. It diffuses the light more subtly, softening textures, especially the skin. This creates a smoother, more aesthetic effect, bringing the lighting closer to a true “ideal of beauty.”

When doing portrait shots, the white beauty dish is more forgiving on the skin, as it offers soft light that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections. In contrast, the silver beauty dish tends to accentuate them.

The white version is, therefore, an essential choice for beauty photographers, especially those capturing images for skincare or beauty editorial photos.

Beauty Dish Silver

The silver beauty dish produces a more specular light, highlighting the highlights and details, thereby creating a stronger contrast compared to its white counterpart.

It allows you to achieve nearly one more f-stop thanks to the way it channels light. This increased brightness results in a more pronounced falloff, creating a more dramatic effect.

It is ideal when you want a stronger contrast and richer light, without resorting to harsher light modifiers like a Profoto Zoom reflector, for example.

The silver beauty dish is particularly well-suited for makeup photography, to highlight elements like glitter or emphasize texture and details. It is also commonly used for photographing athletes, to highlight muscles.

The silver version is often chosen when the photographer needs more power, for example, to balance the monobloc flash with natural sunlight during an outdoor shoot.

Which beauty dish to choose: White or Silver?

The choice of beauty dish mainly depends on the look you want to achieve.

The silver beauty dish is ideal for creating more dramatic and cinematic images. It produces a more contrasted light and highlights textures, making it an excellent choice for striking portraits or fashion shots that emphasize makeup details.

In contrast, the white beauty dish diffuses a softer and more even light. It is often favored for portraits because it softens the skin texture and reduces the appearance of imperfections. Its more flattering result is particularly appreciated in beauty and editorial photography, where natural and elegant lighting is sought.

Each photographer has their preferences based on the style they are aiming for and the desired outcome. We recommend experimenting with both versions to determine which one best suits your needs!