Eliminating shadows and diffusing harsh lighting from photos is one of the few key functions of a softbox. It is one of three major equipment used in photography for producing soft lighting along with scrims and umbrellas.
The best softbox lighting uses includes diffusing bright light and spreading it evenly on the subject. It can be used both as a primary or secondary light source in a scene. You can use it in broad daylight, with flashguns, and as a continuous light source.
What is a Softbox Diffuser?
It is an enclosure surrounding a bright bulb that focuses light on the subject. The light is then diffused as the beam leaves the box. There are reflective panels on the sides that are made from aluminized fabric or lined with aluminum foil at times. These panels keep the light from escaping the enclosure and directs the beams towards the diffusing material that covers the mouth of the equipment.
Some flash softboxes have removable front diffusers. When you remove their diffusing covers it can be used as floodlight.
What makes a softbox different from an umbrella?
There are considerable differences between softboxes and umbrellas. Umbrellas are simple light modifiers with an open end. It has two types i.e. reflective and shoot-through. The open side of the umbrella is placed facing the subject when a light scene is set up. When using a shoot-through umbrella, its closed side is usually closer to the subject.
Both light settings focus on diffusing the light that hits the subject, scattering it and producing harder shadows along with impressive lens flares. With best softbox lighting, you get flatter and even illumination. In softbox photography, you might also have to use barn doors to control lens flare.
What are the different softbox lights and sizes?
The key factors that you need to keep in mind when choosing a size is the degree of light’s softness, the distance at which the subject is placed, and whether you want to capture the entire subject or just a part of it.
Larger light modifiers produce softer light than a small softbox. The reason behind this is large front diffusers and internal baffles give the softbox more volume and surface areas. This allows it to spread and soften bright light. Large softboxes have the ability to project the light farther than smaller models.
If you wish to shoot close-ups softbox photos you can take the help of portable softboxes and for full-length portraits you can opt for a freestanding unit that comes with a softbox stand.
