For interior group shots, I’d use an umbrella with a studio type flash unit. A Speedlight in an Ezybox works well at close range but will struggle with a group.

Regards, Damien.

I have an ST-E2, do you think i’d have trouble triggering my flash with the softbox? Would I be better off using an umbrella or are they equally problematic?

Would you consider using a 1 light softbox for an indoors group shot?

Thank you in advance.

Helen.

Sorry for the delay in replying. The Ezybox comes in 3 sizes. They are all efficient light modifiers. Within 3m the effect of the softness is evident. An interior at night lit with just an Ezybox at 3m would look like it was lit by a small window giving clearly defined shadows with a beautiful penumbra region.

Outside in daylight, the range of a Speedlight in an Ezybox is limited by the power of the flash. I like to use mine in close proximity, say within 1m from my subject. I use them like fashion studio shooters use beauty dishes. Softboxes and silver umbrellas have a very different light quality and is best seen at pixel level. Skin lit with a softbox takes on a flat look and with a silver umbrella it has a sheen.

Silver umbrellas outside are great as long as there is no wind or they are supported properly. I use a magic arm and superclamp or a good stand weighted down with my camera bag.

Damien.

I’m thinking about the 38cm Lastolite Ezybox. I wonder in your opinion, how close you need it to be to benefit from the soft light on your subject. I guess after a certain distance you might as well use a bare faced Speedlite? For example – at a distance that would light a full body, is it still noticable soft light or more like a silver umbrella?

Thanks!

What are your thoughts on using a silver umbrella outdoors too – is this just like a bare speedlite but bigger

Damien.

How did you fit the PW Flex onto your Ezybox? The bracket with my Ezybox does not fit the Flex. A picture would be very interesting if you have time?

Contrary to popular belief, the diffusion dome doesn’t soften the light from your Speedlight it merely sends it in all directions. The shadows the flash creates are still just as sharp and clearly defined as those created by the bare flash itself. However, because of the effect of flash coming off other surfaces this tends to ‘lift’ and reduce the contrast of the shadows. Outside though this rarely has any effect at all and the diffusing dome merely cuts the light output for which the power of the flash has to compensate.

A softbox is a soft light source because of it’s relative size. Unlike the diffused Speedlight it creates diffused shadows from near light subjects. The light is directional too meaning it leaves shadows deep and punchy.

For soft light and shadow fill I use a shoot through umbrella. The light from the umbrella goes in all directions yet the source is still soft. Perfect for one light interior groups at a wedding.

I hope this helps,

Damien.

That does make sense, I have all Nikon gear and find the diffusion dome that comes with the SB900 does a good job of giving soft light, no comparison to a softbox but does a good job and won’t get blew away in the wind…lol.

Thanks for your kind words. It’s important to know that I shoot static subjects from a static camera. Some shooters who take reportage pictures might find this lens hard to use because of the lack of AF. I love it and the results please me.

I’ve started to use softboxes because I can. With infra red triggering they were a pain and so were brollies. Now though I can shoot on location like I shot in the studio and it’s magic. These new Pocket Wizard units have liberated my lighting. Softboxes this size are like beauty dishes, they need to be used in close proximity, just out of shot. The skin tones and soft directional shadows they create are sublime. Hard barefaced Speedlights get 90% of the way there but why not go the whole hog now that we can?

I know for sure, that in the summer on the beach I’ll need to use my Broncolor kit just for the power advantage but my PW mini will trigger that too. There’s no going back to infra red now.

Regards,

Damien.

Why have you now started to use soft boxes for your off camera flash shoots, can you maybe explain the pros and cons to using one of these over the bare flash?

Paul

Hi Andy, I have the smaller one when there is a bit of wind and the larger one when it’s not windy.

Thanks for your kind words, Damien.

Great shots Damien. It’s obvious just from looking at them how the lens has inspired you with the framing and composition. Very impressed.

What drives your choice of which size Ezybox to use? Is it dictated by physical space in which to setup or is there a particular difference to the light you are looking for?

Thanks for the great shots and information.