Softbox vs Umbrella, Don’t Make This Rookie Mistake!

[@TheOlandex]

"If you don't agree with me, then you probably don't know what you're doing"! 😂 Oh I love the honesty there! Not something you hear every day. I will say that while there's almost always more than one way to do things, I've seen enough of your tutorials to know you've got a lot to teach people. If they don't want to listen, that's their loss. Keep on keepin' on!

[@jamesmonahan9408]

My first modifier, 22" umbrella. fabulous light.

[@pixelpeter3883]

One factor that you didn't consider in the 'line up' of modifiers is fact that when keeping the lightstand in the same position, in the case of the bounce-umbrella, the lightsource is quite a bit further away from the subject and thus relative smaller compared to the other ones. That's why that light appeared harsher. Put that softbox/octabox further away and the light gets harsher ;-)

[@markgoostree6334]

I like the round soft box best. I thought it gave the softness that looked best. The only modifier I've used is a shoot through umbrella when we shot the last directory for church. I am just a novice but these pictures came out very nice and they were happy. Mostly the pictures were couples. Two families were five members so maybe the shoot through helped me more than I realized. Very good video and great pictures so we could compare the lighting. Thank you!

[@DavisInDuval]

I use multiple westcott rapid boxes. Love them.

[@rnrnrkrk994]

it would be great to know how much light output stops we lose with bouncing off umbrella vs shoot through

[@Bishnu_Deb]

Excellent presentation about the various modifiers. I like the shoot thru umbrella's effect for the portrait shoot. Thanks JP, love from India.

[@nareshkgulati]

Explained in details, with easy example. Best part for me (though difficult for the model to remember) is that her face angle and smile are exactly the same in every pic and as result thereof I am able to understand light effect properly. Thanks again please.

[@emj2884]

Thank you for the demo! I like both octa soft box and umbrella (shoot through). Go Westcott!

[@skinwalker_]

Round soft box looks best. On her face the umbrella had some hot spots especially on her forehead. But it was very interesting as for what most needs the umbrella us a great idea especially how affordable and space saving it is. She is the perfect model for this video. Seriously stunning woman.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you found the video worthwhile. Thanks for watching!

[@raymondpeters1907]

Well done. Again my first was an umbrella but also use octabox as well depending on situation

[@DynoosHD]

The catch light in the eye is much better with the umbreller than the octo. Nice round shape with a fade to the edge.

[@Zeebad_1st]

What colour interior would you recommend for a soft box and what is the best way to stop hotspots on the forehead and nose?

[@jeffreyrosenberg7765]

How about a bounce umbrella WITH diffuser

[@nativestrong7253]

Umbrella for the win

[@KanaievenTokyo]

Good video for people new to lighting however its a bit incomplete - I think tests at different distances would have been a wonderful addition.

[@steveolesen8033]

I use a bounce umbrella with diffusion...cheapest and best option in my opinion

[@tommynikon2283]

I’ve followed JP for years, and even as a grizzled, graying commercial shooter (me)…I’ve learned a lot. HOWEVER….where I diverge in philosophy is: given how CHEAP light mods are, it’s hard to say that the first purchase has to be “x”. There’s a ton of Chinese branded stuff that makes PROFESSIONAL results possible…at a fraction of the costs going back decades. Lighting gear wise, it’s NEVER been cheaper or more plentiful in inventory choices.🎉

[@danieljackson654]

Wonderful presentation ❤

[@love2cycle2]

You should talk about the tennis balls on the feet of your stands... By the way, the 22" Westcott shoot through umbrella is great light, very portable and a great value. Get two for groups and you won't be sorry.

[@detlefkoertge6988]

Apparently the soft box is not a square but a rectangle. Otherwise turning it would make no difference. 😉

[@250157andyw]

If it has different vertical & horizontal sizes, it is rectangular

[@EverettGuess]

I bought my first, round softbox not long ago. I love it, but it's a used, older Godox with all the metal spokes. Reassembling it, especially on set, is a nightmare, so I never break it down. I definitely want one that collapses like that Wescott Octo Dome!

[@p.burley4533]

Not to complicate matters, but I have two strip boxes for side lighting. If flipped horizontally, can they take the place of the square, which I do not have, possibly for better wraparound?

[@greggsidwell8307]

Get that light source even closer for o your subject and watch the light bend even more around her nose and cheekbone

[@And-c7n]

Soft round softbox

[@MikealHughes-vg1tb]

Question - I’m shooting video for KZbin from my desk. I have a green screen behind me for backgrounds. My problem is lighting. I have issues with shadows? How would you light that setup - Springhill church ofchrist

[@mikepenney5726]

the winner is the round softbox... add a white card and a background light and you're good.

[@csc-photo]

My first mod was a 32" square softbox. Actually 2 of them 😆 I sold one and picked up a few smaller umbrellas, then a 23" portable octa (clicks right into my Godox AD300) for outdoors. I have the Westcott 45" umbrella featured here, $32 and it quickly became my favorite! Then for fun I grabbed one of the big 7' umbrellas - it's big enough to go camping in.

[@jansenvanstaden6248]

The reflector and the bounce umbrella look the same because you are not utilising the full umbrella. It's way too close to the flash head. The light source is thus pretty much the same size. You gotta push that bad boy out until the modelling light fills the whole umbrella.

[@realglz]

I wish I would’ve ran across this video 2 months ago. 😕

[@steve3751]

a silver umbrella would be much more efficient than your translucent umbrella + black cover

[@TheSlantedLens]

Sometimes the silver can be harsher light.

[@lancethrustworthy]

Your information was good. You were nicely succinct. You were tense, but you loosened up. NEXT TIME start with a smile. Introduce yourself and welcome us. Extra points for the personal mic. Most people ruin their videos with bad audio (room reverb).

[@csc-photo]

Perhaps you can show everyone how it's done by posting your own modifier comparison vid

[@Project_2501]

The "catch light shape" elitarianism imo is one of the most annoying and overrated aspects of portrait photography. Even on a large print with proper vewing distance, you won't be able to tell the shape of the catch light anway and really NOBODY except for pixel peeping photographers cares a bout the shape of a catch light at all.

[@jackson3967]

I'm not sure that I totally agree, for example ring lights give a very unnatural look in the eyes, and yet many people like it. A round catchlight seems good, and probably doesn't draw too much attention to itself. A square catchlight can often feel natural because it emulates a window for example. In my opinion the shape of the reflection in the eyes is definitely noticable, even if sub consciously, without having to pixel peep. There are plenty of other, much more important, things that go into what makes a great portrait but it's worth at least considering the eyes, they are the window on the soul after all. I personally just don't like anything unnatural looking.

[@mediaflmcreation]

So if we don't agree with you, you clown the person not on your side? Tf is that about? No need to be cocky, this is photography, art can be created with anything. The art is in the result. Different strokes for different folks my guy. Yea I disagree and I know what I'm doing because I get paid by real name brand commercials clientele.

[@memcrew1]

Huh, who, what?