Umbrella vs Softbox | LIVE with Gavin Hoey

Umbrellas are often the starting point for many photographers entering the wonderful world of portrait photography for the first time. Umbrellas are cheap to buy, quick to set up, and do a great job when used correctly. So why do so many experienced photographers use softboxes?
In this hour-long live session, Gavin Hoey takes you through the pros and cons of using a budget silver/black umbrella compared to a similar-sized softbox. Gavin will use both light modifiers to create several different looks comparing the convenience of use in the real world, the actual lighting results you can get with flash, and how easy each is to modify with accessories.
Whether you're a beginner looking to improve your lighting skills or an experienced photographer seeking to refine your studio craft, this hour-long live stream is for you. Join the conversation, get your questions answered live, and help steer the session. Or just watch along and enjoy the show.
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✘ GEAR USED:
Glow ParaSnap 36" Octa Softbox
www.adorama.com/glsbps36.html
Glow 40" Silver Umbrella
www.adorama.com/glu40s.html
OM SYSTEM OM-1
www.adorama.com/iomom1.html
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
www.adorama.com/iom1240pb.html
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfev200pk1....
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
www.adorama.com/ttcu1917.html
Flashpoint 40" Quick Sliding Leg C-Stand
www.adorama.com/fplscl40k.html
Flashpoint 20" Quick Sliding Leg C-Stand
www.adorama.com/fplscl20kb.html
#lightingmodifiers #softbox #adorama
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@Jeff_H_the_Guitarist]

That light strainer is super cool! Thanks for all your great teaching Gavin!

[@lisapalzer2511]

What a great and fun session! Thanks Gavin!

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Gavin, you have a great team going, fun and friendly. Watching from Australia and thoroughly enjoyable viewing. Thanks 😊

[@travisjay9062]

Ahhhhhh I missed it by a few hours. Hello from South Carolina. Love the streams, please don't stop. I've learned so much and you don't know how much it's appreciated.

[@GavinHoey]

Thank you. I'll keep streaming as long as Adorama will have me and you keep watching 👍

[@jasongreenwood3260]

Thank you Gavin! Good stuff!

[@gvasquez330]

Caught the replay and tried the last lighting setup. Came out great. Thanks for sharing as always a delight!☺

[@GavinHoey]

If you mean the one with the grid, it's awesome and super simple as long as your model isn't claustrophobic 😮

[@kevinmcallister2938]

always being schooled, a great selection of hints and tips as always.:-)

[@josephchan4198]

Awesome course. This be great for E Commerce Clothing site or maybe jewelry. Thanks for the tips.

[@sergiooliveira4351]

I often use Deep umbrellas and love them! Great Video Gavin!

[@GavinHoey]

Good to know. Deep umbrella, excellent idea. Deep softboxes (with outer diffuser attached) not so much 😉

[@truthsayers8725]

and another great vid. i didnt see it live though (again). of course Chloe has done another fabulous job! 4 July.... lol yeah we have a pretty big celebration here in the US

[@dereksmith41]

Hi Gavin, very interesting, and informative as always. I have started using a Godox white reflective umbrella with my Godox ML30 LED continuous light, and I’m very pleased with the results.

[@JoseHernandez-jh3mg]

👋Hello from Mexico every one. Sam, Freja, Chloe and of course the Great Gavin. I really like this one as I have two shoot throw umbrellas, two silver, a softlighter and a 60 x90 Godox softbox. And I love them all. Thank you Gavin.👍

[@sendilkumarj]

I like the umbrella output as the photo looks crisp… ❤

[@GavinHoey]

That id does 😁

[@Avinoam.Miller]

All hail Gavin Hoey! :)

[@RayESmith-hk4dp]

Another helpful video - many thanks, Gavin. The value of working with an experienced (awesome and amazing) model is obvious. Have you done a video on finding a professional model, and, if not, would this be an idea for the future?

[@panview4622]

Reza from Sweden, tnx.

[@busternineshoes]

Chloe has gone from 'Amazing' to 'Awesome'. About time...

[@Rogerplas1]

Hello from San Diego California

[@thomasagabaonyango7548]

Aye, recording works just fine! 👍🏾

[@amaurisouza5751]

PARABENS. BRASIL, BELO HORIZONTE - MINAS GERAIS TOP SEU ENSINAMENTO. ABRAÇOS

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Great video as always Gavin

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Kirsty. Thank you 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@@GavinHoey Hi Gavin your very welcome as always

[@FireLiteCreations]

4th of July lol! 🎇🗽🇺🇸 We get it. 😂

[@fotorealist4493]

Hello from Austria!

[@vinceklein603]

Recording works! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make the live. :)

[@1Shutterbug1]

Hi from Northern Virginia

[@DonaldWMeyers-dwm]

If you don't have a softbox, could you put a scrim/diffuser panel in front of the umbrella to get the same high-key effect?

