softbox modifier

MY simple brain tells me that for a softbox to be truly effective, the light source should be a) aimed to the back of the box which then gets reflected out the front, through a diffuser panel or b) aimed towards the front but as a bare-bulb in order to take advantage of the reflective property of the 'box' portion, be it round/square or otherwise...

yes?

ive got a cheap softbox that has a zippered opening for the lightstand to protrude into the 'box' with a speedlite pointing to the back and then reflected out through a diffuser panel. it's not the most 'manuverable' because it needs to be on a boom in order to change whether it is pointed straight out (parallel to the ground) or tilted downward.

is there any real advantage to a softbox over a reflective umbrella with a diffuser panel across the opening (which really is pretty much the same thing, shape and dimensions not withstanding)?

The difference is in both controllabilty, and in the catchlights seen in the eyes

• You can see in the eyes umbrellas as octagonal shapes, and if the umbrella has no front panel you can also see the ribs of the umbrella
  
• The umbrella will spill more light uncontrollably in all directions than a softbox will
  

I’d say it won’t matter. It’s the results that count. If you like the image, then it’s a success.

LtDave.
Are you using a Westcott Apollo by any chance?

Nick5 wrote in post #19372721
LtDave.
Are you using a Westcott Apollo by any chance?

I've got a couple of Apollo JS 50 inch Apollo soft boxes that I use constantly.

Nick5 wrote in post #19372721
LtDave.
Are you using a Westcott Apollo by any chance?

No. i have some reflective umbrellas and some shoot through umbrellas.

i DID pick up some amazon special (chinaware) that is actually set up to shoot to the back, then reflect it out the front but if i dont put it on a boom, then it is restricted to pretty much parallel to the floor because the stand goes through a zippered opening in the 'box' umbrella part. i dont use it because its kind of awkward...

One of the biggest issues with the Westcott Apollo is the limited range of motion as is….
Fortunately Westcott has the solution. Unfortunately they do not promote, have as an added accessory at local shops or include in a Kit PLUS version with Stand, Shoe Mount and grid.
I have a couple of the particular item in the link below which completely solves the issue. Again, why does Westcott not promote this item instead of letting most think of the limitations most know, the lack of positioning……
I have been using the Westcott Apollo series for almost ten years as the Canon 600 EX-RT and ST-E3 RT system were introduced in the Spring of 2012.
With 5 600’s and 2 ST-3 Transmitters in my arsenal, my Apollo’s have multiplied.
Beginning with the Apollo Medium with Removable front Diffusion Panel I purchased at B&H while attending an Event Space with Syl Arena in September of 2012. Loved the concept. With Radio Communication, no problem inside the Apollo as the need for an E-TTL cord was eliminated. But that issue of tilting……
An earlier solution was to purchase the Westcott background stand and the Tilting bracket. This was a solution, again Westcott never marketed well. Looking on their site, I do not know if they have been eliminated from inventory.
As my Apollo arsenal began to grow with the Strip, the Halo the recently introduced Orb, the need for added “solution” was purchased as well.
The Westcott “solution” linked below solves the issue with stability as it is a boom, not an elbow bracket. I just remove the Reflector holders from the arm.
Again I’ve contacted Westcott to produce this without the Holders to eliminate costs and reduce the size and include in a kit plus form…. No such luck.
This solution allows me to position all of my Apollo’s, Medium, Strip, Orb, 50” Mega and Halo where needed.
Will also be purchasing the newly introduced 12” x 36” Grid as well. Well done Westcott.
So here is the link below.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=b1ESwh9OCMg

Nick5 wrote in post #19373062
One of the biggest issues with the Westcott Apollo is the limited range of motion as is….
Fortunately Westcott has the solution. Unfortunately they do not promote, have as an added accessory at local shops or include in a Kit PLUS version with Stand, Shoe Mount and grid.
I have a couple of the particular item in the link below which completely solves the issue. Again, why does Westcott not promote this item instead of letting most think of the limitations most know, the lack of positioning……
I have been using the Westcott Apollo series for almost ten years as the Canon 600 EX-RT and ST-E3 RT system were introduced in the Spring of 2012.
With 5 600’s and 2 ST-3 Transmitters in my arsenal, my Apollo’s have multiplied.
Beginning with the Apollo Medium with Removable front Diffusion Panel I purchased at B&H while attending an Event Space with Syl Arena in September of 2012. Loved the concept. With Radio Communication, no problem inside the Apollo as the need for an E-TTL cord was eliminated. But that issue of tilting……
An earlier solution was to purchase the Westcott background stand and the Tilting bracket. This was a solution, again Westcott never marketed well. Looking on their site, I do not know if they have been eliminated from inventory.
As my Apollo arsenal began to grow with the Strip, the Halo the recently introduced Orb, the need for added “solution” was purchased as well.
The Westcott “solution” linked below solves the issue with stability as it is a boom, not an elbow bracket. I just remove the Reflector holders from the arm.
Again I’ve contacted Westcott to produce this without the Holders to eliminate costs and reduce the size and include in a kit plus form…. No such luck.
This solution allows me to position all of my Apollo’s, Medium, Strip, Orb, 50” Mega and Halo where needed.
Will also be purchasing the newly introduced 12” x 36” Grid as well. Well done Westcott.
So here is the link below.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=b1ESwh9OCMg

I usually use the Apollo JS as a portable window light, so don't usually tilt it at all. On the rare occasions that I want to tilt it, I'll put it on a boom...normally, I'd then keep the boom arm perfectly horizontal and close to the stand.

