Softbox Sizes

[dreamz]

hi,

I am planning to buy two softboxes. Should I buy same sizes?

What factors should be kept in mind to decide size and shape?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Ryszard Sytnik]

All depends what you gone used them for, for main light big-er is better
but to use for hair light small or medium do the trick.

Ryszard

 

[gmacklem]

hi,

I am planning to buy two softboxes. Should I buy same sizes?

What factors should be kept in mind to decide size and shape?

Thanks in anticipation.

A general rule is the softbox should be roughly the size of the subject you are shooting to achieve the softest light possible. The bigger and closer the light source, the softer the light. I am no expert on the shape, but it would seem that the rectangular ones provide better ability to control spill.

--
Greg
http://www.pictureroanoke.com

The hardest thing a person has to do is live by their own words. - Me 2006

 

[dreamz]

All depends what you gone used them for, for main light big-er is
better
but to use for hair light small or medium do the trick.

Ryszard

I am going to use them for fashion/portraiture.

What size you think is a small or big?

 

[Chuck Gardner]

There are several factors to consider:

1) Area you need to illuminate: The area illuminated and the intensity of the light is a function of the square of the distance. In plainer terms when you double the distance the area illuminated increases by 4x, but the intensity is also cut by 1/4 (2 stops).

2) Character of the light: The character of the light -- the contrast at of the highlight/shadow borders -- is a function of the directions the lights hit the object creating the shadow. When a SB is close enough to the object so the light rays travel from the edges of the source inward relative to the objects there will be soft shadows because the light is coming from many different directiions: top, bottom, middle. But take that same SB and move it further and futher away and the parts of its light which hit the object become more and more direct (parallel) and the shadows it creates will be more distinct.

3) Directional contol: One of the reasons softboxes are used vs umbrellas is to more precisely control where the light goes. Size and shape of the SB will afffect the "cone" of light it projects. Deep rectangular SBs produce a tigher pattern than a an shallow octagonal one with a the same frontal area would.

4) Background "Key": The need for directiional of the light varies depending on the background. On a dark low-key background the goal is to precisely control the light, putting it on the face and keeping it off the background to create eye-catching contrast. On a white background the most effective strategies use variations of flat lighting on the face to make it warm, dark and saturated to contrast it. On white the goal shifts from precision control to broad even illumination of both subject and background.

What those four "bullet" points illustrate is that there is no one size fits all solution for modifers. Different tasks require different tools.

For someone starting out I suggest:
med (24x32) softbox
large (36x48) softbox
white 48" umbrella w. removable black cover
22" Dish reflector w. Sock

The med. SB as key light is useful for learning to control the light. The large SB, umbrella, or the dish could be used either as fill or key light. The more of them you can afford/justify the more you will be able to experiment and learn.

If you are shooting in a space with low 8' ceilings you will have problem positionind the Large SB eliminate it from the list and move the dish up to #2 in the priority list; its a good source for fill in tight spaces:

med (24x32) softbox
22" Dish reflector w. Sock
white 48" umbrella w. removable black cover

Once you explore the lighting options with those basic tools you will be equipped to decide based on your experience what else you need.

CG

 

[Ellis Vener]

I'd get three: a 54 x72" Chimera, a Medium Chimera and a 16x22 Chimera.

 

[Rolando Gomez]

Choosing softboxes ultimately is based on the end result. You indicate in a later thread you'd like to do some fashion work. If you can afford it and have the space (cieling) then I'd consider the Chimera Octa57 with the 7-foot extension. It also breaks down to 5-foot. This is not only a great "octabox" but one you can even stand in front of while shooting if necessary without really affecting the light. You can even use this at a high angle as a one-light source for perfect high-key shoots. The catchlights are also beautiful.

Normally I would recommend as a minimum to start with two medium boxes for general photography. You can also look at "strip boxes," which are my favorites for some of my genres of work because I can control the light with these narrow strips, especially when I place (Lighttools) grids inside them.

