Silhouette type portrait help

That's just a softbox, probably fitted with a honeycomb, behind and to the side. Rim lighting in othe words.
 
rim lighting- that sounds bang on- thanks! is it possible to use 'any' light source behind and off-centre?!?
 
Darthchaffinch said:
rim lighting- that sounds bang on- thanks! is it possible to use 'any' light source behind and off-centre?!?
Click to expand...

Yes, but it needs to be controlled so that the light doesn't strike the lens and cause flare, which is why a honeycomb is normally used.

If you haven't got a honeycomb (AKA grid or eggcrate) then you'll have to use something else - black cards can be used, but aren't as effective and may limit the angle, forcing you to point the light further away from the lens than you would have to with a honeycomb.

BTW, if you can use a honeycomb you need to know that they come in different 'flavours'. The ones that fit straight onto a standard reflector are normally available in something like 10, 20, 30 & 40 degrees. With say a 10 degree one, the light can be used only slightly off centre, because as long as the angle is more than 10 degrees off axis it will be OK. The ones that go on softboxes are generally less efficient, and the ones that are included with cheap softboxes are usually almost useless.
Hope that helps a bit.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes, but it needs to be controlled so that the light doesn't strike the lens and cause flare, which is why a honeycomb is normally used.

If you haven't got a honeycomb (AKA grid or eggcrate) then you'll have to use something else - black cards can be used, but aren't as effective and may limit the angle, forcing you to point the light further away from the lens than you would have to with a honeycomb.

BTW, if you can use a honeycomb you need to know that they come in different 'flavours'. The ones that fit straight onto a standard reflector are normally available in something like 10, 20, 30 & 40 degrees. With say a 10 degree one, the light can be used only slightly off centre, because as long as the angle is more than 10 degrees off axis it will be OK. The ones that go on softboxes are generally less efficient, and the ones that are included with cheap softboxes are usually almost useless.
Hope that helps a bit.
Click to expand...

hell fire another topic to learn about!!! :bonk: :lol: Makes sense though, thanks!

Could I theoretically make one to insert into a household lamp?!??
 
Darthchaffinch said:
hell fire another topic to learn about!!! :bonk: :lol: Makes sense though, thanks!

Could I theoretically make one to insert into a household lamp?!??
Click to expand...
No. Household lamps are very low on power to start with and honeycombs 'eat' most of the light, and the more efficient the honeycomb is, the more power you need to start with.
And then there's the heat. Honeycombs are restrictive and with no cooling fan the light bulb would seriously overheat. With a 10 deg honeycomb, over 87% of the ventilation is blocked by the honeycomb.

BANG:)

Your best answer is studio flash. 2nd best for this but perfectly usable is hotshoe flash. You can make up your own honeycomb with those wide black drinking straws, cut to length and held together. There will be no modelling lamp and getting the length of the straws right will be trial and error, but it's perfectly doable
 
Last edited:
Garry - do you have anything like a honeycomb/grid to fit onto a softbox..?
I have a big (70cm) lastolite softbox which I use with my 580 flashgun, and may get a smaller one, but would want a honeycomb to go with it - can you help ?
 
Steve,

Lencarta has a range of honeycombs to fit their own softboxes and if your softbox is of very similar size and shape AND has a deeply recessed front fitted with velcro then you should be OK,
But my guess is that you'll have to see if your manufacturer has one to fit your softbox, or get another softbox that's designed to take honeycombs.
 
Thanks for that Garry - I'll take a look at the Lencarta ones as a small softbox and honeycomb that are made to work together sounds like a good move, as well as the lastolite range.
Much appreciated !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top