GETTING STARTED

What's a "Lighting Recipe?" What gear do I need?

Much like a cooking recipe, a "Lighting Every recipe will have a specific list of gear
Recipe" is a set of instructions that will lead "ingredients." Some of those ingredients
you to a particular result. They're not only a will be optional, like your specific choice of
great way to learn photography, they make lighting modifier. Others will be required.
it easy to "cook up" great photos. For example a two light setup will require
two off-camera flashes.
Think of these recipes as a starting place
for your creativity. Once you get the hang In addition to the lighting modifiers listed in
of things, just like you might tweak a recipe each Recipe's Ingredients, you will need
in the kitchen, you can adjust this lighting your camera, three off-camera flashes, and
recipe to suit your particular taste. a radio remote to control those flashes.
 MAGMOD FLASH MODIFIERS
One of the keys to lighting recipes is having flash modifiers that help you control and color your light. As we share
each of these recipes we will add information about which of these MagMod modifiers we used on our flashes. To find
out more about these modifiers, click on the images to be taken to their product pages.

MagSphere 2 MagSnoot 2 MagBox Pro Line

Instantly shapes your flash into a soft, This snoots collapsible design delivers Super fast zip on diffuser,
omni-directional bare-bulb light source precise control with 4 different beam integrated built in storage
that works perfectly as an on-camera or patterns making it easy to put light pocket, magnet attaching
off-camera diffuser. precisely where you want it. honeycomb grid, simple setup,
and an integrate gel slot make
these some of the most popular
soft boxes for photographers.

MagBounce 2 ProGel
Newly redesigned bounce modifier that These gels were redesigned to be faster
has been stripped down to it simplest and stronger than ever thanks to their
and most functional form. Perfect for new embedded magnet design and
group shots or for use on-camera. increased strength. Gelling your flash has
never been easier.

MagGrid 2 MagBeam
Provides you an optimized beam pattern The most versatile, unique and awesome
so you can control the light coverage and fresnel lens modifier ever created for
eliminate unwanted light spill. One very photographers. Create some unique
popular combo is to stack with patterns of light with the MagBeam
MagSphere 2. paired with MagMasks.
 LIGHT
STREAKS
DANIEL NYDICK

1
 DANIEL NYDICK
NEW YORK
Daniel Nydick is a prominent wedding
photographer based in Scotch Plains,
New Jersey. Renowned for his vibrant
and emotionally evocative style,
Nydick excels in capturing candid
moments that tell a compelling story.
Nydick's portfolio reflects his
dedication to service and creativity,
making him a highly sought-after
photographer for both local and
destination weddings.

@danielnydick
@dnpweddings

www.danielnydick.com
 INGREDIENTS
NOTES 2 Godox AD200s
For this creative lighting setup, he
EXTRA TIP
Yellow Pro Gel
placed two speedlights with round Magenta Pro Gel A couple key points to making
heads 2 feet behind the couple, this work. First, be sure you are
each with the modeling lamp on full using rear curtain sync. It is
power. One had a yellow gel angled found on every camera. The
at the bride, the other a magenta
THE SETUP reason its important here is
gel angled at the groom. Both because you want to make sure
flashes were fired using rear curtain 12 that after the movement the last
sync. 11 1 thing that is captured is the flash
PROGEL PROGEL
(MAGENTA) (YELLOW) lighting up the couple, just
With a 70mm lens, 1/8 sec shutter before the <shutter= closes.
10 2
speed, f/3.5 aperture, and ISO 200,
I captured streaks of the modeling Second, it9s often best to choose
lights by moving the camera in a a dark location to do these. Any
circular sweeping motion. The flash 9 3 ambient light nearby (like a
froze the couple, while the slow street light) will effect the photo
shutter and constant light created a because of your slow shutter
stunning 8light streaking9 effect. 8 4 speed and can cause ghosting.

A bonus: light trails from boats on Watch a related video by

the bay below added extra impact 7 5 Neil Redfern on YouTube
to the image. 6
GEL LAYERING

ELIUD GIL SAMANIEGO

2
ELIUD SAMANIEGO
MEXICO

Eliud Gil Samaniego is a renowned

photographer from Mexicali,
Mexico, specializing in wedding,
commercial, and nature
photography. With a background in
Mechatronics Engineering, he has
won several international awards
and serves as an ambassador for
Kodak, Tamron, and Nikon as well.

