New Softbox: I am slowly acquiring lighting gear kit to allow me to do portraits and learn more about lighting/ lighting modifiers, etc. I have acquired two 600EX-RT Speedlights and a...

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I am slowly acquiring lighting gear kit to allow me to do portraits and learn more about lighting/ lighting modifiers, etc. I have acquired two 600EX-RT Speedlights and a Yongnuo transmitter, and got a killer deal on (so far) one very nice lighting stand. I had asked in a previous post about light modifiers and had lots of good recommendations. This will by no means be the only modifier I get, but I had to start somewhere to start playing around, so after some additional research I ordered a Strobies 31 x 31" softbox from B&H and it arrive yesterday. I know bigger is better (softer) and 31 x is probably not considered a "big" softbox, but I had to start somewhere. This will give me something to play with to learn what it will and what it won't do. I don't know all that much about Softboxes, but this thing is nice in that it folds up very nicely and stores in a very small bag, plus with the mounting bracket it came with is very easy to use and allows me to insert my speed light directly without and extra brackets needed.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

That is an almost identical set up to my first one. It's great for one or two person head and shoulders shots. Add a reflector for fill and you'll get beautiful results. It's also nice for still life/product photography too.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

ptcanon3ti wrote:

That is an almost identical set up to my first one. It's great for one or two person head and shoulders shots. Add a reflector for fill and you'll get beautiful results. It's also nice for still life/product photography too.

Thant's good to know. This box was recommended by another Hog, and after some independent research, I decided it would be good as a starter kit. Right now I use a large white foam board as a reflector, but plan to get a set of large round reflectors in different colors (silver, gold, etc). I will slowly acquire additional gear as I learn more.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

Basil wrote:

Thant's good to know. This box was recommended by another Hog, and after some independent research, I decided it would be good as a starter kit. Right now I use a large white foam board as a reflector, but plan to get a set of large round reflectors in different colors (silver, gold, etc). I will slowly acquire additional gear as I learn more.

Be prepared to be addicted! ;)

Foam core is a fine reflector btw...just get a large enough piece.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

ptcanon3ti wrote:

Be prepared to be addicted! ;)

Foam core is a fine reflector btw...just get a large enough piece.

Foamcore is my go-to reflector material!
It's almost self-supporting, inexpensive, and if you get the stuff that've black on one side, you can it's if for subtractive lighting as well.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Foamcore is my go-to reflector material!
It's almost self-supporting, inexpensive, and if you get the stuff that've black on one side, you can it's if for subtractive lighting as well.

Don't believe I've seen any that is black on one side. Where do you get it?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Basil wrote:

Don't believe I've seen any that is black on one side. Where do you get it?

It sure, our art dept has it, so I know it exists.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

Basil wrote:

Don't believe I've seen any that is black on one side. Where do you get it?

You can get it online. Some art stores have it. Or you can paint one side yourself. :)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Basil wrote:

Don't believe I've seen any that is black on one side. Where do you get it?

Foam core is great, but the problem with foam core is that it doesn't fold up like the 5 in 1's. I've seen 5 in 1's for under $10 for small 30" ones. I'll look for one tonight. That's probably cheaper than good foam core.
I get cheap foam core at the 99 cent store. It's not great and a bit translucent but you can stack it.

SS

Haydon

Foam core can be obtained at Walmart in the craft section (white).

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Haydon wrote:

Foam core can be obtained at Walmart in the craft section (white).

As I said, I use foam core as a reflector and in fact I did get it at Walmart. I think the question was / is about the kind that Goofienewfie mentioned that is white on one side and black on the other.

Billy Bob

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forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

How-to
-Ingredients: Spray-on glue and a roll of black paper
-Task: Scissors-trim the excess black paper
-Result: Black on one side; white on the other

You can further soften light from a softbox, say, to manage highlights. With a large foam core panel, cut out the middle -- leaving enough for a frame to hold translucent material or paper. Place panel nearer or further, to taste.

Basil wrote:

Don't believe I've seen any that is black on one side. Where do you get it?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

So now that you have "one light" I'd suggest you spend a small amount of cash getting Zack Arias' DVD called "One Light Workshop."

The trap folks get into is buying more "stuff" and never really wringing out what they have...this approach will cure you of that and you'll realize that lighting (just like a lot of other things) is about what to do with what you have and not what thing you can buy next.

Another thing I learned from Roberto Valenzuela is; practice practice practice. Practice until you are sick of something. Practice until you can do it in your sleep without even thinking about it.

You'd be surprised at how things change when someone is sitting there waiting for you to adjust something to take their portrait, the seconds tick by like hours...being able to blast through your set up without a thought is really a useful thing.