Do you ever use a softbox outside?

cameraperson wrote in post #12162808
Aren't there non-inflatable softboxes that fit on a flash? Are they useless as well (I have no idea and don't want to waste money)?

It all depends on your subject to flash distance. Two things combine to create soft light. Size of the light source (bigger is softer) and proximity (closer is softer). Sometimes we use the term apparent size of the light source that combines the two. A big light source farther away would have the same apparent size as a smaller one closer to the subject. After all the sun is the biggest source out there (roughly a bazillion miles across) but its distance make it seem like a pin point. In practical terms it means a small box like those that mount directly on a speedlite may provide some minor effect on a human subject a few feet away. If you increase that to more than 8 ft though they dont do much.

I approach it in exactly the same way I do indoors.

I choose the modifier based on the coverage I need and the quality of light I want. From there I can select the best modifier for the job.

At times It's a beauty dish. It could be the 39" Deep Octa with the inner baffle only. It could be a 54" x 72" Softbox with a deflector, inner baffle and outer layer of diffusion.

So yes, I do use a softbox outside when it's appropriate.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12162182
One of the hong kong novelty companies makes a 6x7 inch balloon device that acts like softbox (sort of). Further proof that PT Barnum was right.

Wow, I just checked that out.. amazing.. and I thought the $50 speedlite beauty dish was pretty good, but this takes the cake.

BrandonSi wrote in post #12163081
Wow, I just checked that out.. amazing.. and I thought the $50 speedlite beauty dish was pretty good, but this takes the cake.

I almost split my pants when I saw that 6 or 7 inch beauty dish, if thats the one you mean.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12162182
One of the hong kong novelty companies makes a 6x7 inch balloon device that acts like softbox (sort of). Further proof that PT Barnum was right.

LOL, Yup.

Have you ever been to the Barnum Institute of Science and History?
Pretty neat place. If you're ever in Connecticut, check it out.

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gonzogolf wrote in post #12163095
I almost split my pants when I saw that 6 or 7 inch beauty dish, if thats the one you mean.

Yes, that's the one.. $50! Can you imagine..?