How large of a soft modifier do you think was used in this photo?

http://rapradar.com …/uploads/2013/0​9/ryan.jpg

Take note of how soft the transitions between midtones and shadows are. If I had to guess, they are using one very large softbox or umbrella or octa firing from the top left. Either the flash is fired at very low power or it's being feathered so only the edge of the light is touching them. How do you guys think this photo was lit?

My guess would be a beauty dish instead of a soft box. But it could also have been a medium sized soft box with a grid.

Theres actually a difference between how beauty dish and softbox light looks?!

Judging by the way the shadow is falling on the wall, it seems as though they are probably no more than 4-5 feet from the wall. Now judging by how soft the shadow is considering they are on about 4-5 feet from the wall, I would say that the "size" of the modifier used was 60" (5 feet) or larger. Now, what type of modifier, who knows... But,I'll take a stab and go with something like a 60" to 86" type of umbrella.

^^^
What he says, plus the contrast makes it look like an umbrella was used.

considering the relatively hard transition from shadow to highlight next to the nose of the guy on the right I think it was probably two lights. One right next to the lens axis as fill and another about 30* camera left. Ratio looks like about 1:1 or 1:2. Since the shadow transition is relatively sharp I'm going to guess that the light sources were relatively small or far away.

http://news.psu.edu …d%20ryan%20lewi​s%2013.jpg

dmward wrote in post #16344708
considering the relatively hard transition from shadow to highlight next to the nose of the guy on the right I think it was probably two lights. One right next to the lens axis as fill and another about 30* camera left. Ratio looks like about 1:1 or 1:2. Since the shadow transition is relatively sharp I'm going to guess that the light sources were relatively small or far away.

Couldnt the nose shadow just be because hes further than the guy on the left?

@abbadon31: ...?

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16344756
Couldnt the nose shadow just be because hes further than the guy on the left?

@abbadon31: ...?

You can tell more by seeing the full image

After seeing the full size image, I'm going with a gridded softbox. Maybe 36" or so.

It was also high given the shadow behind them.

it also shows that its a composite shot

^^ I agree.

Yup to composite. My guess is they bounced light off of a v-flat or used a 5' softbox.