Thanks, Daniel! I don't have specific soft box questions, but am always interested to see whatever the next thing is from you, because your excellent results speak for themselves. You've shared tons of information in the past, and it's all been hugely helpful to me. Thanks again.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!

Great video. My favorite go to softbox is the 60" Impact Luxbanx octa. Just the right size for anything.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Just right for anything!! I like that

Good to see a credible video on softboxes. Foldability in the times you need one in the field is very important. And bowens mount has the most modifiers...

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed

I'm loving this channel...thanks so much for the education!

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Excellent explanation… THANK YOU !!!!!!

Great video, which is actually normal from what I’m seeing so thank you again. I have several octas, 17-42” haven’t picked up a softbox though it’s on my list. Lately I’ve been playing with the 3, 7’ umbrellas from westcott. I love using the silver one partially closed down focusing the light on my subject (wife LoL). ✌🏼

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Cool. Those umbrellas are great

Always learning from your videos Daniel. I'm just starting out with a 41 shoot through umbrella. Finally ordered wireless trigger to solve the line of sight issues. Went with a godox R2 pro and a receiver for the speedlight. Hopefully next I can grab the AD400.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Cool!

My main modifier is the Westcott Apollo Orb (43" octobox). It too fires into the back of the box which is silver. I used to use a pair of Yongnuo speed lights but now the Godox 360 which is a powerhouse and provides hi-speed sync. The drawback here is you have to reach inside to adjust the flash power, but like anything, once you get used to it… I also use a 24" square softbox from CheetahStand which come with a grid. It's more manageable outside on location, but both go with me regardless of the site. Always great info in your videos, thanks for the effort.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Nice!

Great sharing of knowledge!

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Another great video! I always thought the more softboxes we use the more we can charge.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

This is of course also true

Really enjoy these. I'd like to see why you pick a certain modifier over another, for a particular job/style/shoot.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Ah good question/ idea

I've got a few softboxes but find myself using strip boxes a lot, especially with grids. They are great for smaller studios or cramped location shoots, because you can control where the light falls well with them. For tight portraits use them on their side to get lots of wrap around or with the grid for more contrast, then uses them upright for 3/4-full length shots. I use a 36in octa outside on location, big strip boxes turn into sails outside! lol

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

I do love me some strip boxes!

So now I’m curious to see how you use the reflectors in action with the soft box for different looks as opposed to multiple lights. I’ve never been a fan of reflectors because I want the control a light gives me. Thanks again.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Ah, yes. Good topic

This was helpful. I’d like to see some photos that demonstrate the difference between the rectangle vs the octagon.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

This I could do, the main issue though it each one has an "ideal" position to place it in - if I place them both the same you will see the difference but not really a fair "comparison" as you would not place them the same.. does that make sense? - Let me see what I can do, I've been asked this a bunch.

Super helpful, thank you man. just subbed.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻

Thanks for the video Daniel. I was literally looking online looking to buy some softboxes. Your video was perfectly timed. Great advice! I'll settle on a Glow EZ lock 2x3 and glow parabolic.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@gosman949

2 жыл бұрын

the glows are nice, still have yours?

thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us Daniel,always informative and interesting,not to mention entertaining too.my thoughts are about positiong the lights and modifiers for different lighting patterns and feathering/using the edge for specific looks.not sure if you have covered these already,but your own take on these subjects would be great.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Not specifically- but I will see how I can make that work as a video

@ahmedhashmi3584

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer feathering 101 would be a good idea

Thanks to your vid ( and comments) I 'm yet looking to buy another softtbox, this time straight one hahaha! The one that I have that I absolutely love is the Elinchrom 190 cm! A beast but it throws a great light, soft but yet crispy in some ways !

