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Old 05-29-2007   #5 (permalink)
kgphoto
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Default Re: umbrella vs. softbox

OK, if I answer this you gotta give me some Karma.

The answer is: No.

OK, to elaborate. An umbrella, either shoot through or not, bounces a wider spread of light, so more hits the back ground, etc. Also, some power is lost due to it not going toward the subject matter. Also, some scatter hits walls and ceilings and then hits subject oft times fill the shadows some. If none of that affects your image in a negative way to you, then no problem.

Soft boxes contain light in a, um, well, a box. IF the front is recessed it even cuts the light more off, reducing the spread. IF fitted with grids or louvers, even more so. Also, since there is not a rod or light unit or light stand between the light and the subject, you get cleaner high lights. You can get covers that change the shape from rectangular to round, if you feel you must have round catch lights to mimic the Sun.

A more important question might be what do the different sizes do to the image? Search these forums for the answer.
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