Portrait lighting using an Umbrella vs a Softbox

[svtcontour]

Nice explanation. I thought they were nearly the same thing but now I see they can be different.

[jetblack919]

thankk jean... post more...

[rmstudio]

I been doing this for a living for 18 years not a weekend warrior. Most of what this guy says is very true. More important next is for him to explain "How to use a softbox" correctly as so many idiot Strobist fanboy morons use pocket flashes in a softbox when softboxes are designed to work properly only when you use a "Bare tube flash" not a directional tiny toy pocket flash.

[JTuckerPhoto]

@rmstudio I guess Joe McNally, Syl Arena, David Hobby, and other veteran professional photographers have been doing it wrong all these years with small flashes. ;-)

[rmstudio]

@JTuckerPhoto If you actually had been around long enough like me or like McNally you would not be so clueless that u dont even realize that all three of your fanboy idiots you idolize r making their actual photographic living at "Selling Products" to u & Doing Product Endorsements for flash Co. Also if you been around long enough like me you would also know McNally used Big Studio flashes most of the time in his career. So because Justin Timberlake Sells Music CD's he is a great Singer? LMAOF

[rmstudio]

@JTuckerPhoto 2nd Part Nothing against Joe McNally he seems to be a really nice guy but you idiots out there dont realize all the big wizbang wow factor is all because those guys are sponsored by Canon & Nikon and other Companies who are making a mint off you guys by having those guys promote there products. 400 dollars for a limited battery flash. There are suckers born every minute. Do you think the guys shooting Vogue fashion covers r using pocket flashes? LMAOF.

[Majet]

"...when I do my lectures AROUND THE WORLD!" ... Never seen you here :-)

[Eli666Ms]

mmmmm....so for an old lady a soft box would me more apropriate?

[SONNRYSE1]

The information is great but the background music is distracting/terrible.

[PetrePopescu21]

3:57 Me gusta face.

[fasCINEtion]

Nice tutorial with the perfect teacher's tempo to be properly understood - Well done...Is it possible to contact the model? I adore her !!!!

[picturemepurple94]

This is great! Thank you!

[vincent0408]

Nice explanation, thank you very much!

[QuantumEra]

LMFAO when he said "Grey Zone" his hands framed his beard xD

[TheJmaster06]

Choose properly my friend.

[thedamon]

Thank you. Very useful side by side comparisons.

[SuperMangn]

Get two 1000w softbox or there may not be enough light with one.

[Samson4G]

hello...whats the MUSIC that you have in your video, please let me know..thanx God bless.

[TheNarxy]

Yes, he speaks too slow and clear, so THANK YOU. Because I'm spanish, and I think I've couldn't understood it if you had spoke faster. Great tutorial!

[gtg059x]

You speak way too fast.

[nitinsarvaiya]

my life is fashion photography

[UNDERLANDSOUNDS]

8 hour lectures...

[falevian]

What about using the umbrella in the other way? In the other case the light will be more diffused, but I´m not sure if is similar to the Softbox.

[The732Productions]

thats why u use 2 soft boxes

[brickflowtube]

all you should have done is present two identical photos, lit with softbox and umbrella, and this is the only thing missing from the video. also, you are not even addressing the through-the-umbrella method. what a waste of 5 minutes.

[santanhu007]

Thanks, very useful for me.

[nicpham]

Great video! That was simple to understand and very helpful

[galaxiedance]

Shoot through the Umbrella... wouldn't that be the same as the soft box? no focused light there!

[White010Horse]

with the music its like that u r going to a war

[RadiantAmar]

Thank you.

[memoriasdeangelo]

So? An umbrella or a softbox?

[mj6693]

Grey zone and shadows are not the same!!!!

Google it!

[MEGASMILA]

You have given me a lot of education in a short time...thank you

[petenicezz]

thank for sharing this video, i would like to know what a good light power to use with this softbox and where can i get it. thanks

[nisornt]

don't believe the french. it takes too long for him to speak. just kidding.

[SabarStudios]

Beautiful Photography!

youtube

/watch?v=-YTfGeR0wYQ

[beeman2075]

This was a great clip to watch - excellent tutorial.

[MarkVika]

Umbrella or Softbox?which one is better???thumbs up if umbrella and thums down if Softbox...Please,,, Thanks!!!

[mephotographyinc]

I've been using a combination of both with great results. Soft box as main light 45 degrees to right of subject and an umbrella on left at 90 degrees or more from subject. Using higher power on softbox and about half that power on the umbrella!

