Light modifiers

How to choose a softbox

1. Form

• Round softboxes and octaboxes They produce a natural, round reflection in the eyes, and their light is even and beautiful in portraits. The most versatile choice if you’re buying your first softbox.
• Squares and rectangular softboxes Their light is similar to that from a window. They are ideal for product photography, food photography and studio portraits, and make it easy to illuminate large surfaces evenly.
• Strip softboxes They are narrow and long. They are used to create edge lighting, illuminate the entire body and highlight the shapes of products.
• Lantern softboxes They diffuse light in all directions. They are popular for video shoots, interviews and situations where soft ambient lighting is required.

2. Size

The larger the softbox in relation to the distance from the subject, the softer the light will be. A 60–90 cm softbox is generally suitable for portrait photography, a 90–120 cm softbox for half-length and group shots, and a larger octabox or strip softbox for full-length shots. For product photography, a smaller softbox is often sufficient, as the subject is close by.

3. Fastening

The softbox is attached to the light with a speedring. The most common type of fastening is Bowens, which is used by most studio flashes and LED lights, including Godox and Nanlite. A hot-shoe flash can be attached to a Bowens softbox using a flash bracket, such as the one on the Godox S2, or you can use lightweight accessories designed for hot-shoe flashes hand-held flash modifiers.

4. Quick-release fastening, depth and accessories

This quick-set-up softbox, which opens like an umbrella, is quick to assemble and easy to transport. The deep, parabolic softbox produces a slightly higher-contrast and more directional light than the shallow model. Most softboxes feature both an inner and an outer diffuser, and they are available honeycomb, which confines the light to a narrower area and prevents it from spreading into the background.

Other light modifiers

• Beauty dishes They produce a light that is more contrasty than that of a softbox, yet still controlled. Popular in fashion and portrait photography.
• Shadows are the cheapest and quickest way to soften light. They spread the light over a wide area.
• Reflectors and scrimmages soften, enhance or filter light, even outdoors in natural light.
• Lenses and reflectors focus the light precisely onto a small area.
• Gel films and gobot colour and pattern the light, and light tents make it easier to photograph small items.

The key brands in our range are Godox and Nanlite. If you also choose to use a flash, see A comparison of Godox flashes.

Frequently asked questions

Softbox or umbrella?

An umbrella is cheaper and quicker to set up, but its light spreads over a wide area and is more difficult to control. A softbox provides a more even and better-directed light, and you can fit a honeycomb grid to it. For studio photography, a softbox is usually the better choice.

What size softbox should I use for portrait photography?

A round softbox or octabox measuring 60–90 cm is well suited to portraits of a single person. When the softbox is close to the subject, the light is soft and the shadows fall beautifully.

Is a softbox suitable for an LED light?

That’s fine. Most LED lights, such as the Godox and Nanlite models, have a Bowens mount to which the softbox attaches directly. There are also dedicated softboxes for smaller LED panels.

Does the softbox work with a hot-shoe flash?

It works. You can attach a hot-shoe flash to a Bowens softbox using a flash bracket, or you can opt for a lightweight softbox designed specifically for hot-shoe flashes. For large softboxes, a pocket flash, such as the Godox AD200, is usually a better choice than a hot-shoe flash, as it provides sufficient power.

Can I try out the light modifiers before buying them?

Welcome to our shop in Kouvola. We’ll help you choose the right softbox and mounting for your light. You can also ask us via chat or email [email protected] or by telephone on 05 375 3220.