Im my experience - 12 years - it's quite the opposite. I believe my photgraphs show this very clearly. So does the documentation available from Broncolor/Visatec - IMO.
Softboxes tend to diffuse/soften and distribute the light a lot, simply because the light goes trough a big cloth. I think perhaps softboxes got their name for that reason. The good things about softboxes is that they tend distribute light very evenly, with jsut a slightly brighter "hot-spot" in the middle. Softboxes tend to deliver deeper shadows, because they create less "flare" (less light hitting anwhere), than an umbrella. Umbrellas reflect the light a curved surface (parabola) - in principle it works similar to the headlights of a car. But that's just the way I see it. I use my umbrellas as reflecftors rather than for softening the light, by shooting through it (fill-in light excempted). If I want the light soft and even, I use a softbox, rarely a through-lit umbrella. I guess some confusion about the matter is based by the fact, that there are many different umbrellas; gold, silver, white (matte or shiny), transparent etc. - and some of them (the transparent ones) can be turned/used as a "soft box"). The good thing about umbrellas is that they are foldable and easy/fast to dismantle and transport. Umbrellas tend to produce a star-shaped reflection in the eyes of the model or on reflective surfaces of the objects photographed. Some people find this unattractive. Umbrellas tend to create a "flare" - to distribute light in many directions/unevenly in the studio. This makes umbrellas usfull for fill-in light and certain styles of portraits (beauty light). In the studio I use softboxes 90% of the time. At home/at an assignment I use umbrellas 90% of the time. Simply for space/transport reasons. And I guess a through-lit umbrella can be regarded as a "poor mans softbox". Which is better is perhaps not really the issue. It depends on how you want your photographs and whether transport/space/even light is a big issue or not. Personally I think Broncolor/Visatec is a pretty usefull source of information on the subject: http://stage.bron.ch/bc_pd_lg_es_en/ Jens Bladt mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Collin Brendemuehl [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 12. januar 2005 18:22 Til: [email protected] Emne: RE: Soft Box or Umbrella, which is better? Don't think of them as interchangable. Softboxes and umbrellas server some different purposes. Umbrellas diffuse more. (And I'm talking about reflecting indirectly off an umbrella rather than directly through one, that giving a similar result as the use of a softbox.) I use a softbox when WANT to stop down further. That allows me to make the background drop out more. And there are other reasons. When you want more light and more contrast, shoot more directly. (soft box) When you want softer light, softer shadows, lower contrast, diffuse the light more with indirect reflections. (Umbrella) Sincerely, C. Brendemuehl Caveat: This information should be viewed critically. It may merit as much technical excellence as a CBS news report. ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at mail.safe-t.net