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

cool, I do love those Rotalux boxes.. something about their material is just special

Soft boxes are good in studio with a grid when you need to control the direction of the light and when space is not a problem. They are also excellent for creating rectangular reflections in product photography. Umbrellas are better for flat front light sources (like a Profoto) and they are much more portable. Umbrellas can be mounted with a diffuser on the front, that emulates the characteristics of a flat front soft box.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻🙌🏻

Another great video Daniel, always like your posts. Could we have a video about your views on beauty dishes, e.g white or silver, dimensions, ways of using with grids or socks etc. I think that would be very useful to me as I'm intending to buy one soon. Thank you

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

hmm, this is intersting, let me see if I can borrow a white one to compare

@WHITELIONNYC

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer I have a white one. You can borrow any and all of my equipment! 🤠👍

I always looked octoboxs as a broader non-directional light source Great as a fill light or if you want round catch lights in the eyes but as a main light it is less controllable. Rectangle boxes have a leading and trailing edge which makes it more accurate for light placement.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed, good points

Hi Daniel, I have 2 DIY 12" x 36" soft-boxes. They are lightweight, rigid and actually very sturdy. the internal baffle came out great and give very even light before mounting the outer diffusion. They are made of rigid white foam board internally with a black foam boar exterior to avoid leakage and covered in black cloth material with some side trims to give it a pleasant professional look and feel. Used them for a few years now and still look great, just bought some Adorama Bowens Mounts to modify them for when I receive my AD200's tomorrow and my R2 Pro Mark 2 trigger :-) Since I'm going to start gelling as for over 13 years I hardly gelled, to avoid spillage of colors and or spillage of white light to a gel colored background, I'm going to design a pair of grids from a few rolls of 1-1/4 in black cloth. I was thinking of just buying a pair of 1' x 3' grid but the problem is that I have yet to know of a lighting company that knows how to measure, Not Godox, Neewer, Glow, Pro Photo, none. For all of then a 36 inch something measures 34 inches, a 60 inch anything measures 58 inches. Why can't they use a tape measure, looks like they take an employee and sees their arm and say, yea, that's about 3 feet..."Everybody, measure the 3 feet soft-box using John's arms length" hahahaha BTW if you put 2 - 1 x 3's side by side at an open V angle about 160 degrees instead of a full 180 degrees, you will get the same output as one 2 x 3 and even as a backlight, the camera will see only one light :-)

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻🙌🏻

Have or can you do a video on best bang for buck strobes . And also on which soft boxes set up and tear down the easiest in the field . (Brands on each. Thanks love you vids

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Two subjects that may seem simple but are actually quite complex 😊

Cool video

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

Thank You!

Good video one on how to use a light box

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

photek softlighter please...also...I tend to use a round modifier unless I'm in a limited height ceiling (home, hotel room, even a boat)...then I prefer the straight edge of a 24x36 seems to a little more efficient...thanks for the videos...very helpful

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Good point - flat sides can get you flush to the ceiling!

Please consider that amateurs may need more light control because they're working in small spaces at home, perhaps with low ceilings . An umbrella or flat-front may spill too much light. And an octo, while nice for wraparound light, ignores the FANTASTIC effects you can get with edging light away form the subject - something that egg crates (briefly mentioned) and rectangular boxes are especially good at. Heck, William Coupon made a career out of photographing celebrities and politicians with just a single 24x36 softbox plug egg crate and reflector. Wraparound is great, but it's not the end-all and be-all ... but too often videos act like that's what you really want (and advise for people assuming they can shoot in a cavernous studio where you can easily place model 6 ft from backdrop - again, something most amateurs won't be easily able to do in a small home space).

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

👀

I'm waiting to see how you use the flashbender modifiers to get a pleasing portrait

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

I made some portraits of Erica which are on my Instagram. No video though - I’ll put it on the list!!

I've only used umbrellas so far, since I'm just a cheap duffer (I do pro bono shoots for a couple of non-profits I'm with. I've been paid a couple of times for other work, looking to step that up). I've acquired a 60" Photek Softlighter that I'm itching to try out.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Cool! I used umbrellas as my primary for many years

I am always appreciative of your videos, Daniel. Thank you. I bought a number of soft boxes and was confused by the number of different types of flashgun mounts. Some are quite fiddly but the ones that I have found that I like are the Bowens mount, where the flash head is effectively clamped in place top and bottom. Really quick to assemble/disassemble the flash head. Could you put together a video that informs of the different mounts available and recommend what benefits each offers? Could save some newbies a lot of wasted money.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Typically the mount is determined by the light you buy, so if you have Bowens/Profoto/Speedotron etc you must use their mount.. I could do a quick overview, but honestly I would not buy a light based on the mount - there are other things I think are more vital.

