Softbox vs Umbrella for Car Photography

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rob200sx

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Just wondering what would be more suitable? I'm looking to remove the usual hotspots from using just the flashes on their own.

I've got a Canon 580EXII and a 430EXII

Thanks!
 
we used to use huge swimming pool sized softboxes
 
If it were softboxes or umbrellas - I think I'd choose softboxes every time.
 
cymruchris said:
If it were softboxes or umbrellas - I think I'd choose softboxes every time.
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I agree, because the light is more even from softboxes and much more controlled but Hairyduck is right
we used to use huge swimming pool sized softboxes
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because, to obtain diffused specular highlights (which you can see through to the subject beneath them) you need a softbox or other diffused light source AT LEAST 3 times the size of the subject, and placed so close that it's almost out of shot. In fact, something with complex convex shapes like a car needs something much bigger than that,

Shooting a light through a silk such as a plain white shower curtain (they are usually about 6' square) is a very good compromise but it won't produce perfect results
 
rob200sx said:
Unfortunately I'd need something a little more mobile.
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For mobility I'd go with the umbrella. For its size it will give you a better "mobility to soft light" ratio. You'd need a massive softbox to light a whole car.

However, if you have some helping hands nearby AND it's a sunny day, you could try with a big roll of semiftranslucent fabric and two people covering the sun with it, using it as a big natural light softbox. I've never tried that with cars though, to be honest, only with potraits in bright sunlight.
 
For outdoor shots of cars, a large scrim (actually black material with thousands of tiny holes in it) is very effective and is the standard basic tool. In fact, except for 'splashy shots' of cars actually moving, I've never done outdoor shots any other way in sunshine.
 
The only time I've been invloved with car photography, it was in a collosal studio where the entire ceiling and walls were hung with transluscent material and back-lit. Even then the finished pictures were retouched to smooth out the reflections.

On a more realistic level, the shower curtains idea sounds worth a try. Making the light source as large as possible. Plus Photoshop ;) Maybe with a static shot you could light and shoot the car in sections, and merge in Photoshop? No easy answers.
 
Garry Edwards said:
For outdoor shots of cars, a large scrim (actually black material with thousands of tiny holes in it) is very effective and is the standard basic tool. In fact, except for 'splashy shots' of cars actually moving, I've never done outdoor shots any other way in sunshine.
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That sounds interesting, Garry - got any example shots?

I'm still trying to find a way of shooting my (dark) car without having to bounce the light off a wall or other huge reflector....
 
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