Studio setup question
Good Evening Folks,
As a primarily outside shooter (some low light, night club, non flash photography as well) I have the opportunity to setup shop in a studio. Other then cost, are there any major differences between using a softbox setup, as opposed to an umbrella light kit ? I could use the internet as a reference, but I'd rather hear it from the pros that actually use this equipment on a regular basis. Thank you :thumb
Have a good evening
Jim...
As a primarily outside shooter (some low light, night club, non flash photography as well) I have the opportunity to setup shop in a studio. Other then cost, are there any major differences between using a softbox setup, as opposed to an umbrella light kit ? I could use the internet as a reference, but I'd rather hear it from the pros that actually use this equipment on a regular basis. Thank you :thumb
Have a good evening
Jim...
0
Comments
Hi Jim!
I think there is. They both certainly have their place and use.
I tend to think of Soft-boxes giving me more light spill control, and I think umbrella when I know I need a wide light-wrapping source.
Of course, there are many variations on both umbrellas and soft-boxes.
For instance If I want to keep my light off of my BG, then I will not usually use an umbrella. But if you just need a wee bit of fill over ambient metered shot, then an umbrella can spill a nice wide source of light onto the scene. Umbrellas can be quite useful for larger group shots too, where you might use two or even three umbrellas.
HTH
Good Evening Tom,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Thank you for your input <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif" border="0" alt="" > I can actually get both types of lighting equipment (3 light setup) at a good price, but I was curious which would look better in print. I should have mentioned that the studio would be used mainly for portraits and small group shots, but then again, that's what a studio is used for <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif" border="0" alt="" ><?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shape style="WIDTH: 29.25pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" id=_x0000_i1026 alt="0" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/yelrotflmao.gif" src="file:///C:/Users/Jim/AppData/Local/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image002.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p>
Have a good evening <v:shape style="WIDTH: 11.25pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" id=_x0000_i1027 alt="0" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/icon10.gif" src="file:///C:/Users/Jim/AppData/Local/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image003.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p>
Jim...<o:p></o:p>
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softboxes (esp. grided ones) provide much better light control than umbrellas. Yet it comes at a price.
In general studio lighting is an expensive venture, the 80/20 rule applies in a weird way: you have to pay 80% more to get 20% better
It's been a general consensus that AlienBees (Paul C. Buff) provide the biggest bang for the buck, taking a uniquely sweet spot in studio gear chart. Pay anything less, and you get much worse, but to get any better you'd have to sell your firstborn.
Good Evening Nikolai,
Thank you for your input
Have a good evening
Jim...
Not all studio's...so saying what might appear to be the obvious is not a mistake!
What you are asking is which light source would create a pleasing coloration for print? or ??
If so, I think you're question is way beyond my simple knowledge.
From what little I know, even if you went the way of the old-masters and had a ceiling that opened into daylight and you then used reflectors to modify that light you'd have as good a light as can be had or bought.
When I think of light, and pleasing prints, I mostly think of proper amount of light, then modifying it to taste or setting, then color-balance. The only poor prints I have seen based on light/lighting have been poorly lit, and poorly WB.
I guess you're lucky then!
Not lucky, just fortunate
Have a good evening
Jim...
Have a good evening
Jim...
Thanks!
For portability, it's hard to beat an umbrella or umbrella variant. If you have the ability to keep the device set up, I prefer a softbox for the key light, but I generally use an umbrella for fill.
The Photek Softlighter is a very nice compromise between a softbox and a shoot-through umbrella. It can also be used as either a conventional reflective umbrella or shoot-through umbrella. This gives the system tremendous versatility. Setup is also faster than a conventional softbox. The Softlighter with the 8mm removable stem allows you to safely get very close to the subject.
Instead of an extremely large single softbox I prefer to use 2 - 36" x 36" softboxes, either stacked vertically or together horizontally, depending on the needs of the shot. The vertical configuration is nice for full-lenght and 3/4 length portraits, while the horizontal configuration gives a wider source for head shots and head-and-shoulders and 2-shots. I haven't perfected the stacking or spreading method so right now it requires a stand for each softbox and vertical stacking orientation is not very well aligned.
A softbox generally attaches to the studio flash head via a speedring. An umbrella generally attaches to either the studio flash head or to an umbrella bracket, as when you use the umbrella with a speedlight/speedlite.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I do use two of my 2'x4' as one large 4'x4' to create a "window light" as in here
http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/751940754_9RYAB-L.jpg
(sorry, the image is a tad on a NSFW side)
And yes, it requires two stands and two lights, but since I can also use them separately (which I do more often than not) it's not really a big deal.
Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated
Have a good evening
Jim...