Lighting Modifiers

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WhiteLight

Senior Member
I've so far kinda decided on the strobes i would like to get.
Was wondering what would be good to get for modifiers..
Too much information out there to run through though I tried a bit..

Any advice appreciated!
 
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Mfrankfort

Senior Member
The basics are a good place to start. Just got into off camera flash recently and did a bunch of research. I like a nice soft box, umbrella, and bare light as 3 good options. I can only afford 1 flash right now, lol, but once you have those, you can add reflectors, beauty dishes... etc. Cowboy studios makes awesome stuff as far as umbrellas and softboxes for pretty cheap. But I feel like an Umbrella and a softbox are good starts. Also grids you can do some cool things with as far as hairlight and background light. Also, check out this video. Everyone knows how I love me some Mark Wallace, haha.
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Light Modifiers: Ep 240: Digital Photography 1 on 1 - YouTube
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Is there any quality difference across brands?
I've seen the Elinchrom, Profoto and some others being sworn with.....
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
carguy said:
I have a couple of shoot through umbrellas and a 43" reflector. I'll probably add Honeycomb speed And a Rogue Flash bender to the gear bag soon:

Rogue: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UOIMBW
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​grid: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002
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These are usually the essentials for basic set-up. You can also add gels to change the color on your background.

Recently I purchased a Honl snoot for my speed light. I will be using it for my background and for hair highlight.

Strobist: Lighting 101: Snoots and Gobos and Grids

Speed Grid
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
Yes differant brands are better than others. Do alot of reading on the reviews. I find thats the best way to get the answers you want. Profoto is some pretty awesome stuff.
I own the D1 air system but dont but their umbrellas or soft boxes. Way to over priced. Shoot through umbrellas are at the bottom of the quality of light list. They waste alot of light by spreading it everywhere. Plus some of the light gets reflected away from the subject. Next on the list is the bounce type umbrellas. Little more control but not as good as softboxes. Do you need softboxes. Absolutley not. Bouncing the light of walls and ceilings is also a very good way to create a light source. Remember the larger the light source the softer it will be on you're subject. If you want further control, thats where grids, barndoors, honeycombs and snoots come in. Do alot of research and try and learn as much as you can because good lighting is key to awesome photos. Another thing, not all monolights are the same. Just because it says 500ws doesn't mean it is. A good you tube video that explains the differance between ws is from Marc Wallace on Adorama TV. Worth watching.
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
FastGlass said:
Yes differant brands are better than others. Do alot of reading on the reviews. I find thats the best way to get the answers you want. Profoto is some pretty awesome stuff.
I own the D1 air system but dont but their umbrellas or soft boxes. Way to over priced. Shoot through umbrellas are at the bottom of the quality of light list. They waste alot of light by spreading it everywhere. Plus some of the light gets reflected away from the subject. Next on the list is the bounce type umbrellas. Little more control but not as good as softboxes. Do you need softboxes. Absolutley not. Bouncing the light of walls and ceilings is also a very good way to create a light source. Remember the larger the light source the softer it will be on you're subject. If you want further control, thats where grids, barndoors, honeycombs and snoots come in. Do alot of research and try and learn as much as you can because good lighting is key to awesome photos. Another thing, not all monolights are the same. Just because it says 500ws doesn't mean it is. A good you tube video that explains the differance between ws is from Marc Wallace on Adorama TV. Worth watching.
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Thanks FastGlass.
I was actually reading up on some of Elinchrom's modifiers cos in all probability i am looking at getting two RX600s.
Though there is a bit of info about modifiers in general, i haven't really come across any which talk specifically about Elinchrom's modifiers.
There seem to tons of options, with varying sizes as well.
So is it more of a trial & error kinda thing?
I don't have any option of renting these and testing them, so i don't want to be spending money on something that may just be short of what i actually need :)
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
It really comes down to what you want to do. Because lighting up a persons head and shoulders can be done with a 30" umbrella. But you can also use a 30" umbrella to act as fill to a larger subject. But to light a full body portrait you'll want something like a 24x60" softbox or even a 60" umbrella. To get good soft light it needs to be fairly close to you're subject. So the closer it is the more light fall off becomes an issue. So many variables to tell you what you should get. Most people actually start with the 30" or so umbrella that comes with the kit and realize what it can and can't do and build from there. Once you start using something you learn what it's limitations are. So you'll eventually learn second nature on what gear you'll need for any specific situation. The size of the strobe plays a big role as well. You put a 250ws strobe in a 60" umbrella. Sure it may light up a portrait but you'll be hard pressed to light up a group.
 
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