Softboxes are unbeatable when it comes to light modifiers that generate soft light. A "soft box" is an enclosure around a light source comprising reflective side and back walls on the inside surface, black material on the outer surface and a diffusing material at the front.
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| Softboxes |
Softboxes come in a wide range of sizes and shapes depending upon the manufacturers. Their costs vary by manufacturer and size. Most professional softboxes disassemble for easy transport from location to location. Soft boxes can be made to fit almost any strobe by using a device called a "speed ring," ( a metal collar that locks or clamps to the strobe head). The soft box is then mounted on to the ring.
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| Speedring |
Softboxes for Speedlights
Now a day’s softboxes are even available for flash units so you could carry a couple of flash units instead of big studio strobes and have softbox quality light at any given location, they also do not require electricity making them much more preferable for location shooting.
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| Softboxes for Flash |
Inner reflective material used in softboxes can be either white (producing even softer light) or silver (producing a bit more harsh light than a white surface). There are also softboxes that feature a second layer of diffusion material in them, these facilitate even spread of light across the front reflector (eliminating the chances of a bright centre and dim corners) and helps further soften the light.
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| Inner Diffuser of a Softbox |
Softboxes also have either a flat face or baffles, which have the effect of either spreading the light out or focusing it more forward.
The common shapes in which softboxes are available are, Square, Rectangle, Strip light and Octagonal the sizes are mini, medium and large. The shapes and sizes available from different manufacturers vary. There are almost as many types and styles of soft box as there are manufacturers, and needless to say that they are not all created equally. They're not cheap, either. So before you decide on what works best for you do a bit of research on this, visit your local camera store, try it out if possible to make sure the equipments you choose are exactly what you need and that you're getting the best equipment for your money.
In the next article we will discuss about Light Modifiers - Umbrella
The common shapes in which softboxes are available are, Square, Rectangle, Strip light and Octagonal the sizes are mini, medium and large. The shapes and sizes available from different manufacturers vary. There are almost as many types and styles of soft box as there are manufacturers, and needless to say that they are not all created equally. They're not cheap, either. So before you decide on what works best for you do a bit of research on this, visit your local camera store, try it out if possible to make sure the equipments you choose are exactly what you need and that you're getting the best equipment for your money.
In the next article we will discuss about Light Modifiers - Umbrella
