$20 Umbrella or $200 softbox. Umbrellas can do what you need in many cases!

With all the outrageously priced modifiers out there and some of them even costing more because of a name on the outside, why not try an umbrella!? They can do the same thing as many of the modifiers out there at less than 1/10 of the cost.

Someone adding their name to the outside doesn’t change the light from the inside. 😂😂

[jonjanson]

You are exactly right! Over 30+ years I've tried pretty much everything that's now gathering dust in the cupboard. I now use pretty much just umbrellas, silver, white, shoot through and as cheap as possible. An umbrella is about the best way of making something small big!

[eoslove]

You are the truth and the light and the reason we keep coming back! Nice pics on the shoot, , , that couple should be happy.

[VagabondKing]

The last photo in this video is my favorite of all that you have shared.

[ArminHirmer]

since I have my Godox umbrella, I am not using any of the other cumbersome stuff :) well said

[zerlionngo]

Truth has been spoken. In the world of videography people use book lighting a lots and I do find many other ways you can diffuse the light rather than softbox. Thanks sir!

[Costibuzdugan]

Exactly what i see on my experience.. i buy a lot shit just because i see on YouTube.. you are best! Respect!

[mjcz]

Just found your channel. Excellent content, thanks for keeping it real.

[bugsybunny]

John, I hope you realise how valuable this information is to somebody like me. I would call myself a gifted amateur. I have wanted to take my family/friends' portraits/pics to another level by introducing flash etc. But as a natural light shooter for 40 years: where do I start? This helps. I realise this is probably a big ask: but is it possible to do a flash/lighting 101 for beginners series of videos.
Kind Regards Brian

[smalltalk.productions]

was the speedlight with the yellow gel behind the male or did i see it off to the side aimed at the gray backdrop? as always, thanks for the effort and the sharing. i am an appreciative subscriber. thumbs up.

[thelongarmmarine]

My latest toy/experiment, is the lantern softbox…tried the cheap one…nearly impossible to set up…got a Godox, the 1st one lost its lock ring nut…the 2nd was fine, but the SmallRig is the best & easiest to set up, but smaller than the Godox…but dreaming about the big Nanlite…lol…I’ve found it quite useful in real estate shots as well as head shots…

[Garbid]

Very informative! Thanks! Was thinking about buying first modifier. You save me money) i think I will go with deep umbrella 130cm or 105 with white diffuser)