Soft box vs. Umbrella
ecphotoman
Registered Users Posts: 109 Major grins
I don't have very much experience with studio lights. I'm looking to buy a set from Adorama.
Is it more of a preference or are they purpose oriented accessories?
I don't know any better so of you guys could tell me more about both I would greatly appreciate it.
Is it more of a preference or are they purpose oriented accessories?
I don't know any better so of you guys could tell me more about both I would greatly appreciate it.
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For portrait shots I really prefer the look of the umbrella octo spectral catch-light in the eye rather than the square / rectangular spectral of softboxes... been using umbrellas of different sizes of over 30yrs...tried softboxes and MY clients prefer the umbrella look.
Portrait work is what I want to do. So umbrellas yield the best results?
Are florescent lights any good for this application? Adorama has a really great deal on a set of 3 for about 3-400 complete with umbrellas.
I suggest starting with a pair of 60" convertible umbrellas, just because they are inexpensive, easy to transport, easy to setup, work with both studio lights and with speedlights/speedlites, and they are extremely versatile. (To use an umbrella, or other "stemmed" modifier, with a small battery powered flash typically requires using an "umbrella bracket".)
A Photek SoftLighter II is an even better option, with even more versatility if you get the version with the removable stem. The specular highlight reflected in the eyes, often called the "catch light" is circular, similar to Art's octoboxes.
A double-diffused softbox yields a very nice "wrapping" of the light as well as simulating the effect of soft and diffused light coming through a window. I have 3 - softboxes, but mostly use a pair of 36" square softboxes (when I do use them) because they can be either stacked vertically, as I do for a full-length, used individually, like in a key and fill situation, or used separately with other modifiers. They cam be positioned extremely close to the subject safely, for the ultimate in softness.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
It's fine to start with convertible umbrellas, but "best results" depends upon your use.
I don't recommend fluorescent lights for portraiture because:
2) They burn continuously, causing your subject's pupils to contract. It is generally preferable to have the larger pupils you get from flash photography.
I can recommend the Adorama FlashPoint II monolights. They are studio strobe/flash lights with very nice manual control; repeatable and predictable output.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Pros: Cheap, readily available, easy to set up and transport, variety of sizes, convertible ones offer great versatility at low cost with shoot thru or bounce possibilities.
Cons: lots of light spill especially when used as a shoot thru (important if you're working in a small space or need to control the light very specifically), a pain outside as they catch the wind
Softboxes:
Pros: softer effect which is often very flattering, more tightly-controlled light spill, smaller footprint in the studio (vs umbrella - see Ziggy's measurement comparison above)
Cons: more expensive, depending on model can be less portable and/or harder to set up
I personally LOVE SB light, but that's just me. Since I use speedlights, I've also been thrilled with the Photek Softliter which produces SB-quality light in an umbrella format. Plus, the Photek can essentially act as SB, bounce brolly or shoothru brolly depending how you set it up - very versatile.
Re: the suggestion of 60" umbrellas - yup, they're great, but make sure you have the space for them! I know in my small shooting space anything over 45" really limits the available room for other things. Like people