Best for fill, octabox, softbox, umbrella, or bracket flash...

[Ted C.]

It seems I see umbrellas used most often for fill lighting in photos of studios.* If this is true, I'm curious as to why. If not, do any of these modifiers have any particular advantage for use as a fill source?

Another question I have about fill light is does the size of the light matter.* ** I read a lot about size as it pertains to main or key lighting and wonder if the size of the light source has any bearing for fill as long as one gets the right contrast or ratio to main...

[jtsmith]

Originally Posted by Ted C.

It seems I see umbrellas used most often for fill lighting in photos of studios.* If this is true, I'm curious as to why. If not, do any of these modifiers have any particular advantage for use as a fill source?

Another question I have about fill light is does the size of the light matter.* ** I read a lot about size as it pertains to main or key lighting and wonder if the size of the light source has any bearing for fill as long as one gets the right contrast or ratio to main...

I love to use umbrellas for fill. Usually I will place the umbrella up high and directly behind me while having* main camera right or left.

Size of the light always matters. Umbrellas will spill in a much broader pattern then a soft box. Soft boxes will control it a little more depending on size and distance.* Strip domes will narrow the path even more. If you want fill light on the face but not the body or clothes, you might use a snoot or grid.

J T
http://www.supershoots.com
http://www.supershoots.net