[paperxoheart]

this guy actually knows what hes talking about, one of the simplest but best tutorial on here

[jasemali1987]

gray zone = FOOUUUAAA

[mcdesignarts]

chiaroscuro = fancy name for " grey-zone " and shadows

[JasonNepster]

@mcdesignarts chiaroscuro is the contrast between lit and dark areas...

[petenicezz]

can i use the softbox on a subject while on a greenscreen

[binhetranfilms]

I swear you are the fastest speaker in the world.

[AntiIgnorantDimwit]

@binhetranfilms Imagine his lectures... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[ernixy]

scary.

[d1353lp0w3r]

this guy is really patronising, or maybe its cause hes talking in super slow mo

[webplc]

@d1353lp0w3r He's french, weighing each word carefully before speaking a language foreign to him (in this case, english).

[lopsideful]

0:13 eye pop. just sayin.

[MrJuankellar]

gray zone

[MrJuankellar]

gray zone  okay

[camcordertv]

Thanks !!

[ramraker]

@2:48...he was explaining the umbrella providing a more focused light quality...then @ 4:48 he was telling the umbrella light giving a sharper but wider beam of light. never believe this guy....he's a hack. he got no clue of what he is talking about in this subject. maybe he knows what to do in his studio work, but for him to give lectures like this is totally useless.

[knightg82]

very informative

[koocox]

would a shoot through umbrella be more or less the same with a softbox?

[aekagsr]

@koocox My understanding is you won't have much control of where the light goes on a shoot through.  If you want more control over your background use a softbox.

[Freehalllito]

Thank You! Finally I found a very professional explanation on this matter. I did not know what to buy and after watching it, I just decide, what I want, Thanks to your video.

[bobpai2006]

thanks, for the info.

[wagonburner5000]

@florinmldvn82ro cool, want a cookie?

[florinmldvn82ro]

@wagonburner5000 the video is actually very helpful and explanatory

[xUNMERITEDx]

@florinmldvn82ro

Thats not how he means it, he means the transition between light an shadow.

[YouLaToya]

@florinmldvn82ro Um no,"Grey Zone" is not a "fancy name for shadows" is another way of saying "line of transition"... 

[graphicanjelo]

@florinmldvn82ro : you are a dumb ass! you didn't understand properly! you are people who thinks himself better than others and bullying people! But i am sure you don't know yourself how dumb you are moron!

[florinmldvn82ro]

@graphicanjelo Are you retard? How did I bully you?!?

[MultigrainPie]

@florinmldvn82ro no it's not. i don't think you understand this

[florinmldvn82ro]

@MultigrainPie Maybe. But I would love to. Could you clarify for me the difference between shadows and grey zone?

[florinmldvn82ro]

@MultigrainPie Maybe. But I would love to. Could you clarify for me the difference between shadows and grey zone?

[valleyboy314]

@florinmldvn82ro : Grey Zone = EDGE of shadow- very different.

[JAFrk]

@florinmldvn82ro it is for you because you dont understand the difference and is probably a pompous dumbass

[theempire00]

@florinmldvn82ro lol

[vasionok]

@florinmldvn82ro no, it is rather transition from highlights into shadows. Slower transition = wider gray zone = softer light.

[setalaka]

thanks a lot :)

[gmoduk93]

The choice is yours... sounds like a saw trap :|

[johnnyLikeVideo]

I wish I could see the difference. They both look pretty close to me, even though I understood his explanation.

[BloatedSensations]

@johnnyLikeVideo The effect would be much more noticeable if you were actually standing in the room with them, or were able to view the original video on DVD. A big part of the problem is that Youtube compresses uploaded videos to make them smaller in size so they'll load more quickly, and as a part of this compression it squashes the dynamic range of the video - so, subtleties in light and shadow detail are lost somewhat.

[alan2102006]

2:13 to 2:19 Dust on the cmos.

[TheEpicfail305]

A dude?

[shah225]

That female model... Betty Boop?

[FallenKain]

Oh my god dude, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but PLEASE speed it up a little!

[neipas13]

Very good demonstration & explanation to describe the differences between the tools and the effects!

[basilleonardo]

@valentinwb you should try getting an attention span, you'll find it really handy

[sirnubenegra]

You rock

[mrrrxxxxx]

Hi, I light continuous lighting much more than flash, and wanted to ask how many watts would I need of continuous light to allow me shoot single portraits at around 5.6 and ISO 200? Let's assume I will a single large softbox and a reflector to compensate for the shadows. Thank you

[rustycage55]

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[franbeec]

You helped me, thanky you

[pannysat]

Thanks for the info, but how about a beauty dish?

