Getting the right studio lighting involves using the right type of studio equipment. Capturing professional quality portraits requires the use of specific lighting techniques and equipment, but sometimes purchasing all of this equipment and lighting assistance doesn't make sense, especially when you are working in a small home studio.
For early photographers interested in getting a professional edge in their home studio, one of the most commonly asked questions is what is the difference between a soft box and an umbrella for controlling lighting effects in the studio? We will look into how you use both and which method can be most effective for achieving professional quality lighting effects.
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An umbrella and a softbox can both be beneficial for your home studio but ultimately it's about the type of lighting that you want to cultivate. A shoot-through umbrella can help you get soft lighting, whereas a reflective umbrella can bring you a greater degree of control over the lighting in your studio. Softboxes achieve both of these results if you are able to master how to use them appropriately. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both methods:
Using a soft box
Controlling the light in your home studio using one softbox can be pretty easy, but there are a few things you should keep in mind:
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- Try changing the direction of your lighting by moving the soft box around your subject to find the best lighting angles.
- Once you've decided on an aperture, set it and keep it there for every shot while moving the soft box around.
- Keep taking test shots to make sure you have the right lighting effect as you move the soft box.
- If you're noticing harsh lighting or strong contrast on your subject, you can quickly fix it by moving the soft box almost directly in front of a subject.
- Same goes the other way – if the lighting on your subject is too flat, move the soft box at more of an angle.
- Try changing the direction of your lighting by moving the soft box around your subject to find the best lighting angles.
It's much easier to create a flat lit image by placing the soft box somewhere in the middle of your studio. It's also very quick to adjust shadows if you are interested in positioning a soft box a little bit differently to add a small amount of shadow for depth.
Shoot-through Umbrellas
A translucent shoot-through umbrella is an extremely versatile tool that you can use in your studio because it can work at creating a darker scene or adding extra light and cheer to your shots.
Most professional photographers prefer translucent umbrellas over reflective umbrellas because it's much easier to close in on your subject or back off to get two completely different looks and moods. Adding shadow is very easy as you simply need to move the umbrella closer to your subject.
An umbrella can offer a supreme advantage when it comes to macro photography. Forcing light onto a macro subject from different angles can give you a whole host of lighting effects and can help you to wrap light around certain defining features of the subject. You can get soft and pleasing lighting for macro photography with a shoot-through umbrella and this can really boost the quality of your studio shots.
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Ultimately the decision between using a softbox and an umbrella is up to your photography style preferences. Both of these tools can deliver professional quality results for any studio so don't be afraid to try each tool before you commit to it.