What is a Softbox Used For in Photography & Lighting Tips

What is a softbox?

What are softbox lights?

Softboxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but are all designed in the same way. Their design is entirely responsible for reducing the quality of light that photographers love. To better understand their design, let’s take a look at the definition.

Different types of softboxes                       

Types of softboxes

It can be easy to get overwhelmed when deciding which soft box to buy since there is quite a variety to choose from. Softboxes ultimately differ in two characteristics: size and shape. First, let’s take a look at the varying sizes.

Softbox sizes

Softboxes are available in all types of sizes but they can generally be categorized into small, medium, or large sizes.

One might assume that a large one has a larger light spread than a small one. Surprisingly, all three sizes cover the same amount of area in light assuming that the light sources are the same distance from your subject.

The difference between the varying sizes of softboxes can actually be seen in the quality of light. Larger units produce softer light and undefined shadows. Smaller units produce harsher light and sharper shadows. For a visual demonstration of this, check out the video below comparing all three sizes.

Besides the quality of light, you might want to take into consideration where you will be doing most of your shooting. If you do a lot of on location shooting, you might want to opt for a smaller, more portable light.

Shape

In addition to size, softboxes are available in a variety of shapes. There are rectangular, square, strip, and octagonal-shaped models.

What is a softbox shape used for? Different shapes cover different areas and have different falloffs. Choosing the shape of your light will depend greatly on what you are shooting.

Rectangular are great for vertical portraits and compositions because of their vertical length. They can also be rotated for wider, horizontal compositions.

Square are common in close-up, portrait photography. They are also ideal for smaller studios with limited headspace. A downside to square-shaped lights is that they have some fall-off when composing vertical shots.

Octagonal are ideal for fashion and portrait photography as they have a natural wrap around effect. The reflection of an octagonal light in a subject’s eyes is circular which also appears more natural. Here is a field test of the octagonal light to get a better idea of how it can be used.

Strip softboxes have a longer dimension and are ideal for edge or rim lighting. They are great when you need to add a bit of separation to your image to keep it from falling flat.

Softbox light vs umbrella                            

Softbox vs umbrella

A common question beginner photographers have is “What is the difference between a softbox and other light sources with soft lighting?” Let’s start by taking a look at the softbox vs umbrella.

Umbrellas produce a soft, indirect light that is bounced. It is often considered more forgiving, but less versatile. Softboxes have more directionality and control than an umbrella. Check out the video below to see a visual comparison between softboxes and umbrella lights modifiers.

While both the softbox and umbrella produce a wide spread, soft light, they differ in directionality and how forgiving they are. If you are a straight up beginner photographer, umbrellas are cheaper and more forgiving. However, if you have a bit of lighting experience under your belt and need something with remote control, you may opt for the softbox.

Softbox light vs umbrella                            

Ring light vs softbox

Other than an umbrella modifier, softboxes are often compared to types of light sources such as the ring light. The difference in ring light vs softbox is the quality of light that they produce.

Softboxes, like we mentioned, create large, soft light that can still create shadows with a more even transition into highlights.

A ring light on the other hand, creates truly even lighting where the ratio of light on both sides of your subject is equal.

One benefit of the ring light is that it can also create cool, circular catchlights that are reflected in your subjects eyes. If you’re looking for a more dynamic lighting style that still produces shadows and some contrast, you might want to lean toward using softboxes. If you want a completely even lighting setup, the ring light is your best bet.

Softbox light vs umbrella                            

Softbox vs led panel

Last on our list of comparisons is the softbox vs LED panel. LED light panels have become incredibly popular for their versatility and ease of use. They differ from softboxes, however, in the quality of light they produce. Softboxes are designed to diffuse light through a modifier. LED’s however are a type of light source that produces a light that can be widespread, but not diffused.

To further diffuse an LED light panel, you will need a light modifier anyway. Check out this side by side comparison of softboxes and LED lights to get a better visual of this concept.

LED panels are a great light to buy. But comparing them to softboxes is a bit difficult since you are essentially comparing a light source vs a light modifier. The question you should ask is what type of quality of light do I want to use and make your decision based on the answer.