Softbox vs Umbrella, Don’t Make This Rookie Mistake!

Don't make this mistake when you buy your first modifier. We're going to take a look at a square soft box, a round soft box and an umbrella. Which one is best for you? Don't waste your money! Buy the right thing the first time. Take a look at the video and let us know which you prefer!

Westcott 36" Rapid Box Switch Octa-M:

Westcott Rapid Box Switch 2'x3' Softbox

Westcott 45” Convertible Umbrella - Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover 

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Timestamps:
00:00 Softbox vs Umbrella
00:26 Why You Need a Modifier
01:10 First Modifier - Square or Rectangle Softbox
02:36 Shooting with Horizontal Softbox
03:26 Octo-dome Softbox
03:33 SKB Cases - Yasi - What’s In My SKB Case
04:34 Westcott 36” Octa Box
05:25 Shoot Through Umbrella
07:21 Umbrella with Black cover and Bounce Light
08:56 Compare Different Light Modifiers
09:31 Mistake Most People Make For First Purchase

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GEAR USED:

Canon C200

Canon 24-70 2.8

Sony A7 RIII

Canon EOS R

Tamron 24-70mm 2.8 G2

Tamron 28-75 2.8

Tamron 17-28 2.8

Sennheiser G4 Wireless Lav

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The Slanted Lens is a photography and video YouTube channel where we feature photography and lighting tutorials, camera reviews, photo and video related product reviews and industry business tips. Our founder, Jay P. Morgan, has been working as a Commercial Photographer and Film Director/DP in the Los Angeles area for more than 30 years developing an impressive list of clients from Paramount to McDonald's. Jay P.'s experience with elaborate set design and extensive lighting are key to the success of his illustrative work. Jay P has also taught college level photography and video courses for many years. He is happy to share his knowledge with you. Join us by subscribing and asking questions that we are happy to answer!

[TheOlandex]

"If you don't agree with me, then you probably don't know what you're doing"! 😂 Oh I love the honesty there! Not something you hear every day.
I will say that while there's almost always more than one way to do things, I've seen enough of your tutorials to know you've got a lot to teach people. If they don't want to listen, that's their loss. Keep on keepin' on!

[dirkpehrke]

Great video, straight to the point and very educational. And the 17, - umbrella saves my wallet❤ Nice example shots.

[christhompsonphotography]

I second your suggestion of getting an octobox before you get a box. I love the octobox for portraits. The umbrella is what I started with, and paid for itself 10000 times over.

[frpahe]

Excellent video, very structured, very clear images and recommendations!!!

[DonMascarpon]

1:07 actually it's the other way around, the silver surface area in the box makes the light source bigger and thus softens it while the white cloth at the front diffuses the light. Soft vs Hard, Diffused vs Specular

[steveolesen]

I use a bounce umbrella with diffusion...cheapest and best option in my opinion

[seymour-digital]

I shoot environmental portraits. Setup time is crucial because I'd much rather spend the time working with the subject and dressing the environment (if needed) than putting a soft box together. For this reason, I really love umbrellas. Nothing sets up faster. It takes about 2 seconds.

Shoot through umbrellas are nice. I use smaller variants of these when space is limited because a small 'shoot through' just out of frame can be a big source when shooting a medium shot. When space is less limited, I go larger white umbrella. I prefer white which gives a much softer quality than silver. And when I need it, I can put a diffuser over the white bounce umbrella which transforms it into an incredibly soft "book light". Much softer than an octabox would give you and it can absolutely pass as ambient window light just out of frame.

The only time I use a soft box is when I also need to use a control grid. Usually for purposes of a slightly harder look to the key light (with less wrap), or a more motivated look to an accent / background light, or for purposes of keeping the preserving all of the ambient background lighting in the occasions where the natural background lighting already looks perfect and I just want to put a bit more light on my subject.

But generally speaking, I think for natural looking images, which is what I strive for, with less of a "fashion look" to the lighting, umbrellas are a wonderful tool.

[hveluwen]

Weird thoughts about the standard reflector. First, it *is* a modifier, without we’ld call it bare bulb lighting. Second, standard reflectors and deep focus reflectors are typically used to create clair-obscur Rembrandt lighting: exaggerated shadows and dark backrounds. I love it. So don’t throw it away.

[demonhunter]

I like how you explain everything in detail. Unfortunately, I am one of those guys who bought a couple square softboxes. I think I'll be upgrading to octaboxes. Thanks for the explanation, you look like Bruce Campbell which make the video more delightful.

[jamesmonahan]

My first modifier, 22" umbrella. fabulous light.

[Bishnu_Deb]

Excellent presentation about the various modifiers. I like the shoot thru umbrella's effect for the portrait shoot. Thanks JP, love from India.

[JaneyInTheMoment]

Great video. Photography is not the favorite task as a reseller. You helped me make a decision for how to raise my skill level. Thank you

[DynoosHD]

The catch light in the eye is much better with the umbreller than the octo. Nice round shape with a fade to the edge.

[emj]

Thank you for the demo! I like both octa soft box and umbrella (shoot through). Go Westcott!

[DavisInDuval]

I use multiple westcott rapid boxes. Love them.

[nareshkgulati]

Explained in details, with easy example. Best part for me (though difficult for the model to remember) is that her face angle and smile are exactly the same in every pic and as result thereof I am able to understand light effect properly. Thanks again please.

[markgoostree]

I like the round soft box best. I thought it gave the softness that looked best. The only modifier I've used is a shoot through umbrella when we shot the last directory for church. I am just a novice but these pictures came out very nice and they were happy. Mostly the pictures were couples. Two families were five members so maybe the shoot through helped me more than I realized. Very good video and great pictures so we could compare the lighting. Thank you!

[FredRogers-ooyd]

Thank y'all so much. I have a bunch of new graduation photo business this and next months and this video gave me exactly the information I need. I really appreciate it.

[tommynikon]

I’ve followed JP for years, and even as a grizzled, graying commercial shooter (me)…I’ve learned a lot. HOWEVER….where I diverge in philosophy is: given how CHEAP light mods are, it’s hard to say that the first purchase has to be “x”. There’s a ton of Chinese branded stuff that makes PROFESSIONAL results possible…at a fraction of the costs going back decades. Lighting gear wise, it’s NEVER been cheaper or more plentiful in inventory choices.🎉

[gbwalther]

Octo-Dome Soft Box All the Way! The Sistine Chapel Vertical Side Up. Well, kind of--Why Not think like an Artisssst? 😎😎