@eliud.photo
www.eliudgsm.com
youtube.com/c/eliudgilsamaniego
 THE SETUP
INGREDIENTS
EXTRA TIP
3 Flashes 12
Always keep an eye out for elements you can
1 w/ Green Pro Gel Behind 11 PRO GEL 1
1 w/ Red Pro Gel in Front (GREEN) include in the foreground of your shots.
1 in MagBox w/ Focus Incorporating a foreground, middle ground, and
Diffuser to light couple 10 2 background makes your photos more dynamic
and engaging. To elevate your images even
further, add color to two of these layers—such
as the foreground and background. This <color
9 3
sandwich= effect, with your subject in the
middle, creates a vibrant, eye-catching contrast
PRO GEL that instantly boosts the impact of your photos.
8 (RED) 4 It’s a simple yet powerful technique that
transforms ordinary shots into standout visuals.

7 5
6
NOTES
This setup involves three lights to create a layered effect with color and soft illumination. First, place one light with a MagMod gel behind
the couple. This light will provide a rich, colored backdrop, adding depth and flair to the scene. Then, position another light with a
complementary gel in front of the subject, directing it towards any foreground elements you want to highlight. The key is to use gels that
work well together, creating a harmonious splash of color that enhances the overall visual impact. For the couple, use a third light
equipped with a MagBox and focus diffuser positioned overhead. The MagBox will deliver soft, flawless lighting, ensuring the couple is
beautifully illuminated while keeping the light smooth and even.
FUNSET

IRINA DUANE

3
 IRINA DUANE
IRELAND
Irina Duane is a wedding
photographer based in Dungarvan,
Co. Waterford, capturing unique
weddings across Ireland. She loves
documenting the special moments of
a couple's big day, enjoying the
creativity and variety each event
brings. Irina values building
friendships with her clients and
treasures travel. Married with two
children, she shares her photography
journey and inspiration on Instagram.

@irinaduanephotography
www.irinaduanephotography.com
 THE SETUP

12
11 1
MAGSPHERE
+ FULL CTO
10 PRO GEL
2
(FULL CTO)

9 3

8 4
INGREDIENTS
Full CTO Pro Gel
7 5
1 MagSphere Behind 6
NOTES
For this recipe, you actually include your light in the shot. Right after the sun has set, I wanted to capture that warm rim glow behind the family
and recreate the effect of the sun on the horizon. To achieve this, I used a full CTO gel and a MagSphere on my flash. The CTO gel provides the
necessary color temperature, while the MagSphere diffuses the light, mimicking the look of the setting sun. This setup, aptly named <Funset,=
not only recreates a stunning sunset effect but also adds a playful touch when you turn the camera around and show your clients the behind-
the-scenes magic.
ALEX & DALI
BOUNCE
ALEX & DALI

4
 ALEX & DALI
PUERTO RICO

Alex and Dali, a San Juan-based

wedding photographer duo, are
celebrated for their artistry,
vibrant colors, and Lighting
Precision. Their award-winning
work has been featured in top
wedding publications, earning
them a reputation for excellence.
They deliver stunning, timeless
wedding photography.

@alexdaliweddings
alexdaliweddings.com

IMAGE BY ARNO DE BRUJIN

 BEHIND THE SCENES THE SETUP

12
11 1

MAGBOUNCE 10 2

9 3

8 4
INGREDIENTS
Flash
7 5
MagBounce
6
NOTES
When setting up lighting, softboxes are great for producing soft, even light. But in unpredictable weather—like strong winds on Puerto
Rico’s beaches—or fast-paced shoots, they can be a hassle. That’s where the MagBounce shines. It’s perfect for these conditions because
it offers soft, flattering light without the complications of a softbox. By positioning the MagBounce closer to your subject, you achieve
smoother transitions between light and dark areas due to the larger apparent size of the light source. One of our regular recipes is the
Overhead Boom Bounce, where one of us will hold the MagBounce just over the top of the our couple with the flash set to a low power.
It provides just the right amount of pop we are after.
<GRAND EXIT=
LIGHTING
JESSE & MOIRA LA PLANTE

5
 JESSE & MOIRA
LA PLANTE
COLORADO

Jesse and Moira La Plante are

husband and wife photographers
based in Colorado. The duo first
met in the Bahamas on Spring
Break their senior year of college
and have been photographing
weddings together for nearly two
decades since.

