Poll for amateurs using off-camera flash: I'm interested in hearing from other hobbyists (pros will skew the results) who use off-camera flash: do you (like I do) use umbrellas as...

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I'm interested in hearing from other hobbyists (pros will skew the results) who use off-camera flash: do you (like I do) use umbrellas as diffusers, or do you prefer softboxes? I've begun to become intruiged by the possibility of having control over the edge of the light that a softbox would give, so I'm curious to hear what other hobbyists are doing.

Thanks!

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

You didn't say, but it sounds like you are referring to in studio use.
I use off camera flash all the time in the field for macro.
I use a 5 X 8 inch diffuser.

CO

I use 40" umbrellas and a 22" beauty dish. You're right about the softbox giving more control. The light from umbrellas spreads out rapidly. A shoot-through umbrella is great to use. You can bring it up close to your model and get really nice, soft light.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

rwilson1942 wrote:

You didn't say, but it sounds like you are referring to in studio use.
I use off camera flash all the time in the field for macro.
I use a 5 X 8 inch diffuser.

Yes, studio use, or in other words, my living room.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

CO wrote:

I use 40" umbrellas and a 22" beauty dish. You're right about the softbox giving more control. The light from umbrellas spreads out rapidly. A shoot-through umbrella is great to use. You can bring it up close to your model and get really nice, soft light.

Yes, I’ve been thinking about a shoot-through. Thank you again, CO.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

If/when you look at shoot through, check out the Photek softlighter. Comes highly recommended by Captain C!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Tim Stapp wrote:

If/when you look at shoot through, check out the Photek softlighter. Comes highly recommended by Captain C!

Thanks, Tim. Who is Captain C, I'm embarrassed to ask?

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

A very fine portrait Photographer on this site.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Tim Stapp wrote:

A very fine portrait Photographer on this site.

Thanks, Tim.

bturner640

Rab-eye I use both styles of umbrellas as well as soft boxes and octa boxes. The octa boxes are my go to for 90% of my work though. Thats for both indoor and outdoor work.
If you want to be able to play around allot more try looking up "set a light 3d". Its a piece of software that will emulate a studio and the different types of lights and diffuses. It is really fun to play with and doesnt cost that much. You can learn allot about lighting playing with it. Its not prefect but it is pretty darn good. Now I dont know the creator of the software and dont get reimbursed in an way for that recommendation. Hope that helps.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

bturner640 wrote:

If you want to be able to play around allot more try looking up "set a light 3d". Its a piece of software that will emulate a studio and the different types of lights and diffuses. It is really fun to play with and doesnt cost that much. You can learn allot about lighting playing with it. Its not prefect but it is pretty darn good. Now I dont know the creator of the software and dont get reimbursed in an way for that recommendation. Hope that helps.

https://www.elixxier.com/en/
$40 for the basic version.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use both depending on the imagined results. Each has their good and less than desirable aspects. I tend to let the imagined results determine what I use. The includes whether I used softboxes or umbrellas with studio strobes or camera mounted strobes.
--Bob

Rab-Eye wrote:

I'm interested in hearing from other hobbyists (pros will skew the results) who use off-camera flash: do you (like I do) use umbrellas as diffusers, or do you prefer softboxes? I've begun to become intruiged by the possibility of having control over the edge of the light that a softbox would give, so I'm curious to hear what other hobbyists are doing.

Thanks!

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I use off camera flash for macro work and use a 6 x 8 diffuser attached to the speedlight. I trigger with a yongnuo cheap trigger which works perfectly.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

I use both; umbrellas when doing studio / posed work and I have some Lumiquest diffusers and soft bouncersfor candids. As for off-camera triggers, I've had good luck with Phottix equipment with my speedlights and monolights. I've also used snoots in the studio for hair shots with some great results.

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

Softboxes and the larger. the better.