Comparing 3 Different Softbox Sizes (Interesting Results!)

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[SjoerdWess]

Okay, let's be honest. After watching the video, which softbox impressed you the most?👇🏼

[matheussp]

As a cinematographer, our job is to make a slightly more interesting version of reality that needs to be also believable. I feel like the most natural to my eyes is the 90 one. Once you go bigger, it starts to look 'too perfect' for most environments, making it less believable.

Despite of that, I have a 47' and a Mini Dome but i'm selling the bigger one because of light spread. As you can see at 04:01, Hollywood Cinematographers often use Litemats or a Softer light source bounced, it makes everything so much better. Flexible Lights ans Litemat offers consistent light spread but they're also bighter (vs parabolic softbox), only a bit more expensive and the most important: Easy of Use.

A top-down lighting setup like the one at 04:18 requires a not only a strong C-Stand, Arm, Sandbag but also a ton of space, which we often don't really have in reality. A 2X2 Litemat/Flexible LED with an extra layer of diffusion would offer roughly the same amount of light, softness compared with a 90' Softbox and you could hold it with your hand, since it weights 500g.

Point light sources are really versatile but for a key light they come with this caveat.

Easy of use is the most underated factor in Cinematography.

[gretabonnaud]

Your videos have a relaxing and cosy feel, while being really informative and inspiring. :)

[DThrills]

I have small softboxes.
For a large effect I hang a sheet.
This also allows you to adjust the distance of the light source from the diffusion.

[keyonthomas]

Love how simplified this video is. Before this video, I was stressing about which soft box to get, but because of your coloring skills this was further proof to me that it’s not the gear but the artist. I could barely tell the difference only when I looked closely and tried to nit picked at the difference in highlight harshness and still came to the same conclusion. Great work!!

[MrStibaer]

Great structure, great side by side comparison, exactly what i was looking for, thank you! 🙏🏼

[Andy-howx]

Thanks for the comparison! Besides the light becoming softer, contrast also increases by moving the light source closer to the subject!

[lifescansdarkly]

I was hoping I wouldn't like the Light Dome 150 because I couldn't fit it in my studio, but unfortunately it was my favorite across the board! Skin imperfections just melt away and it's super flattering.

[MrFraiche]

This test is perfect. Shows the effect of both key variables newbies need to know when setting up lights: size of soft box and distance.

[byFedericoKapitany]

wow! the top down light really blew me it changes almost everything!! well done, top content right here!

[shauncy]

Dude your videos are awesome! I'm impressed. Very articulate and to the point. I hope you continue to grow.

[saile_]

THANK YOUU for the quick, effective and detailed explanation!!

[PinkPerch]

Finally! After watching 20+ videos I found this one. Amazing job! That's the way such videos should be made. Thank you Sjoerd <3

[ShirtlessMenNetwork]

Oof. That opening made my knees buckle. And I'm sitting down! 😂

[bbrunorocha]

great videos !! i love the side by side comparison you did, really shows the difference ! The bigger the source, the better for sure, but you would also need stronger grip to handle all the weight

I've been using the aputure lantern because of this, it's still a nice size and not as heavy as other modifiers, helps a lot when doing a top light setup

[santiagoserrano]

Great information. Just adding that 1. the bigger the source... and 2. the closer the source... follow the same principle. A source "increases" in apparent size when it gets closer to the subject, or vice versa. For example, the moon is a huge source, but if it's really far away, it appears "small".

[jserenity]

Thanks for the detailed and with actual example explanations. As a newbie, I learned

[paulm]

Clearly presented, illustrated, and explained, Sjoerd. Clever thumbnail. Side by side comparison shots and animated pic-in-pic work well. Font on diagram insets could have been larger — enough room. Post was silent on light wattages used; all the same power though, right?
Have no size preference. My issue is more mundane — collapsing the things after use - no kidding.
Channel suggestion: Add subject related hashtags (like #softboxlighting) to vid description. I understand that adding tags can boost channel exposure/views/subs from tag based search results (if that makes sense). Including a geotag for your location might also be a plus.

[MrOnemorerene]

For the top light the smallest, for the rest, the biggest!

Great video, do more!)

[_ballistic]

I photograph people as a hobby. Like... strangers and people I meet on the street. This guy would be the first one I would ask to take a photo of ahahaha