Ltdave wrote in post #19372930
No. i have some reflective umbrellas and some shoot through umbrellas.

i DID pick up some amazon special (chinaware) that is actually set up to shoot to the back, then reflect it out the front but if i dont put it on a boom, then it is restricted to pretty much parallel to the floor because the stand goes through a zippered opening in the 'box' umbrella part. i dont use it because its kind of awkward...

I have one like that. It's a Neewer and it was cheap. It has the zipper on the bottom. You can somewhat get around the mobility problem by not passing the light stand through the zippered slot. Just run the shaft outside (in front of) the umbrella. The diffusion film will bulge a bit if you do it this way, but it works.

The real problem with this thing (and I think with most rear-firing umbrellas for speedlites) is that the light it produces is not very uniform. This is probably mostly because the speedlite is mounted way above center. I've put my Neewer aside and don't use it any more.

Archibald wrote in post #19373329
The real problem with this thing (and I think with most rear-firing umbrellas for speedlites) is that the light it produces is not very uniform. This is probably mostly because the speedlite is mounted way above center. I've put my Neewer aside and don't use it any more.

i made a bracket that puts a cold shoe at a 90o angle to what most all flash mounts have, then by putting the flash head straight up, and sliding it onto the cold shoe, it is literally 3/8" above the umbrella shaft. i also have some bowen S mount rings that are designed for speedlites that puts the head within 1" of the shaft...

Ltdave wrote in post #19373627
i made a bracket that puts a cold shoe at a 90o angle to what most all flash mounts have, then by putting the flash head straight up, and sliding it onto the cold shoe, it is literally 3/8" above the umbrella shaft. i also have some bowen S mount rings that are designed for speedlites that puts the head within 1" of the shaft...

Good stuff. I will have to try that.

BTW, I used to live just east of the farthest point east in Michigan.

Archibald wrote in post #19373644
Good stuff. I will have to try that.

BTW, I used to live just east of the farthest point east in Michigan.

Sarnia or Point Edward?

i shoot a lot of lake boats but we dont get the best light until well past noon...

Ltdave wrote in post #19373676
Sarnia or Point Edward?

i shoot a lot of lake boats but we dont get the best light until well past noon...

Sarnia. We used to go to Port Huron at night for excitement. Man, those were the days!!

Archibald wrote in post #19373678
Sarnia. We used to go to Port Huron at night for excitement. Man, those were the days!!

and we all went to Sarnia (or Pt Edward) for fun and excitement. i was the designated driver on way more than on occasion, what with the drinking age 19 v 21 here. Campbell Street Station was where MOST people went but we went to the lounge in the Best Western, right off the bridge. ate many a dinner at Ups and Downs too... then there was Cosmo's Pizza, Mother's Pizza, Duck-Pin bowling (no idea of the name) and for the more adventurous, the gentlemen's clubs on Front St down the river a bit. River Port maybe? couldnt tell you for sure...

Ltdave wrote in post #19374004
and we all went to Sarnia (or Pt Edward) for fun and excitement. i was the designated driver on way more than on occasion, what with the drinking age 19 v 21 here. Campbell Street Station was where MOST people went but we went to the lounge in the Best Western, right off the bridge. ate many a dinner at Ups and Downs too... then there was Cosmo's Pizza, Mother's Pizza, Duck-Pin bowling (no idea of the name) and for the more adventurous, the gentlemen's clubs on Front St down the river a bit. River Port maybe? couldnt tell you for sure...

Lol. We might be from different eras. Bars stayed open later in Port Huron, so that's why we went there. One that I remember was the Satellite. There was a gentleman's club somewhere too but we never went in - there was a cover charge IIRC, and that was crazy. We tried to make black bubbles in the fountain at the McMorran auditorium with a couple quarts of black ink and Tide, but it was a total failure. We'll have to get together and swap stories next time I'm out that way.

To keep the post on-topic, here is a shot using flash with the zippered Neewer softbox. The model is Jessi Fierce. Maybe I can devise a better way to mount the speedlite and get some improved use out of that softbox.

GALLERY IMAGE NOT EMBEDDED Gallery image is most likely deleted.