Finally, no matter what box you use, you'll find that you'll add to your lighting arsenal as you build your equipment--a lot of that will eventully be based on personal taste and the style of lighting you prefer. Some photographers like dramatic, hard light with deep shadows while others want sweeter, soft light--what a lot of photographers don't realize, you can practically achieve these styles with any box--just some boxes make it easier to achieve the desired result--any big box can be made into a small box. Just my thoughts, good luck, rg sends!
--
Rolando Gomez
Lighting Master, Photo Plus Expo 2006 Speaker
http://www.rolandogomez.com

 

[Ryszard Sytnik]

Hi Rolando..

I thinking to buy Hensel Octabanks 2 meters (Mfr# 4000200) I like to ask for your opinion regarding this octa. Quality, do is easy to assemble/ disassemble for work out of studio??.

Thank you

Ryszard

 

[Peter Berressem]

hi,

I am planning to buy two softboxes. Should I buy same sizes?

If money is tight: two same sizes, lets say: medium. You can stack them anytime side by side, verticaly or horizontaly, to double the lighting area. Now, think about quadrupple..;-)

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[BAK]

There is, of course, the question of what it is you want to take pictures of, and how.

And where you want to use them.

For beginners, there's a lot to be szid for one medium softbox and one big umbrella.

Otherwise, two different size softboxes.

BAK

 

[Ryszard Sytnik]

hi,

I am planning to buy two softboxes. Should I buy same sizes?

If money is tight: two same sizes, lets say: medium. You can stack
them anytime side by side, verticaly or horizontaly, to double the
lighting area. Now, think about quadrupple..;-)

--
cheers, Peter

GERMANY

==============================================

Hi Peter I have question for you: what kind of softboxes you using in your studio and how big they are?? Do you using some Octabanks?? what brands?. Today I see some vrey nice Octas at: http://www.aurora-store.de

They have very nice octaboxes I like Tera Softbox 75, is 190cm dept 70cm
But cost to much for me,- very expensive 649.00 EUR + shipping.

Regards

Ryszard

 

[dreamz]

Thanks alot for the detailed response.

There are several factors to consider:

3) Directional contol: One of the reasons softboxes are used vs
umbrellas is to more precisely control where the light goes. Size
and shape of the SB will afffect the "cone" of light it projects.
Deep rectangular SBs produce a tigher pattern than a an shallow
octagonal one with a the same frontal area would.

Could you please tell how does softboxes help to control light direction?

What those four "bullet" points illustrate is that there is no one
size fits all solution for modifers. Different tasks require
different tools.

For someone starting out I suggest:
med (24x32) softbox
large (36x48) softbox
white 48" umbrella w. removable black cover
22" Dish reflector w. Sock

The med. SB as key light is useful for learning to control the
light. The large SB, umbrella, or the dish could be used either as
fill or key light. The more of them you can afford/justify the
more you will be able to experiment and learn.

Why med. SB is for key and larger one for fill?

 

[dreamz]

If money is tight: two same sizes, lets say: medium. You can stack
them anytime side by side, verticaly or horizontaly, to double the
lighting area. Now, think about quadrupple..;-)

how can two SBs stacked together? forgive me for my ignorance and naivety.

 

[dreamz]

Right now I am starting up and paying from my own pocket with no hope of earnings in near future. So I want to keep the cost as low as possible and find something reasonable to start with.

 

[dreamz]

For someone starting out I suggest:
med (24x32) softbox
large (36x48) softbox
white 48" umbrella w. removable black cover
22" Dish reflector w. Sock

Could you please give me some link to article explaining dish reflectors and their use.

 

[Chuck Gardner]

Could you please tell how does softboxes help to control light
direction?

