 Judy K. McClure |
Which Is Best: Umbrella or Softbox? I am just beginning to start doing studio photography and want to purchase an umbrella or soft box but I don't know which one would be the best. What is the difference between them? Which would you recommend I buy?
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Mark Feldstein |
Welllllll, the short answer is neither. They're both light modifiers, and each one produces a different effect that, in turn, can be further modified depending on how you use them. There are also different kinds of interiors for both umbrellas and softboxes. You can get them lined with removable inserts made from highly reflective materials like silver or gold cloth, or in just plain white. With umbrellas, depending on their size, the power of your lights and whether you use a device to prevent light spill, they can be pretty efficient but IMHO produce a slightly harder light than softboxes. Both tend to wrap the subject in light, but you need to experiment to learn how. So, in response to your question, I use both but which one depends on what I'm trying to accomplish. It's all about how you use and control light. My preference is Chimera. I've got one of their 36 x 48" softboxes, without an insert, that's been used multiple times per week and lasted so far about 25 years. (Yikes!) The hardware (used to attach the box to my Bowens monolights or Speedotron pack lights) has also held up well. Strip banks from Chimera also hold up extremely well. They're a bit pricier than others but if you rely on this stuff to earn a living and not fail at the worst possible moment (is there ever a good one?), then I think they're well worth the cost. I've tested products for Photoflex, and they just don't seem to hold up to location use. Umbrellas are a lot cheaper than softboxes. Sure, you can get the type with a removable back and shoot through it which is nice, but I still don't think it produces nearly the same quality of light as a softbox. Take it errrr ... light, Judy. Anything else ... just drop me an e-mail if you'd like.
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Michael H. Cothran |
I use both in my studio. There is a specific difference, which makes the determination over which to use - An umbrella is like a shotgun - it spreads light everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE! Just aim it in the general direction, and you're bound to hit something. A softbox is much more directional, and easier to control. A softbox's light pretty much only goes where you aim it. If you need further control over light spillage, you can add a set of louvers to your softbox, which will really fine-tune the light fall-off. In my studio, an umbrella (42" silver) is used as a fill light, when I need one. Since it spreads light everywhere, this is the ideal delegation for it. A softbox is always used as the main light, and usually with louvers so I can keep it off the background. The softbox (and white umbrella) loses about 2 stops of light. The silver umbrella loses next to nothing. Hope this helps,
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Judy K. McClure |
Thank you both for your input. It sounds like I have a lot to learn! What is the best size softbox to use? Is it necessary to get a large softbox or since I am just beginning to learn, would it be better to start small? I was planning to get either an umbrella or softbox and use that with my reflector. I really can't invest tons of money on equipment right now.
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Mark Feldstein |
The softbox or umbrella size depends on what you're photographing and its size. For small group portraits, you need a larger softbox than for individual portraits, although I have a 3x4' box that does double duty - again, depending on how I control the light. Same is true with umbrellas. As Mike pointed out, unless it's controlled, umbrella light goes everywhere. Umbrellas compared to softboxes are less expensive. And, you should also understand that when you charge a fee for your services that you need to build in your prorated cost of doing business. That includes the gradually depreciating cost of your equipment including softboxes and umbrellas and power packs, monolights, ad infinitum. Try thinking of it this way Judy: If someone wanted to just rent your shooting space for a day and use your equipment, what would you charge them? And as Mike and I have tried to explain, different uses for different modifiers, including softboxes, stripbanks (which are essentially narrow softboxes), and umbrellas. It's your choice. Take a look at Chimera's Web site and Photoflex for some further thoughts on the subjects: http://www.chimeralighting.com and http://www.photoflex.com In short, experiment and you shall see the light ... errr ... so-to-speak. ;>)
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William Koplitz |
An umbrella reflects as a circular hot spot in the eye, most soft boxes reflect as a square or rectangle. Many boxes have inserts to make this highlight look like window light and other things...etc. Umbrellas have the light head pointing back into the unbrella which makes it become a reflector that spreads the light everywhere and gives you little control over the direction and shape. Softboxes usually point the light head at the subject and use diffusion material over the opening. Many boxes come with accessories to help shape and direct the light. Many high end commerical photographers build their own light boxes (I know of one who used a 55 gallon oil drum painted white inside and severel who use large sheets of diffusion material stretched over a frame and direct their lights through this material, usually rip stop nylon. You don't have to spend a lot of money to do this. It's best if you experiment and get the light to look the way you want it.) This all depends on what you are photographing and why.
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