Another Strobe vs. Windowlight thread

This morning I set out to experiment with making the best imitation of window light I could, using my strobes. I have a newborn session coming up and hate having to "schedule" them around when I have the best light. Any parent knows that the chosen two hour block may just be the worst two hours ever. Anyway, here are the two images, sans baby for now. For some reason, I still like the window light image. The light seems to have more depth to it but if they werent side by side, I dont know if Id notice. The stobe light is from two 24x36 softboxes placed side by side and right against the window. I did want to try putting the softboxes outside the window, flush against the glass but I dont trust my neighborhood that well.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56709879@N07/8​524554765/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56709879@N07/8​525669536/

If you're looking to spend money - Grab a 50" Apollo (or similar). Is it going to be exactly the same as a bank of windows? Nope. Is it going to be close enough for a baby? Yep.

If you're looking to use the cash on a steak dinner and pocket the rest just roll with what you've got now. If the window light is there use it. If not use your softboxes. Both look like they'll work great.

With babies and toddlers, you shoot when they are rested and happy. There's nothing worse than trying to shoot a kid who needs a nap, is hungry, or is in their "clingy" portion of the day.

Hard to beat a 4'x6' softbox for simulated window light

Mike, oddly enough, I found the two smaller boxes to be better. I dont know why, but the larger softboxes made the light too flat, no matter where I positioned it. I even stuck black reflectors on the shadow side but it wasnt effective. I also tried a 72 inch box which only made it worse.

What size window are you trying to emulate? I have a big bay window and the only thing that comes close is a 4x6 bank light

ramair455 wrote in post #15674912
What size window are you trying to emulate? I have a big bay window and the only thing that comes close is a 4x6 bank light

This was just more of a "how close can I get" type expiriment. The window is 4x6.

Trying to think of the physics in my brain here -- With window light, the real light source is the sky or the neighborhood buildings or whatever is outside reflecting the sunlight in. So I would guess this would created a different effect in terms of light falloff, (inverse square law, etc.) as you get further away from the window on the interior. Could this be the reason the window light has "more depth to it" as you describe?

Anyway, I can't see any real difference in the images.
Have fun getting the baby in that bucket.

Curtis, I agree, the images are really close. I did have to burn the shadows and dodge the highlights a bit on the strobe image to give to the depth to match. I also tried moving the diffusion to the very end of the box so that it would mimic the light coming in from window.

As far as the physics go, its an interesting discussion. Im not sure if the window becomes the light source to base off the inverse square law or not. Its not really reflecting the light... plus, I believe the inverse law only direcly affects small point light sources and when takling about much larger light sources, the fall off is less.

Your 4x6 soft box would be closer in light quality to your window if you put a diffusion panel/screen is front of your window. Otherwise the type of surfaces out side the window will affect your light quality & color.

I always do this when I shoot products, it "cleans" up natural window light.

both pics you posted "look" like strobe and not real soft diffused window light.

ramair455 wrote in post #15676550
both pics you posted "look" like strobe and not real soft diffused window light.

I disagree. While the light isnt "flat" it is certainly soft. The shadow edge is nearly indiscernible on the top image.

umphotography wrote in post #15674730
Hard to beat a 4'x6' softbox for simulated window light

You can even put strips of opaque tape across the face of the soft box(es) to emulate the muntins of divided-light windows. This would be seen in the catch-lights in a portrait subject's eyes and a viewer would swear that the light was from a window.

Curtis N wrote in post #15675639
Trying to think of the physics in my brain here -- With window light, the real light source is the sky or the neighborhood buildings or whatever is outside reflecting the sunlight in. So I would guess this would created a different effect in terms of light falloff, (inverse square law, etc.) as you get further away from the window on the interior. Could this be the reason the window light has "more depth to it" as you describe?

Anyway, I can't see any real difference in the images.
Have fun getting the baby in that bucket.

I did a similar experiment a few months ago. What Curtis says above is the conclusion I came to. I used a variety of modifiers, including a 4X6 SB. The best thing I found was a speedlight bounced onto a white flat. The hotspot provided the specularity and contrast needed for the look. The window light I was comparing it to was a 6X5 footer without direct sunlight. Subject 4 foot from window/modifier. It's a worthy experiment to mess around with.

Why don't you double diffuse the light source? I have a couple of calumet PVC frames that have diffusion material, I would guess about 3X5 feet. I place my soft boxes behind them and they give off a nice soft light. I've used these with everything from people to interiors.

JakAHearts wrote in post #15676695
I disagree. While the light isnt "flat" it is certainly soft. The shadow edge is nearly indiscernible on the top image.

soft doesnt necessarily mean window light. My 5" octabank is soft but it doesn't look like a large diffused window.