Comparing Photography Light Modifiers

Excuse the shake B roll, trying a few new things to make my videos better, but I think I need less coffee before holding a camera

From Softboxes to umbrellas, I go through a wide range of modifers including a sunbounce, indirect octabank, 2 meter extra large softbox, umbrellas with diffusion and beauty dishes. At the end of the video I go through what I think may be the best softbox or octabox for off camera flash ( ofc )

The video is a tad on the long side, but hopefully it is worth grabbing a coffee and allowing for a bit of time to watch

Some of the modifiers I have used can be purchased here;

bounce umbrella and diffuser small

In my bag I have;

[MrVirtualVlogger]

Thank you so much for taking the time to commands your buddy to door in the smart position for hours!!!

Seriously, it really helps my overall understanding even though I focus on video.

Everything is finally coming together.

[GradeZfilm]

Thank you. Your videos are very helpful. Slowly but surely I am understanding how light behaves.

[DaJunge]

Great video! Just one feedback point: I think it would be nice to get to see the modifiers for like 4-5 seconds longer, to know how they look like and how they are constructed.

But except for that great video!
Cheers from Germany!

[Rogier]

Thanks. Two comments:
1. It might be me, or it might be the video, but I don't quite see the differences in skin tone between a number of the modifiers. The distinction between hard light and soft light is clear enough, but the difference between defused and specular light is not quite as clear with some modifiers as you make it out to be.
2. It's good that you have all the modifiers at the same distance. But the character of modifiers change as you move them closer or further from your subject. It surprises me you do not mention this.

[dezauart]

Brilliant, very much enjoyed the comparison but loved your finishing punch line

[SusanneGeert]

​ @Tin House Studio Thank you for sharing this ;-) QUICK QUESTION: I found it a bit difficult to follow along with your mentionns of umbrellas - there was one you certainly didn't like and others you do like. I didn't understand if it was the exact brand there you didn't like or this type of modifier.
I want to have a good versatile modifier to use for branding photoshoots indoor and in dfferent environments. It has to catch the person and the environment/room (not necessarily the entire room but like for instance a ceramist working in her workspace - close ups and full body + a bit of environmen.). I have a white shoot-through umbrella around 100 cm and a Godox 120 cm octabox. I am considering getting a 135/150 cm (white or silver) bounce umbrella with diffusion since I have an idea this would spread the light better than the two options I have now and use for other purposes. What are your thoughts? For lights I have 1 Godox AD 600B + 1 Godox AD200.
Thanks a lot in advance ;-)

[mrz]

thank you for your video. what is your editing monitor? brand and model please.

[brian]

Hi, what do you think about using Rosco diffuser?

[mirimeira]

I really would love black and white photos especially portraits what are tips you can give us ? Many thanks.

[bartabz]

I would love to see the photos from that campaign that the courier didn't show up with the gear @TinHouseStudio

[FoodTechLife]

Since I live in a tiny apartment I got an Aputure Light Dome Mini ii. I would like a larger one of course but it would be a pain.
They also have a lantern with adjustable flaps which is enticing.
One of those 5 in one reflectors also is helpful.
How did you mess up your audio?

[robertconchie]

An interesting video. I was actually looking for something that would compare light quality from an expensive softbox to a cheap one. Not to be critical, but you compare the light quality from different sized light modifiers all from the same distance. The quality of light hardnes/softness/falloff is dependent on the relative size of the light source to the subject. A small softbox will have a less soft light than a larger one when compared from the same distance. When brought closer, so that the relative size is the same, the quality of light should be virtually the same

[gruhl]

Nice comparisons, but it would be really helpful if you showed each modifier in the actual video, and exactly where it was set up.

[MudreFilms]

Could you link to the sun reflector? The one in the comments is broken and I loved the quality of that light. Thanks for this exhaustive test!

[daveroberts]

great video - but some of these links oare a little naff as they time out - can you put a direct link to amazon?

[crollinsphoto]

Would have been more helpful if it was designated in the title Off Camera light modifiers.