Single modifier for outdoor portraits - what would it be?

Hope that was clear. If I can only choose a single softbox / modifier (already have and use reflectors) to take along for outdoor PORTRAIT shoots, what would it be? It would be used with a single Elinchrom DLite 4 strobe head.

Realizing that no single tool can cover all needs, I'm looking for a quality, 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

Thoughts and ideas please? Thank you.

dave

One of the more popular choices is the Elinchrom 39" deep octa. You can use it with different deflector discs and one or two diffusers, and now a Lighttools grid is also available for it. Easy to transport and setup and a lot of different lighting options with it. A less expensive option might be a Softlighter II but a little less control of the light with that option.

Dave, what are you shooting?

That's tough.. depends on the light you're using.. I'd go with beauty dish w/ grid and bring along the sock / diffuser. That should allow for a few different configurations.

Deep octa is also a good call, but I imagine on windy days it could be problematic.

Yeah there are several bits of information that would be helpful in helping you. Are you shooting single subjects or couples or groups? Are the portraits more head and shoulders or full length. And do you work alone or with an assistant? One of my favorite and versatile modifiers is the 53" midi octa with the 2 diffusion layers or paired with one of the deflectors. That said if you work alone it can be a bit of a handful if its breezy in that case a BD is a good option.

well, he did say portrait, so I'd opt for the 53" octa. You could still a small group with it, or a single subject quite well with it.

bobbyz wrote in post #12018567
Dave, what are you shooting?

5DII (just arrived) and the lenses listed below in signature. Mostly will be shooting people/senior pic outdoors this spring summer and fall.

dave

When it comes to overall versatility in the most scenarios I'll cast my vote for the Elinchrom 53" Octa, and as much as I love the Deep Octa I don't see it as versatile.

I have to say that I use the 53" Octa all the time in fairly breezy conditions and as long as the light stand is of good quality and it's properly balanced, then it works just fine.

From my own experience, going down to a 36" or 39" octa doesn't help the situation much if the wind is going to be a real problem. At that point it doesn't matter whether it's a 39", 53" or 69", which, by the way, I use just as much on location and in breezy conditions.

While an aluminum beauty dish does fare better in the wind, I think it would be a mistake to get a beauty dish unless it was a large one, but a large beauty dish means bulk and weight and doesn't prove to be convenient.

Damian75 wrote in post #12019481
Yeah there are several bits of information that would be helpful in helping you. Are you shooting single subjects or couples or groups? Are the portraits more head and shoulders or full length. And do you work alone or with an assistant? One of my favorite and versatile modifiers is the 53" midi octa with the 2 diffusion layers or paired with one of the deflectors. That said if you work alone it can be a bit of a handful if its breezy in that case a BD is a good option.

Sorry for not leaving you guys enough info.

I would be doing both full body and head/shoulders people pics. Mostly shooting seniors during the spring/summer/fall seasons this year and hopefully a few more.

Just was picked up by a local studio to help with the overload of senior kids all wanted pics done within a few months.

Also, I will have an assistant with me (my wife usually) and a mom (probably always) of the senior kid on each shoot.

dave

Lastly, why are the Elinchrom products hard to come by? Doesn't appear anybody has the 39" deep Octa. Amazon site says, 'usually ships in 1-2 MONTHS!!!'

dave

Not sure why but Elinchrom products have been backordered and out of stock on a regular basis and it's quite annoying.

Dave, I think Phamster uses 39" octa with his quadra for senior shots. pm him.

Yes, he does, but when he does the longer or wider shots the modifier is distanced further and in my opinion the quality of light changes significantly. The Deep Octa really shines when used at optimal distances. At greater distances it's no better than any other modifier and if you're pulling back for those longer and wider shots then a larger modifier makes much more sense. The 53" give a bit more flexibility for those shots.

you guys know what i would pick

far away: http://watch.fashionte​levision.com …chive/clip99298​#clip99298

thenext two videos are from a couple of our own POTN's

up close: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=ZDj7E30qsBg

medium distance: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=MXftpAAsvhE


and some high end, seems pretty versatile to me http://mola-light.com …name=mola-spotted&paged=2