Fellow photographers, this is a technical post just for you! Today I'm going to give you all of the details into how I capture my light and bright images. I love this style of photography because I feel like it preserves colors in their truest tones and looks timeless. If you're also aiming for classic images, keep reading for my favorite flash modifiers.

1. Umbrellas

The biggest thing I can recommend to any photographer looking for light and bright images is an umbrella. Umbrellas come in all shapes and sizes and are excellent for shaping the light from your flash. A good umbrella will spread the light from your flash while also softening it. By using an umbrella, your shadows will be less harsh than if you were using a large softbox, which doesn't allow the light to spread as effectively.

I personally have two sizes of white shoot-through umbrellas: a smaller 30 inch and a larger 60 inch. I like having two sizes with me at all times because it gives me options depending on the size of the venue.

2. MagMod

On my on-camera flash, I’m a huge fan of the MagMod system! They use magnets to connect different modifiers onto your flashes, which means they add a bit of weight to your camera, but I believe they're SO worth it because of how much better they make your photos. They're also really durable -- squishy and yet they feel nearly indestructible. I'm never worried about them getting permanently dirty or breaking because they're built so well.

Of the MagMod options, I use both the MagSphere and MagBounce. The MagSphere shapes your light in roughly a circular shape, making the flash power go up, out, and all around you. This shape of the diffuser is best used in rooms with lower white ceilings where you can bounce the light off multiple surfaces. This one is not as effective in an outdoor reception setting because you can’t bounce the flash off a dark sky, which means a lot of your flash power is being wasted!

The MagBounce is a stronger shaper of your light and will direct all the power at your subject. This can look overpowering in a small, well-lit venue, but it’s awesome for backyard receptions or large ballrooms with high ceilings or dark walls. I like the MagBounce better than just the white card on a flash unit because it focuses more power on your subject, while still softening the light.

3. Color-Correcting Gels

Finally, I have a set of color-correcting gels I use on my flashes for venues with mixed lighting types. Many venues are lit with orange-tinted, tungsten Bistro lights. And while this light can look really nice in person, when it mixes with your flash (which is naturally more blue-toned) the coloring in your photos can turn out a little crazy. That's where gels come in super handy! They allow you to change the color of your flash so that the room only has one color of lighting, rather than two.

My favorite gels are these ones which fit the Godox V1 speedlights. If you have a different flash, then try these instead.

I hope my tried and true methods will help you if you’re looking for new ways to get clean, bright photos! How do you like to get light and bright images? I love learning tricks from other photographers and testing out their techniques for myself.