Great video Daniel. Can u do a video in the future if u have time on how u sync your speed light to your camera when using off camera flash. I have a canon. Thanks!!

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Since every camera system is slightly different, I’m not sure that would be something I’ll cover, but let me see if there is a way to do it as an “overview” style

@ericthomas6014

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer Thanks!

I like my octaboxes because they have a rounded catchlight in the models eyes

Thanks, very informative and quick but it would be better to take some real photos and compare while real shooting and summarize in what case it is better to use octobox instead of square one. Also I'm really interested in how these softboxes will work with speedlights (does it worth at all putting a speed light into it, or maybe two at once) I hope that soon there will be such video from you with detailed review and comparison :)

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! To see them in use I have hundreds on videos here 😊 - even one (from this week) where I put speedlights in them!

Keep em coming 👍

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@robertocordero4682

5 жыл бұрын

I had to light a portrait shot where the girl was wearing a hat which caused the face to be darker than what I wanted. In order to remedy this I place a speed light with a see through scrim on the bottom facing her. Which way would’ve you lit it? It’s the first two images on my Instagram @rc1photography. Please check if you can, if not it’s fine 👍

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

lower you key light - and make it larger

@robertocordero4682

5 жыл бұрын

Daniel Norton Photographer Dam dude thanks, I’ll try that tonight! I transformed one of my bedrooms into a studio and I’ll have more space to that. Did you get to see the images in my account to see how they came out? @rc1photography

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Keep at it! - I saw, thus my recommendation

It would be useful to know how to match softbox size to light sources, e.g. for a single speed light size x to y for 3 speed lights or a 250ws light y to z, etc.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Like many things the answer is “it depends” that being said. Perhaps I can do a base exposure and show if different lights in different boxes and make that exposure.

Another helpful (very) video, thank you. You said to ask questions, I’m asking LOL.. What is the difference between using a translucent umbrella, a silver umbrella (bouncing the light) and a soft box for portraitures. It would be great if you could make a video using a mannequin (Marisa would be better) LOL. If you already have a video on the subject, please give me the link (or date of upload) and I’ll look for it. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Hmm. I think I have done a video on at least part of that lol. Might be worth another more specific one.

Super informative video thanks! I just ordered a 120cm octa with an s bracket to use with my speedlight. Do you think this will be too big for a speedlight?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

That depends on what f-stop you’re trying to get I guess 😊

Hi Daniel . Great video thanks for sharing. I love your work ‘ do follow your live sessions . I’m a beginner in studio portraits. I have started to setup Studio lights in my basement to practice & learn. I wanted to buy one good softbox to be my main key light .i currently have the Godox AD200 & Godox 860IIS.i also planned to buy the AD400 Pro later. Which one good softbox you recommend me for using as a main key light ? Also I need one key-light . Is there any Godox hair light or can I use my speed light for it? Pls advice . Thanks in advance .

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Typically 2x3 foot is a good place to start. Buy the best you can afford. Good softboxes can last a career.

First, I've appreciated your videos and tried to catch your live sessions (although I'm usually at work). Now to the question: Previously, I had been using speedlights in softboxes. However, I purchased a set of Bowens 500R studio strobes that I'll be using. Of course, I will not be able to use my current softboxes with these. I was contemplating purchasing some "inexpensive" boxes, but should I be concerned if they are heat-resistant from heat generated by the modeling lamps of the strobes or are all boxes for strobes required to be heat-resistant? Are there other things in which I need to be attentive in buying boxes for studio strobes?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Typically boxes are heat resistant enough to handle the modeling lights of a standard fixture. I don’t know what particular brand you are using so I wouldn’t be able to say 100%. But that is pretty much the standard. The ones for hot lights are designed to take much hotter fixtures and generally ones that are not fan cooled like the way strobes are.

Just getting into the whole photography thing because I want to take my content creation more seriously. What lights would you recommend for a fashion and lifestyle creator that would be good for both indoor and outdoor shoots?