[@teboholetsatsi9669]

From South Africa

[@JeromeCagnieul]

Hello from.France

[@user-yz6ej2qq2k]

Good morning. I'm watching the recording

[@Tuttle64]

Never mind, you went to the top shot and you can see which way the flash is pointing in the Softbox

[@GavinHoey]

I'm glad Freya had you covered with the camera angles 😁

[@616universe3]

Chloe ❤

[@RayESmith-hk4dp]

I watched the recording and found no problems whatsoever with the audio. I heard every word and sound clearly so I don't understand what that other viewer was experiencing - possibly some sort of fault with his own equipment!

[@oscarshimange8746]

Oscar Pretoria. South Africa.

[@RayESmith-hk4dp]

I don't see the amazing/awsome Chloe's tattoos. Were they temporary ones?

[@whittyp47]

Gavin, another great video. Can I ask what you v-flat was made from. It looked like a frame covered in canvas. While it may have been cumbersome as a V-Flat it looked awesome as a wall.

[@GavinHoey]

It's sheets of 3mm partial board screwed to a wooden frame made 2"x2" timber.

[@darlingtoncd]

I have a silver and white umbrella. The flash into a white umbrella is nice and soft but the silver umbrella a definite no no for me...harsh and multiple shadows

[@vperalta]

During the session I asked if you used a rectangular softbox, to which you answered in the affirmative. Assuming you have a round SB and rectangular SB available, when would you use one as opposed to the other?

[@GavinHoey]

Most of the time it really doesn't matter but anytime there's going to be a visible catchlight (like on shiny objects or eyes) then I'll choose the shape based on the results I want.

[@benn8]

Hello from the recording.

[@sanjayfgupta2167]

I wish the audio was clearer. Thank you..

[@GavinHoey]

How so (genuine question)😊

[@sanjayfgupta2167]

@@GavinHoey I had replied a little while ago, but it is not here now, so I will say again: Please compare the audio of this video to other posts on youtube to see that the audio here is not as clear as it should be. I notice that the lapel mike is pointing downwards. That most like must be the issue.

[@DonaldWMeyers-dwm]

If you're using a speedlight, what is the largest umbrella you can use?

[@GavinHoey]

Great question Donald. The largest umbrella you can use with a speedlight is the biggest one you own. The light spread of a speedlight will fill any sized umbrella so the question you need to ask yourself is how much light you need? For example, I used my smallest speedlight in my biggest (7' parabolic) umbrella during this live session kzbin.infoF8ORQPmxWXo?si=-QSLAFHEA5lDijPr&t=1435

[@Tuttle64]

Which way is the flash facing in the soft box?

[@GavinHoey]

The flash is at the back on the softbox (shoot through) and the front on a reflective umbrella (shoot into).

[@pattymattes7124]

Where can I get a light strainer? 🙂

[@GavinHoey]

They're super rare Patty. I did hear that a homeware shop had accidently sold some Light Strainer knock offs as cutlery drainers but I can't confirm that rumour 😉

[@RollingChi4life]

Hello!

[@waynetuckson7909]

Hello from recording people.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Hello recorded Gavin.

[@AR-vf7vg]

oh this space is actually watched ?

[@tiemtran6165]

like

[@vinhkhoi5657]

Hello

[@buzbragdon9282]

How did you decide to use a silver umbrella rather than a white umbrella?

[@GavinHoey]

I wanted to match the softbox and umbrella in as many ways as I could (using gear I already own / use) and a silver umbrella ticked that box. White vs Silver umbrellas sounds like another video / live to me, if there's enough interest.

[@photo2000]

It would have been more comparable to use a white umbrella and softbox. This way you could compared shadow edges, spread of light in room etc... silver produces quite a different output in terms of softness and direction.

[@Gerlae81]

If you bought a sock to cover the umbrella wouldn't it create that one stop of light like the soft box...

[@GavinHoey]

It depends on the density of the sock but also the softbox I was using also has an inner diffuser, a dappled silver texture and the light position is reversed (compared to the umbrella). They all to the mix to make a simple yes / no answer a lot harder. But basically, you're probably about right 😉

[@jobolitz5753]

What is model's name and instagram please?

[@AR-vf7vg]

Is this video about beer?

[@DonaldWMeyers-dwm]

Better your photographer say "Oh, my goodness!" than your surgeon or dentist.

[@wbuttry1]

I want fran as my wife she is so beautiful and a red head like me.

[@simongentry]

so… did I miss you taking about umbrella socks? effectively making them a poor man’s soft box?

[@GavinHoey]

I mentioned it right at the end Simon. It might be something I can return to in a future Adorama TV live session,

[@simongentry]

@@GavinHoey Absolutely, I very rarely see real world usage and how effective the ‘socks’ can be… there is an alternative to soft boxes. ☕️

[@AR-vf7vg]

Nobody could possibly see my previous two attempts to annonce the worldwide survey starting now and here, with this jubileum take number 500'000'th investgating this exact same theme. ("wich ...is more versatile?" The question is : In Year 2030, how many more of such indispensable, lively, uncomercial films with the same subject will ne available (english only) ? The game is on !

[@howard11792]

Hello