Soft Boxes or Umbrellas?

[Ugadawg]

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

 

[Brian Harness]

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

Both are good but softboxes have a slight edge. As always, buy the best you can afford and if you can swind it buy a couple of softboxes and an umbrella. Chimera makes a very good softbox as does Plume (Wafer).

Brian

--
Brian Harness Photographer
Dallas Texas
http://www.brianharness.com/

 

[James Akiyama]

Softboxes have several advantages:

1. Better light spill control (less light spillage). This can be enhanced by using light modifiers (grids, etc.).

2. Easier light controll since you can get softboxes in a wide range of shapes (umbrellas tend to always be round).

3. Generally, less light loss for the same degree of softness.

4. Generally, better eveness, depending on the quality of the softbox.

5. Easier to locate the light close to the subject (since the light diffuser is in the front rather than rear).

That said, I find umbrellas more convenient for quick location lighting (easier to transport, easier to set up, less bulky when set up, easier to balance on a light-weight light stand, etc.).

Hope this helps.

James

 

[Joe Peoples]

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

Joe Peoples writes:

If you know what you're doing, you'll have both in your bag of tricks and use each as you see fit. The thing you theoretical question askers need to do is test and see for yourselves which works best. Nothing takes the place of experience.

 

[imissmy2100]

Both are good. For me though, my "studio" / dorm room is so small that I have to use a softbox unless I want a large amount of spill. Even with the softbox I use a lot of negative bounces..

so that's an example of "depends"

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

--
..but not anymore.

 

[Ugadawg]

I am just looking for starter pieces and I dont want to make mistakes on what I buy. I have made enough already and just dont know how much i will use the lights. I like the octagon shaped but i really dont have alot of room, the plan is just to use this stuff in my garage to play around and test with. Thanks everyone for the advice.

so that's an example of "depends"

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

--
..but not anymore.

 

[Chuck Gardner]

Which setup is the most useful in portrait photography?

See http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=7473179