[MakeupbySandie]

I have begun making makeup tutorials. Can you tell me which you recommend for this type of filming? Excellent video, thank you!

[Brenniman65]

Excellent tutorial Mr. O'Kane thanks for the great tips once again! C'est merveilleux!

[MrOverdriver]

great tutorial...beautiful girl!

[blackberry5591]

I have a question. Clearly you know what your talking about, excellent job on the video! Ok question.. IF I want to go into wedding photography, as a mobile shoot set-up, what would you recommend? Soft box or Umbrella? Thank you...

[Tortuga699]

@blackberry5591 The softbox will give softer result but the umbrella can also be use to block or diffuse light from the sun, this can be very useful from time to time (espacialy if you have to shoot on a location in broad day light) and they are way cheaper than softbox. Id say get both but then again im not a pro but what pro stand for in these day...

[atento611]

@blackberry5591 the umbrella will always be better for mobile works, small, portable and the most important: it's just one piece, with the softbox you have to set it up each time

[almaalmaalma96]

Thanks!



[almaalmaalma96]

Thanks!

[CasualLuxuries]

Which one is better for making videos? Youtube videos to be exact.

Thank you.

[recurrence1]

thank you very much  very clear

[harekrishnadick]

Thanks!! So inspiring!!

[joshuad2d]

What about shoot through umbrella? I think if your going to compare umbrella to a softboxyou should at least Because with your video you are comparing direct diffused light versus reflective light...Correct me I am wrong I have only have my off camera flash for 6 months I not a pro

[TheYellowFlashLight]

Excellent Video. I subscribed right away.

[limeywatermelon]

would the umbrella be the same as the softbox if you were shooting through it and not reflecting off of it?

[a6km]

@limeywatermelon I don't think so but I would think that it depends how far from the flash the umbrella is? I would love to see a video with a light meter measuring the light coming out from both of them to see the how bigger difference there is.

[slider1622]

Great explanation. Thank you!

[betseyboop]

This is amazing! Thank you for the wonderful gift of your instructions!

[leviphillip]

ah! thank you so much for this!

[520menace]

would a shoot thru umbrella have the same effect as the soft box?

[pasapasi]

I love how you go easy into every step talk like you know what you are doing and making us understand this :D

[simpsonsoft]

OMG! It`s amazing! Great video @TheStudioCoach, the explanation is simply and clearly, it`s help me a lot, thanks! :)

[weezo26]

Yes he gives a good explanation about his gray zone, but when using an umbrella you dont just point it at your subject, you angle it. Yes the softbox does have a wider beam, but an umbrella can achieve the same light when you angle it.

[wojgas]

Here you are compering diffusion to reflection. If you compare the softbox to diffusion umbrella the results will be almost the same.

[bycostello]

seems simple one you know... thanks...



[kcramzie]

very nice video and i really learned from it. i hope he will be my prof. in my video production subject

[hpept]

Very good. Thank you!

[thumdar]

Top notch video. If only all people would quickly get to the point like this gentleman does, Youtube would be a better place.

[barelyaverage]

very good explanation, however, I prefer softbox over umbrellas.

[sharagim1]

i never saw any video like this , with very clear explain, thanks a lot,

i hope other people who like to make video on youtube.or...... explain very clear.

[jusu313]

The "gray zone" he is talking about is not a concept, but rather part of the anatomy of light, the correct term is core shadow.

There is 4 (four) key elements to light:

1) highlight

2) mid-tone

3) core shadow

and

4) reflective light

[dimasadhiprasetyo]

love it :) ok get it sir :)

[farhaneee]

fuck talk faster i dont have the time

[siliconsurf]

@farhaneee you don't have 5 minutes to spare? what the fuck is wrong with you?

[vince1485]

thanks for sharing this video sir. two thumbs up!

[mungkey]

Very good information. Thanks.

[vjlord]

jus onething i wana ask sir ! I;ve made 2 softboxes, jus confused between which bulb shud i use, White or Yellow.. ? :)

[abmroque]

Very clear sir... Thanks so much.

[omightyyoda]

Very nice video, great explanation, thanks for sharing!

[QWILDER]

Thank You For Sharing

[pattagon]

very well explained, thanks

[davidVbarron]

Thank you for this...

[fademinem]

very very well explained. Thanks!

[edwardolive]

good job

[stephane1234567]

Super, j'ai tout compris.

Merci 1000 fois.

[beniluzern]

Very interesting - thank you!

[wetink70]

Does all this hold true if the umbrella is a diffusion umbrella, instead of a reflecting umbrella?

