Steve Brazill Explores StellaPro Reflex Optics: Unveiling the StellaPro Optics Secrets
with Steve Brazill
In the realm of photography and lighting, understanding the nuances of different equipment is key to mastering the art. Steve Brazill, a seasoned photographer, took it upon himself to delve into the intricate world of lighting optics with StellaPro's Reflex model.
His in-depth exploration provides a captivating look into how these optics influence light dispersion patterns, shedding light on their potential impact on your photography.
StellaPro Reflex Optics
Spot Optic: A Focused Brilliance
The spotlight optic, with its narrow 12-degree spread, created an intense center of light that quickly faded away. Steve found that a reduction of 2.6 stops was needed in post-processing to eliminate clipping, revealing a slight overexposure with this optic.
Medium Optic: Balancing Brightness
Transitioning to the medium optic with a 24-degree spread, Steve observed a more balanced light distribution. To prevent clipping, he had to reduce the shot exposure just .2 That's 2.4 stops difference (less light) than the Spot Optic.
Medium Wide Optic: Spreading the Glow
Opting for the medium-wide optic boasting a 36-degree dispersion, Steve noticed a further expansion of the lit area. The light and fade appeared more uniform. Compared to the Spot, which started at +2.6 over exposed and clipping, this was a 3.6 stop difference lower than the Spot.
Medium Wide Optic: Spreading Warmth
The medium-wide optic, featuring a 36-degree spread, provided a broader spread of light, resulting in a warmer, more expansive illumination. Steve carefully balanced the exposure to capture the intricacies of this optic's effect.
Wide Optic: Embracing Evenness
The wide optic, featuring a 65-degree dispersion, provided a noticeably even light spread. In contrast to the spot optic, Steve raised the exposure by 2.3 stops, showcasing the significant variation in brightness between these two optics.
Dome Diffuser: The Gentle Illuminator
Transitioning to the dome diffuser, the light maintained its even distribution. However, this option yielded a slightly darker output. Steve increased the exposure by 3.8 stops to maintain detail without clipping, highlighting a distinction of 1.5 stops compared to the wide optic.
Going Optic-Free: Bare Essentials
Curiosity led Steve to explore the outcome of using the bare light, without any optic or diffuser. This produced an even distribution, but with a touch more brightness. He lowered 3.6 stops to the exposure to counter clipping, exposing a unique facet of the StellaPro Reflex's versatility. A Real-World Canvas: The Wall Test With a desire to explore the real-world implications of these optics, Steve directed his investigations towards a block wall. His meticulous approach involved maintaining the backdrop and light parameters, while altering the exposure settings to match the new environment. The results mirrored his earlier findings against the black backdrop, showcasing how the optics performed in a more lifelike setting.
From Backdrop to Human: Illuminating Portraits
Steve's explorations took an exciting turn as he ventured into portraiture. He used himself as the model to assess the optics' impact on human subjects. Taking into account the previous findings, Steve adjusted exposure settings to capture the nuances of each optic.
Spot Optic: Focused Drama
Starting with the spot optic, Steve showcased a focused light pattern, producing dramatic highlights and quick fades. The exposure was adjusted to maintain detail in the shadows and highlights.
Medium Optic: Gentle Balance
Transitioning to the medium optic, Steve demonstrated a more balanced and even light distribution across his face and body. By adjusting exposure settings, he maintained the integrity of the shot while accommodating the optic's influence.
Wide Optic: Embracing Softness
The wide optic offered a beautifully soft and even distribution of light. Steve adjusted exposure settings to reveal the subtleties of this optic's unique quality.
Diffuser Dome and Optic-Free: Subtle Variations
Moving to the diffuser dome and ultimately to the bare optic, Steve unraveled the subtleties of these options in portraiture. Each optic or lack thereof played a role in crafting the light's character, offering photographers a rich palette of creative possibilities.
Harnessing the Power of Optics
Steve Brazill's thorough investigation into StellaPro's Reflex optics serves as a comprehensive guide for photographers seeking to master light manipulation. Through meticulous testing and keen observation, he unveils the secrets of how different optics influence light's behavior, allowing photographers to make informed decisions to achieve their artistic visions. As Steve concludes his exploration, he leaves behind a trail of insights that will undoubtedly illuminate the path for both aspiring and seasoned photographers alike.
About Steve Brazill
Steve Brazill is a Southern California based live music photographer, and the host of the Behind
the Shot Podcast. Photographing concerts as the “House Photographer” for a number of
venues, as well as for 96.7 KCAL FM, where he is also on-the-air, Steve combines his love of
music & photography to tell the viewer the story of a show. His goal is to bring to life those
defining moments that happen on-stage or behind-the-scenes.
"These lights are pretty awesome. In constant mode these are not your usual week modeling light, I was able to use the constant light to aim the light accurately to measure what I actually needed"