@betterpixs

Жыл бұрын

I would love at clamshell lighting. Outdoors it could be as simple as just a reflector. Indoors is a bit more complex

Thank you, Daniel. I'm currently using speedlites for a source, I haven't yet purchased a Studio light. Can you give an idea of the size range for softbox use with speedlites, and the direction to go in for a Studio light? I know this is a couple years from the post date... Thanks if you catch this.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

I typically do not go over 2 foot for a speedlight, unless I really need to

Question for your next video. If you have a softbox with side panels that extend beyond the diffuser can you purchase and install an egg crate/grid even if there are no Velcro strips on the softbox? Can Velcro be installed after market?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

If one is made for it - some go on the outside - I suppose you could add Velcro- but you’d still have to find a grid that would fit.

Any suggestions for deep and parabolic softboxes? You would not need a grid, right?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

I’m a fan of Elinchrom deeps - a grid is still very useful

What’s your opinion on parabolic softboxes

Can u go into more detail about what softbox to get for a 1 light set up that you can use to shoot more than 1 person Daniel?! Say a family for example. Thanks very much for your help I've learned an awful lot from your videos. Keep up the great work

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

You are going to Want the biggest one you can afford - for a family something like a 5’ octagon

@tomcorbett5508

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer Thanks

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

another good option!

@tomcorbett5508

5 жыл бұрын

I'm only an Amature photographer guys so forgive Me .... I was looking for something you can bring on location ( events ) is there any other option than lugging around a 7 foot and a 1000 watt light to fill it ( I presume ) on a budget

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

2 smaller umbrella would be another option - if it were easy, everyone would do it :)

Thanks Daniel!!! Umbrellas would be good.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Especially when it rains!

@pattymattes7124

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer LOL

@WHITELIONNYC

5 жыл бұрын

💦🌂☂️

Why not use the flat led panels used for suspended cielings ? They are cheap and super luminous...

Hi Daniel! --- for food photography, do you recommend more like a round (parabolic) or octagon softbox ? ---or maybe a rectangular is better?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

Not sure if I would use the word better, but I tend to use rectangular boxes

Im doing an indoor house event in a few weeks. What is the best lighting option for subjects that are about 10-15ft away?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

That would depend what you want them to look like

I just purchase a use 24" x 16" large soft box! How close should the soft box be to the subject? I’ll be using it as a key light!

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

As close as possible without getting it in the shot

reflective and shoot thru umbrella maybe? the difference between silver and white reflective surface?hehe

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

☂ video seem eminent

is there a reason for getting a white soft box as opposed to a silver one, when using diffusers and baffles?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

The white one will still be less specular

Mr. Norton, What is the bracket on your 5’ Profoto octobox in your video? Where may I purchase one?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

It’s the Profoto speedlight bracket

Hi Daniel. I know it’s not your forte, but what type of soft box would you recommend for cat/pet portraits ?? I have a particular black cat I’d love to get a picture of him on a black background but don’t want him getting lost within it ... if that makes sense ??

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

A big one, backed up. You want to minimize falloff while keeping it soft

Are you familiar with the Elinchrom Rotagrids. It looks as though the external diffuser that is supplied with the 39" Deep Octabox will not allow me to install their Rotagrid. How are their stackable diffusers different from Elinchrom's standard external diffusers? And if I purchase the stackable version, will this allow me to attach the grid?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

I’m not sure about the stackable ones, but the grid fit on top of the 39 deep Octa that I tested

Hi Daniel. What I would like to know is if diferent brands like profoto, chimera and godox for example have diferent type of fabrics. Type is if the fabrics are of diferent materials.? Not if they will last more, or if they will be more colour consistent,,. Not the quality of the fabris but if the fabrics are diferent kind of material (for example: one is silk, other is nylon; that is my question. Not if is a better quality of the same material but if they are diferent materials)? Thanks.

@GNDavid73

2 жыл бұрын

I have walimex, godox and phottix softboxes. But in your videos it seams chimera softboxes fabric are diferent material that profoto. Am I wrong? (Where I live I don t have chimera in shops only online.)