[interlude65]

Nicely explain, thank you sir!

[caravanuser]

Just watched this video and cant believe its that simply or is it because you explained it so well? Thanks for this.

[antropoloscar]

thanks.youre a nice Bear

[Ferchote2008]

Thank you, I subscribed ! 

[TheHivo]

Very clear video. Thank you. It's great !

[purpleproduce]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing with us. I have a question about softbox and umbrella.

How many watt does softbox and umbrella has ?

How many watts of strobe do you recommend to purchase when shoot portrait ?

Thank you !

[XECUTA2]

thank you for the video good informations. but that music is a bit annoying

[pascalkhattar]

thanks alot for the explanation...

[YUC0N]

that was a very good and clear explanation, thank you. I subscribed :-)

[DZdiode]

is your softbox with continious light or strobe light ?

[ahiemstra]

I'm sorry, but I think the difference is mainly because of the size of the umbrella. A larger Umbrella will give you an effect similar to the softbox?

[miavonni]

love this guy!! he could be talking about anything and id listen!!!

[gustavideo]

when you say grisome you mean gray zone?

[rubent100]

wut kinda light are these

[92whatever]

cool , thanx

[goclick]

Things get muddy with a shoot through though.

[buddodogg]

haha.. it sounded like ali g at the begining

[DZdiode]

very nice explanation mister ! thanks very mutch

[FunnyBoysFilms]

Concise and informative, everything a good tutorial should be. Brilliant video, just bought a basic two studio light set up, one with a softbox, one with a flashthrough umbrella. this has helped a lot. Thanks.

[chuda99]

Thank you so much for this video. I really wanted to "see" the difference between the soft box and the umbrella. Great and easy to understand explanation!

[ispaniola]

I think you should Rihanna with an umbrella

..ella

..ella

[ispaniola]

I would choose an umbrella.

Because, what If after a shoot you need to walk to your car and it's raining..

:P

[adverseashley]

I'm only fifteen, and I've been working with photography for a few years now, but just getting into all of the equipment. How do both of these lights work? Are all soft boxes and all umbrellas compatible with all cameras? I make minimum wage at a fast food restaurant, so I can only afford one for a while. Which should I get first? Thanks for helping. -Ashley

[blkjep3]

If money is an issue, I would go with a white shoot-thru umbrella for a first lighting mod. Also a lot easier to set up and transport. All softboxes and umbrellas can be made to adapt with almost any light source, whether it be a speedlight, strobe, etc.

[davis911228]

Go strobist on a budget.

[davis911228]

Go to B&H and order a photoflex convertible umbrella.(shoot through or black backed in one umbrella) Order a light stand, light weight is fine. You'll need a umbrella bracket with hotshoe adapter. Check out lumiquest promax softbox lll while your at B&H(optional, I have one for my strobes I use sometimes, not bad). OK, that's all at B&H. Now go to midwest photo exchange and order a Lumopro LP120 manual strobe. It works fine. Now all you need is the correct sync cable, probably be at midwest too.

[politiks707]

@adverseashley im pretty sure they're compatible with all cameras. just adjust for the right exposure with the shutter speed and aperture. like the guy said, the umbrella is cheaper so if your on a budget..

[AdamKDean]

If using continuous lighting then the lights are not attached to the camera, as long as you have the light equipment as well as the reflector/diffuser than it'l work :)

Good luck!

[freebyrd311]

hell yeah for young photographers....do you have a flickr account? And I agree with davis911228....strobist shit off ebay and craigslist is super cheap

[freshZorg001]

get a beauty dish !

[jp3553]

@adverseashley Get an umbrella. Much, MUCH cheaper. My first lighting setup consisted of: Canon Speedlight, Cactus v4 trigger system, and a couple stands and umbrellas. Works brilliantly.

[cpovey1]

@adverseashley If it were me, I would get the umbrella first. Generally a lot less expensive than a soft box, yet with similar light. Many/most white umbrellas allow you to reflect OR shoot-through the umbrella, while the silver ones are for reflecting light only. The downside of shooting through a white umbrella is that you lose a lot of light.

[neyzenilkay]

@adverseashley

The Studioflashlights are compactible to any camera when you use a wireless transmitter.

Many of the Flashes have an adapter wich you can use on nearly any Flashboxes.

Buy you for first one Flashlight. You can buy a umbrella and try out how it is doing his work for you. Umbrella is more cheaper than a Softbox.

If you own more money you can buy a Softbox.

If you don´t have enought money to buy 2 Strobes, so buy one and use reflectors.

Hope I can helped you.