@j.laplante.photo
www.jlaplante.com
IMAGE BY ARNO DE BRUJIN
 THE SETUP
INGREDIENTS
12
2 Flashes
11 1
Flash Behind (Unmodified)
Flash Overhead w/ MagSphere
10 2

9 3
EXTRA TIP
The key here is maintaining the same distance between your flashes
and subjects as they walk. This means you have to track backward
while photographing and your assistant holding the backlight needs to
8 4
follow the couple as well. If the couple is walking fast or running, you
might also benefit from stopping down to f/5.6 or further to give
7 5 yourself a bit more margin for error in focusing.
6
NOTES
For an epic send-off, we fire up two lights to create a scene that pops. Place a bare flash 5-6 feet behind the couple to backlight the bubbles (or
smoke, confetti, streamers, etc.) Then, set up a second light with a MagSphere, held high on an 8' pole by the photographer, to light the couple.
This setup is our go-to for send-offs, but if we want extra soft light on the couple, we'll sometimes switch out the MagSphere for a MagBox. For
an extra burst of flair, we might throw a Creative Gel on the backlight to add a splash of vibrant color in the background.
COMPOSITE
GROUP
SONDRA LARAY MILTENBERGER

6
SONDRA LAYRAY
MILTENBERGER
MICHIGAN
Sondra is an award winning wedding
photographer based out of Michigan.
She has always had one goal in mind:
capture LIFE, real raw emotions,
candid moments, photos that when
you look back on them make you feel
what you felt in that moment. Sondra
Laray’s Photography is committed to
capturing emotion first but also
creating fine art wedding portraits
with the use of creative lighting for a
more artistic and dramatic feel.

@sondralaraysphotography
sondralaraysphotography.com
 BEHIND THE SCENES THE SETUP

12
11 1

MAGBOX
10 2

9 3

8 4

7 5
6
NOTES
INGREDIENTS
MagBox Pro 24 Octa This innovative lighting technique involves individually lighting each subject with the MagBox Pro 24"
Octa and then merging the photos in post-processing. By doing so, you achieve a uniquely illuminated
group shot that stands out. Capture each subject separately, a process taking just a few seconds per
person. Once all shots are taken, in post processing merge them into a single composite image (it takes
less than 5 minutes), resulting in a seamlessly lit group photo with dynamic lighting effects.
FOUNDATION
LIGHT
WES SHINN

7
 WES SHINN
NORTH CAROLINA

A former military photo

journalist, Wes specializes in
capturing impactful wedding
moments with unique lighting
and angles. He has been a
professional photographer for 17
years and has shot as the main
photographer for about 150
weddings.

@w.shinn

@wshinn

Wes Shinn Photography

www.wesshinn.com
 THE SETUP
BEHIND THE SCENES
12
11 1

MAGSPHERE XL
10 2

9 3

8 4

7 5
6

NOTES
I used one light stand positioned about 30 degrees to the camera-right, set 9 feet high and
INGREDIENTS angled down toward the couple from about 6 feet away. A Godox AD200 was equipped with a
Godox AD200 light Reflector XL, topped with the MagSphere XL to modify the light beautifully. I captured this shot
Reflector XL with the GFX 100 II and a 110mm f2 lens. The flash was set to 1/8 power. With settings at ISO 200
MagSphere XL and f/8, I could showcase more of the stunning background. I call it Foundation Light, because
its usually where I start on every shoot, and then build from there.
WALL POP

ARNO DE BRUJIN

8
ARNO DE BRUJIN
NETHERLANDS

Arno de Bruijn is a renowned

photographer and educator
specializing in creative lighting
techniques, particularly with off-
camera flash. He offers a variety of
online workshops through his
#BeCreative Academy, aimed at
enhancing photographers' skills in
using flash and creating impactful
images. His work has earned him
numerous awards, and he is
recognized for his unique and
innovative photographic style.

@arnodebruijn
www.patreon.com/arnodebruijn
www.arnodebruijn.online
 BEHIND THE SCENES THE SETUP

PRO
12GEL
(MAGENTA)

11 1
INGREDIENTS
Profoto A1 Flash
Magenta Pro Gel 10 2

PRO GELS 1/4 CTO Pro Gel

PRO GEL
(1/4 CTO)

9 3

8 4

7 5
6
NOTES
Every wall can be a dynamic backdrop with the right setup. For a quick and creative image, you only need two speedlights and a few
MagMod Pro gels. With these gels, you can stack colors to create new, vibrant hues. For this setup, we placed a speedlight one yard from
the wall and combined a MagGel Pink with a MagGel Lavender to cast a stunning purple hue on the wall. To make the Bride and Groom
pop, we used a second speedlight with a MagGel Pro 1/4 CTO gel aimed at them. I shot this at 1/160 sec, f8.0, and ISO 100. This is an easy
setup that you can accomplish at nearly every shoot.
SHOOT THRU
LIGHTING
TONI DARCY

9
 TONI DARCY
ENGLAND
Toni is one of the UK’s leading female
photographers and has been shooting
weddings for over a decade. As an educator
providing regular workshops, she’s
passionate about photographers reaching
their full potential. She takes pride in fully
investing in all of her couples by
documenting natural reactions and
emotions in the most creative way possible
to tell their true love story. With experience
in the UK and destination weddings in Italy,
France, Spain and the USA, Toni cherishes
the significance of photographs as
treasured memories.

