Jenn Photo - How To Use The Photek Softlighter

[Silver26J]

Thanks for creating this video! Very helpful when deciding if I needed to just get the umbrella or I needed the umbrella with the speedlite kit that B&H sell. Turns out I can just get the umbrella as I already have what I need to use my speedlite or Elinchrom head with the softlighter. :)

[jennphotoBC]

I just used Alienbees which aren't the smallest monolights around. Earlier in January, I had the pleasure to work with Elinchrom's strobes which were great and compact. But I guess if you had the budget, you could invest in the same setup as Annie Leibovitz in her videos, Softlighters and Profoto heads. Thanks for the comment!

[Antnelson13]

Thanks Jenn! What kind of small strobe do you recommend? I just have a speedlight -

[jennphotoBC]

@Antnelson13 Any speed light will work, I use Vivitar 285's and I have used Nikon SB900's with the soft lighter. You need to have an umbrella cold shoe adapter and a way to trigger the flash!

[liukaitc1988]

but is that too close the flash head to the unbrella??

I learned that close the light will not spread out evenly

[jennphotoBC]

@liukaitc1988 You are right... The softlighter is built to work best when the diffuser is flat. The stronger the light source you are using the further back in the sock the light can sit. When using a speed light, the light should be set at the widest setting to utilize the amount of silver that gets illuminated.

[mandermcbutterpants]

Thank you Jenn-- this was helpful! I didn't know if I needed to use a special adapter for a speedlight or not :)

[jitu757]

That was actually a really good tip. I have the same light and softlighter and I have the hardest time getting the diffuser on because the way alienbees lights are designed. This will save me a lot of setup time from now on. Thank you!

[kndynt2099]

Awesome video on the Softlighter!

[ellement2002]

I just bought a 60 softliter II.. :) thank you for the video ... Very informative. Do you know if the 60 requires two strobes inside to get a nice light spread?

[jennphotoBC]

@ellement2002 Putting two speed lights inside the 60" is a very good idea,I only get f/5.6 when I use 1 vivitar 285. Try it out and see what works for you! It may depend on the quality of light need in a given situation, so it is always best to experiment and get to know your gear! Good luck, happy shooting.

[bluesmap]

this was a good video. thank you. what size is the modifier

[jennphotoBC]

@bluesmap It was the medium Softlighter - 46". Thanks