A softbox with a deep curved shape will focus the light in a way similar to a parabolic reflector on a flashlight. It is a result of how the light from the exposed flash tube is gathered and redirected. A deep box with vertical sides will redirect more of the light forward than a shallow one with gently curved sides (or an umbrella). Also compared to umbrellas there is less spill and potential for flare. The light only goes where the a box is pointed. The light from an umbrella goes everywhere.

Why med. SB is for key and larger one for fill?

A large SB isn't an absolute necessity for the fill but since the constraint is to only get two boxes a med and large will give you more options. If shooting full length or a group the large could be used for key and the med (further away) for fill. Note I suggested other options. Two SB will not give you the tools required to light every situation well, but two different SB will teach you what differences size cause. Learning the cause and effect is more important than results for you at this point. When you learn how the tools work you will be better equipped to control them creatively.

Precise control over key light placement is needed on dark backgrounds. The viewer will be strongly drawn to the highlights and they need to be on the face. Fill needs to be even on both sides of the face, not just on the shadow side to achieve smooth highlight / shadow transitions.

I have large, med. and small Photoflex Multidome Q39 boxes and a 22" dish. For solo portraits on dark backgrounds I use the med. with a 20" circle mask as key and the 22" dish as fill. I initially bought the large SB for fill but discovered I didn't have the space and headroom needed for the large SB in my basement studio. When the dish is used with a sock and placed back next to the camera about 8-9 ft from the subject to creates broad even illumination because it is very shallow. But since its metal there is zero backscatter so I can put it right over the top of the lens. That creates a secondary catchlight from the fill in the eye, but because the fill source is small and nearly on axis the catchlight is very small and dead center in the pupil; trivial to retouch out.

CG

 

[Peter Berressem]

how can two SBs stacked together? forgive me for my ignorance and
naivety.

There's absolutely nothing to forgive - not to ask is unforgiveable ;-)

Simple said, put them parallel, side by side, in direct contact, to make one large SB. In most cases it doesn't matter that they don't have a common front diffusor.

To stack them vertically is a bit more tricky, you'd need either a column stand with two arms, e.g. this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/227463-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_231CS_3381_Column_Wheeled_Stand.html

or additional grip to attach the two flashes to a standard stand. E.g one on top, as usual, the other held underneath by a Super Clamp:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5160-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_2909_2909_Super_Clamp_with.html

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[AperturePro]

The Manfrotto column stand is a very useful tool and especially for a
shooting table. Much faster than a tripod for camera position. It is good
for portrait if you need to walk away from the camera.

It is ok for lights, but the foot print is small and only small lights should
be attached or at least sandbag it down on the feet.

Our stand has four of the mounts which make it truly useful for low lights
and some high for hair lighting. With four mounts, it can bounce lighting
in several directions.

To stack them vertically is a bit more tricky, you'd need either a
column stand with two arms, e.g. this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/227463-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_231CS_3381_Column_Wheeled_Stand.html
or additional grip to attach the two flashes to a standard stand.
E.g one on top, as usual, the other held underneath by a Super
Clamp:

 

[Peter Berressem]

They have very nice octaboxes I like Tera Softbox 75, is 190cm dept
70cm
But cost to much for me,- very expensive 649.00 EUR + shipping.

I wouldn't break my bank (pun intended ;-) for a $ 650 Octabank but first try my luck at an auction for Amvona's Dynaphos Octas:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTO-LIGHT-SOFTBOX-LIGHTBANK-KIT-L-DPS-2497-O_W0QQitemZ200111795403QQihZ010QQcategoryZ79008QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You'll get it likely for pretty cheap so there are some $$ left for a good quality speedring for your Hensels. (e.g. from Photoflex).

--
cheers, Peter

Germany

 

[BAK]

Oh. Cheap....

I think that you might want to look at the Photek Soflighters.

These are sort of a cross between softboxes and umbrellas, and are much less expensive than softboxes.

A Google search on Photek should work.

Buying two middle sized ones will work wonders for you, I'm sure.