Large softbox or reverse umbrella

[johncook]

Hi,

After some opinions. I've set up a home studio, black background, and using one flash (nikon sb910) with a really small softbox.

Got some great results with this setup.

The shadows are quite harsh as the softbox is a cheap small portable one (only about 10cm x 10cm).

I'd like to make the light softer so wanted some opinions, still using my sb-910 , on whether to go for a reverse white umbrella or a large softbox. Advice on sizes of these would be appreciated.

I'll look to add a second flash in a few months, but that's later.

Cheers

 

[Phil V]

Simple, bigger source = softer light.

Softboxes offer more control than umbrellas (particularly in small spaces).

Look for easy up types, umbrella boxes, etc. Also a lip so you can feather it, and maybe add a grid.

Don't scrimp and go from small and crap to bigger and crap before better. Do a bit of research and buy the right one.

 

[johncook]

Thanks Phil, yeah don't mind spending on quality as even with the cheap crappy small softbox got really quite good results.

What size would you go for with a speed light?

 

[beyond the blue]

Deleted

 

[Phil V]

Thanks Phil, yeah don't mind spending on quality as even with the cheap crappy small softbox got really quite good results.

What size would you go for with a speed light?

What are you wanting to light?

The size of your light source should suit your subject rather than your flash.

 

[johncook]

It's just me, my wife and our son. Family portrait Phil

 

[Phil V]

It's just me, my wife and our son. Family portrait Phil

All together? That requires a large source, or more than one medium sized sources.

Individually or in pairs a medium softbox will do for head and shoulders. But it depends on the pose, if you laid on your front, facing a low camera, with your wife and son in a vertical pile on top a single medium softbox would be pleasing.

But honestly, just get something of reasonable quality and learn what it'll do, you can learn more by practising than anyone can teach you in forum posts.

 

[johncook]

Yeah, I'll probably buy both, maybe start with the umbrella & experiment. Pleased so far with the results I got after my first real effort. Got some books and watched lots of you tube videos about flash which explain things really well

 

[Lyope]

Cheap convertible brollies are awesome. I use shoot through more than I use reflecting ones, but it's a personal thing. They're also a bit of a consumable item if you use them outside much, but definitely start with brollies.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Westcott Apollo style?

It is a nice design, with a catch. You need to access your light settings easily without opening the thing every time. New studio lights may have this function, Canon EX RT system will do it, also some of the better 3rd party radio triggers... I wouldn't want to rely on IR system alone, particularly outdoors. The problem with some external triggers is the added flashead height. It means that the flash may not fire into the centre of umbrella and light fall will be rather poor (also applies to regular) umbrellas). I would want to try before buying.