Softboxes

[[godfather]]

After ordering Elinchrom FX200 strobes, I am inclining towards the softboxes rather Umbrellas.

I had a dealer and he said softboxes are from 45USD to 100USD

So what size should I look for doing Glamour shoots, full body and headshots.

Also tell me how to measure the softboxes. I mean how to know that I need a particular size of softbox.

[Hermes]

A softbox should be the same size as the thing it needs to light, otherwise you won't be able to use it close-in which is what they are designed for.

[[godfather]]

I did not get you. Can you pleae elaborate?

[Hermes]

;7721211']I did not get you. Can you pleae elaborate?

If you're lighting a 6 foot tall person, you'd ideally want a 6 foot tall softbox so you could place it just a few inches from the subject. This principle applies to all applications for softboxes - you don't want an undersized softbox that you have to pull-back to be able to light your subject evenly.

[dpds68]

Sorry to butt in , What's the rule for this with Umbrellas shoot through and bounced ?

[Mystwalker]

so ... the bigger the softbox the better prepared you will be in future?

[[godfather]]

Pleae answer.

[Hermes]

so ... the bigger the softbox the better prepared you will be in future?

;7721470']Pleae answer.

Generally speaking yes, but that's probably not the best way to look at it.

Instead of buying the biggest softbox you can get because it can potentially do lots of jobs, it makes more sense to start with a specific application in mind and buy a softbox the right size and shape to do it.

I'll give you some of my softboxes and their primary uses as examples.

60x80cm rectangular softboxes - used as hairlights
140cm octagonal softboxes - used as key and fill lights
35x160cm stripboxes - used as edge-lights, top-lights and fill lights
100x200cm rectangular softbox - used as key lights for full-length

Although I occasionally use them for other applications than the ones I've listed, they were all bought for a specific reason and so they are just the right size and shape for my needs. If you ask yourself exactly what the softbox will be used for, the best size/shape to get should be obvious.

[[godfather]]

Ok you mean that size n shape of softbox would depend on the subject. Rite? That means SB to be used for full length portraits/glanour should be more in height an less in width?

[TMR Design]

;7721773']Ok you mean that size n shape of softbox would depend on the subject. Rite? That means SB to be used for full length portraits/glanour should be more in height an less in width?

It depends on the application, size of subject area, number of subjects, etc.

[[godfather]]

That is what I want to know. How do you select the dimensions. An example would clarify.

[[godfather]]

Please help.

[TMR Design]

;7726352']Please help.

Sometimes we can't get to your questions as quickly as you might like and you just have to be patient.

As Hermes stated above, you match the size of the modifier to the size of the subject or subject area but there are no hard rules. The beauty of lighting and photography is that some of the best images come from supposed rules being bent or broken.

Generically we try to create soft light when shooting people and soft light is created by an apparently large light source. A apparently large light source can be a 24" x 24" square softbox that is within inches of the subject and just out of frame or it can be a 74" Octa that is 6 feet away.

For portraiture you want soft wrap around light that flatters the subject without harsh shadows. I can't tell you what size or shape to use. That has to be your decision. Some prefer square or rectangular boxes and catch lights. Some prefer Octas or round masks for rounded catch lights. If you're working in a small space and need subject isolation from the background then you don't want a huge softbox spilling light all over the room. Using grids will remedy that but even with a grid, a huge box in a small room is not always a good thing.

When I shoot head shots I use anything from a 22" beauty dish to a 24" x 32" softbox with a grid to a 53" Octa, but it depends on the look I want, the background being used, and whether I need to keep my main light from reaching the background or other parts of the subject area or not.

If I was to just get one generic softbox to begin I would get something like a 24" x 32" or 36" square. If I knew I would be shooting head and should or half body I would get a 36" x 48" or a 39" Octa. I know you want a definitive answer but I don't think there is a definitive answer. Over time you discover what works for you and you develop a style or preference for the type of lighting you (or your clients) want to see.

[ARMEE]

Sometimes we can't get to your questions as quickly as you might like and you just have to be patient.

As Hermes stated above, you match the size of the modifier to the size of the subject or subject area but there are no hard rules. The beauty of lighting and photography is that some of the best images come from supposed rules being bent or broken.

Generically we try to create soft light when shooting people and soft light is created by an apparently large light source. A apparently large light source can be a 24" x 24" square softbox that is within inches of the subject and just out of frame or it can be a 74" Octa that is 6 feet away.

For portraiture you want soft wrap around light that flatters the subject without harsh shadows. I can't tell you what size or shape to use. That has to be your decision. Some prefer square or rectangular boxes and catch lights. Some prefer Octas or round masks for rounded catch lights. If you're working in a small space and need subject isolation from the background then you don't want a huge softbox spilling light all over the room. Using grids will remedy that but even with a grid, a huge box in a small room is not always a good thing.

When I shoot head shots I use anything from a 22" beauty dish to a 24" x 32" softbox with a grid to a 53" Octa, but it depends on the look I want, the background being used, and whether I need to keep my main light from reaching the background or other parts of the subject area or not.

If I was to just get one generic softbox to begin I would get something like a 24" x 32" or 36" square. If I knew I would be shooting head and should or half body I would get a 36" x 48" or a 39" Octa. I know you want a definitive answer but I don't think there is a definitive answer. Over time you discover what works for you and you develop a style or preference for the type of lighting you (or your clients) want to see.
Robert:
Thank you for your concise and to the point answer.

[roman_t]

with two midsized 80cm x 120cm sb's and one 100cm octa you'd be fine for many situations. silver and gold reflectors help too. how many strobes you have?

[[godfather]]

Thanx ROB and sorry for being impatient. Actually I am going to get the strobes tomorrow, so I thought I should bring the boxes with me. But no problem, I think I should get what it comes with then I will see what I want next.

[[godfather]]

with two midsized 80cm x 120cm sb's and one 100cm octa you'd be fine for many situations. silver and gold reflectors help too. how many strobes you have?
Buying two 200w/s strobes.