Umbrella Softbox
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Softbox or Umbrella?????
I'm considering getting a Photography Studio set.
One has a two softboxes and the other has two umbrellas.
Which is better to get?
I plan to do Portrait/Fashion
I don't have that kind of money Perki!!!
Umbrella summary: cheap, soft light, very portable, all of them are harder to control. Also, they all have hotspots or uneven lighting patterns. So, one of the mistakes is to take an umbrella and point it at the chest of a woman to light her from the knees to head. While this will, this means her chest will be the brightest part of the picture, and you are drawing your subject's gaze to her boobs, instead of face-- not always what's intended.
Softbox: Much less of a spread, even less so w/ a grid on front of it. Very soft light, also-- though the reflective may be thought of as more so do to it's omni direction to it's target. The lighting is even, and falls off quickly. If you use the right size box to light a subject, the light will be even from the head to the bottom it covers. If it's too short, then b/c it doesn't have a large feathered (lesser light that "spills" out of the control, but still in the direction of the main light) light (like an umbrella), it will drop off quickly leaving your subjects knees and/or feet in darkness.
So, b/c of control, I think the softbox is more productive to learning lighting.
Umbrella Softbox
PBL Photo Stuido 40" Reflective Umbrella Softbox
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Umbrella $24.99 Umbrella - Wall Decal |
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The Umbrella $5.96 Carlos goes into the cloud forest to look for animals, but he manages to miss seeing them even though they have an adventure with his umbrella. On board pages. |
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Pink Umbrella $11.16 Pink Umbrella |
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The Red Umbrella $6.05 The Red Umbrella |
Is a softbox better than an umbrella?
Which do I choose for shooting studio portraits/fashion shots. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both and can you recommend one.
Whats the difference between a softbox and an octobox?
Octabox = large, octagonal shaped softbox.
Umbrellas - can get a bit unstable if large or windy! Can be reflective or shoot through. Tend to spill light everywhere so not good if you want to keep the b/g unlit. Give soft light - the larger the softer.
Softbox - give soft light - the larger the softer. Spill is more contained than with an umbrella, so less likely to get on b/g (it might matter if trying to keep b/g black). They can also be gridded to contain spill even more.
One isn't 'better' than the other - they both have their roles & do different jobs.
This is a handy comparison site (it's for their own products, but you get the idea);
http://www.bron.ch/vt_pd_lg_sc_en/index.php
simply select a 'modifier' from the drop down box - you can compare the light modifiying qualites of two side by side (Soloflex is their brand softobx name).
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Interfit Photographic Stellar 500watt Tungsten Flood Light 2-Head Kit with Reflectors, Bulbs, 24x24 Softbox, Umbrella & Light Stands, 1000 Total Watts $399.00 The Stellar 3200°K Tungsten light Kit offers the power you need, with easy to use controls and is an ideal answer to low-cost studio lighting. The heads are supplied complete with 8.5" (18cm) standard reflectors and bulbs. Automatic, or selective white-balance using digital still or video cameras are ideally suited for tungsten continuous lighting, while film cameras using daylight film require ... |
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Bowens Gemini 1500ws Monolight Kit with 3-500ws Heads, Light Stands, 2 Reflectors, 2 Umbrellas, 1 Softbox, Deluxe Carrying Case, 1 Stand Bag, & Modeling Lamps $2,659.99 Location, location, location! If you are a busy photographer working in the studio or out on location, the Esprit Gemini offers the perfect lighting solution. Designed to operate from either mains or battery, the Gemini offers consistency, reliability and quality to ensure stunning results in any environment. The advanced circuitry in the Gemini can now offer power calibration in exact stops and ... |
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Cowboystudio Photography/Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit with Three Day Light CFL Bulbs, Umbrellas, Stands, and Carrying Case For Product, Portrait, and Video Shoots $50.00 This kit provides 375 Watts of continuous lighting and it is a very good start for beginners. Entire kit sets up in minutes, and very easy to operate. Light Stand: |
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CowboyStudio Flashlight /Hot Shoe/Umbrella Holder with Swivel/Tilt Bracket for Nikon and Canon E430 E580 SB600 SB800 SB900 $5.99 * Made from aluminum alloy * Fits on the top of most standard light stands or tripods * Holds any standard flash * Includes umbrella holder at the base of the mount * Easy to adjust the angle of the flash * Screw at the base of the flash holder secures the flash in place... |
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Cowboystudio 33 Photography Studio Translucent Shoot Through White Umbrella $7.00 Photo-Studio-Supplies 33" Translucent Reflector Umbrella... |