Can you recommend a 2 x 3 soft box that’s an umbrella style for Profoto? These OCF soft boxes are horrible

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Umbrella style? Like a Westcott Apollo? - I typically use Chimera boxes - but they are not like umbrellas

Bottom line- what solution will give me a soft light that is also portable? And how close would I need to get to the subject? [if too close to see an effect- then it's limiting your composition to close ups...which is bad]

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed

I use a cheaper softbox that bounces the light off the backing instead of a dish. It is a Glow from Adorama. I use my Godox in it now. Is there a difference?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Off the backing? Like an umbrella? Please comment with a link

@sugashack74

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer Yeah Daniel. I have a Glow that I bought but it is not on the website anymore but here is similar www.adorama.com/ph82482.html They fold up nicely and slip into a carrying bag. There is no dish in it. What is the advantage of the dish? This is the link to the second one I own Neewer® 24'' X 36'/60cm X 90cm... www.amazon.com/dp/B00LHLAP6K?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

by bouncing back, it spread the light evenly across the front surface.. inner diffusion does a similar thing, but also adds more diffusion..

If softboxes are for control and softening, Why not just get long rectangular softboxes for control e.g. hairlight and giant umbrellas for fill? Some umbrellas e.g. Buff has an 86" umbrella for $40 which I would assume would make a much softer light than the 69" octa you suggested that is much more.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Because sometimes you want control over all you lights - umbrellas have their place as well of course.

@jpdj2715

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer Daniel, when you reference "control" I guess you leave two things implicit: your white studio space and the desire to control the darkness of shadows in your subject. Where "softness" has to be interpreted as soft gradual edges between light and dark, not as absence of shadow.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Right, in the context of this conversion

Umbrella brolly softboxes thoughts?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

They are nice, but tend to be more fragile than “regular” soft boxes

What about umbrellas and strip boxes? I do own them.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

4 жыл бұрын

Also great tools

which softbox is easier to open and close out on location?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

I prefer Chimera as a brand, but most boxes are fairly easy to set up.

@WHITELIONNYC

5 жыл бұрын

SMDV 🌂☂️🌂⛱ after the initial setup it's incredibly easy to open and close.

Super quick question - I want to purchase a couple Chimera softboxes, but I use Flashpoint Studio Strobes (Bowens mounts). Do you know what adapter I would need to make this work?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

You would get the chimera speedring for Bowen’s mount. Looks like it’s this one - www.adorama.com/cmsrbwv.html

@PC-Addicts

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much man! So much appreciated! I watch a TON of photography YT videos, and yours are by far my favorite. Especially just you and Seth sitting around shootin' the shit and answer questions! Thanks for all the time you put into these!

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@PC-Addicts

5 жыл бұрын

Ordered the 4x3 Chimera Super Pro Plus Shallow, Speedring, and more... thank you so much man. Oh dang, I should probably switch from my tech channel, to my photography channel, when talking to ya here - clicksbychris.com - dog action sports photography :)

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Cool! Let me know how you like it! Yes, I do the "wrong account" thing all the time as well lol

Hi. For full body shots, is a 38 inch softbox ok, or do you recommend a bigger softbox?

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

Typically I like myself boxes to be roughly the size of the area that I plan on covering. So for full length I tend to go more of a 5 foot but 38 inches can certainly work

@michaelmartinez6899

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Hi Daniel, I just want to know what size of softbox is ideal for group portrait of 4-8 people? I intend to put two softboxes on both side of the group and I shall use speedlights.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

Use umbrellas for that 36 inch

Portable softboxes and beauty dishes .....

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

portable as in for small flash? Or portable as in "easy open" style?

@jennygw1883

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographer for on location headshots. I'm thinking octa or beauty dish with diffuser. Something that's really quick to put up.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

gotcha - I'll see if I can borrow a few, My current favorite would be the Westcott Rapidbox (switch) but other companies shall we say "have ben inspired" and make similar ones :)

@jennygw1883

5 жыл бұрын

@@DanielNortonPhotographersounds awesome. unsure about Westcott. Had an umbrella from them that just fell to pieces in months.

@DanielNortonPhotographer

5 жыл бұрын

I hope you sent it back to get another.. they back all their gear.

Hey guys...hey guys...hey guys....can we be more original...hey guys

@DanielNortonPhotographer

3 жыл бұрын

🤷🏻‍♂️