@tonidarcy
Youtube @tonidarcy
https://tonidarcy.co.uk/
 BEHIND THE SCENES THE SETUP

INGREDIENTS 12
11 1

10 2

PRO GEL
9 (FULL CTO) 3

8 4
INGREDIENTS
1 Flash + MagGrid + CTO
7 5
1 Flash + MagGrid x2 +
6
ND Filter

NOTES
I’ve used flash (A) to light the model with a MagGrid and a Full CTO MagGel, creating warm, controlled lighting on the subject. For the rainbow
effect, I used a second flash (B) with 2 x MagGrids and a MagGel ND filter to light the CD that I was holding in front of the lens. This setup allows
the CD to reflect and disperse light into a spectrum of colors, adding a dynamic and creative element to the shot. The combination of precise
lighting on the model and the colorful rainbow effect in the foreground results in a striking and visually engaging image.
RING OF FIRE
W/ NO RING
CHRISTIAN CARDONA

10
CHRISTIAN CARDONA
COLOMBIA

Christian Cardona is an award-

winning wedding and school
photographer, portraitist, and graphic
designer from Colombia. With over
25 years of experience, he captures
and preserves cherished moments,
turning clients' ideas into lifelong
memories. He has also been a
photography teacher for more than
15 years, delivering over 100
workshops and conferences
worldwide.

@christiancardonap

www.christiancardona.co
 BEHIND THE SCENES THE SETUP

12
11 1

PRO GEL
10 2
PRO GEL
(CTO)

9 3
INGREDIENTS
2 Flashes
CTO Gel of Choice on
Rim Light Flash 8 4
MagBox 24 Main Light
Cheap UV Filter on Lens
7 5
6
NOTES
For this setup, grab a UV filter. Having a cheap UV filter with defects on the rimmed edges works
best. MagMod gels, and 2 or 3 flashes. Position one or two flashes as backlights, each equipped
with a gel, and aim them directly at your lens to create striking lens flares. Use the remaining flash
as your key light to illuminate the subject. This approach gives you dramatic and colorful flares
while keeping your main subject perfectly lit.
Note the cheap UV filter on lens
 E!
IP
EC
SPLIT
R
S
U
LIGHTING
N
O
B

TREVOR DAYLEY

BONUS
 TREVOR DAYLEY
ARIZONA
Award-winning photographer and
educator, Trevor Dayley, has been
married for 24 years and is a proud
father of six. Renowned for his
mastery of all things MagMod, Trevor
excels in teaching photographers how
to control, shape, color, and modify
light. With over 500 weddings under
his belt, Trevor continues to capture
stunning moments and share his
lighting expertise with the
photography community.

@trevordayley
www.trevordayley.com

IMAGE BY ARNO DE BRUJIN

NOTES THE SETUP
For this shot, I aimed to create edgy lighting
12
for some wrestling media day photos. I set up
a MagBox Pro 42” Octa box to the left of the 11 1
subject and had him turn his shoulders
slightly toward it. This positioning ensured 10 2
PRO GEL
more light on his body, preventing it from INGREDIENTS (RED)

getting lost in the shadows. Next, I positioned 2 Flashes

a second light lower to the ground, behind 1 MagBox Pro 42" Octa
9 3
and to the right of the subject, using a 1 Reflector XL
Reflector XL with a Red Dome Gel. This light 1 Red Dome Gel
added a touch of illumination on his back,
helping to separate his body from the dark 8 4
background. I shot from the short side of the
face, focusing on the shadow side for a
7 5
dramatic effect.
6

EXTRA TIP
To achieve different degrees of facial lighting, have your subject step an inch or two closer to or away from you. As they
move closer, less of their face will be lit, creating more shadow. Conversely, as they move further away, more light will
illuminate their face, resulting in a brighter look.
 YOU DESERVE IT...
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Hope you picked up some new lighting recipes to use on
your next shoot! If you realized along the way that you
need more MagMod modifiers to achieve the look you’re
after, here’s a special coupon code just for you.

Coupon Code: Recipe10

MORE INSPIRATION
For even more inspiration, be sure to check out two of our
MagMod online social communities. First, join our Facebook Group
called <The MagMod Community,= where over 100,000
Community
photographers share their images and setups using
MagMod.

Second, follow us on Instagram, where we collaborate daily

@magnetmod with photographers from around the world, showcasing
their work and how they use MagMod modifiers.