Got a soft box! First portrait!

Got a soft box! First portrait! · 01:49 AM

I picked up a lighting kit today from a local photographer. It's a Photoflex Starlite Medium softbox kit. I feel I got a very nice deal.

Yes, the light output is much less than most strobes, but it replicates the way I work with natural light so easily. It's a moving window! I just set the white balance to tungsten and I think the results are snazzy!

Here's a couple from my first 15 minutes... taken with the K10D and DA* 50-135mm 2.8.

The set up... taken with the 31mm 1.8 Limited with the on-board flash dialed down.

Mechan1k · 01-24-2008, 03:24 AM

I have been thinking about getting a lighting setup myself recently.

Sounds like it is working nicely (as seen in your images) ... and you have a nice willing subject as well

hamidlmt · 01-24-2008, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by Mechan1k

I have been thinking about getting a lighting setup myself recently.

Sounds like it is working nicely (as seen in your images) ... and you have a nice willing subject as well

It's always bugged me that it's difficult to shoot in the winter and we lose light so quickly during the day. Now, I won't have that problem and I still feel I can be creative. I'll probably pick up one more light fairly soon.

Chaya is always willing. I just wave around a toy and tell her to stay.

Peter Zack · 01-24-2008, 08:31 AM

Congrats on the new "toy" err gear!! Great images and looks like you have a winning setup. Luck the "model" is cheap and so willing!!

So how portable is the unit?

hamidlmt · 01-24-2008, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Congrats on the new "toy" err gear!! Great images and looks like you have a winning setup. Luck the "model" is cheap and so willing!!

So how portable is the unit?

Thanks!

It's very portable. The soft box folds down and fits in a little bag, the stand folds up. Then, there's the extra pieces... the light unit, the bulb (fits in a robust tube), the speed ring and power cord... I need to find some kind of box or bag for these. The extra bits are not bulky and the entire setup is quite light, even when considering the sturdy stand.

It also came with some inner louvers in it's own bag that I don't think I'll use much.

The first time I set everything up, it took me less than 5 minutes. Break down should be equally as quick.

I could easily transport a dozen or more of these in the trunk of my Mustang, if needed. Today or tomorrow, I'll get some better pics of the setup, both up and torn down.

leadbelly · 01-24-2008, 07:06 PM

Is this the same as this? Soft Star Light
Much cheaper, and I'm hoping, it will produce the same results.

I'm thinking of getting one for myself as well. Love the "moving window" effect.

hamidlmt · 01-24-2008, 08:07 PM

Originally posted by leadbelly

Is this the same as this? Soft Star Light
Much cheaper, and I'm hoping, it will produce the same results.

I'm thinking of getting one for myself as well. Love the "moving window" effect.

I hadn't seen this particular cool light yet. There's a few interesting systems using compact flourescent bulbs.

I have this kit from Photoflex. It uses a halogen bulb. I can also get an adapter so I can use a compact flourescent bulb. Even though it's much more warm, I really enjoy the light from the Photoflex.

Starlite Medium Digital Kit 1

Tom M · 01-24-2008, 09:29 PM

sharp! look good!

roentarre · 01-24-2008, 10:19 PM

Congradulation on the new fun lighting equipment, My softbox cannot produce the results like yours... Sigh...

The last dog shot is quite moody. I like it the best

Mike Cash · 01-25-2008, 04:45 AM

Very nice photos, and I'm jealous.

I'll pass along a little tip I once read regarding the use of softboxes with subjects where the light is reflected in the subject (as in the dog's eyes). You can use black gaffer's tape to make a vertical and a horizontal stripe across the face of the softbox, which will make the reflection look like the light came from a window instead of from studio lighting equipment.

roentarre · 01-25-2008, 05:04 AM

Like snoot?

hamidlmt · 01-25-2008, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by Tom M

sharp! look good!

Thanks!

Originally posted by roentarre

Congradulation on the new fun lighting equipment, My softbox cannot produce the results like yours... Sigh...

The last dog shot is quite moody. I like it the best

Aren't softboxes pretty much the same? I just pointed it towards the dog and snapped away.

That last one was a funny shot... couldn't find the angle I wanted with the 31 Limited, so I just sat back on the couch and went... hmm... that could make a picture! LOL!

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Very nice photos, and I'm jealous.

I'll pass along a little tip I once read regarding the use of softboxes with subjects where the light is reflected in the subject (as in the dog's eyes). You can use black gaffer's tape to make a vertical and a horizontal stripe across the face of the softbox, which will make the reflection look like the light came from a window instead of from studio lighting equipment.

Oh... so the gaffer's tape will make it look like an older window? I get it... I might have to try that sometime when I find some gaffer tape.

hamidlmt · 01-25-2008, 08:57 AM

A softbox and a sleepy doggie... going for that morning light through a window effect... taken with the FA 50mm 1.4.

GLThorne · 01-25-2008, 01:49 PM

Great shots. I really like #1 & #2.

hamidlmt · 01-25-2008, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by GLThorne

Great shots. I really like #1 & #2.

Thanks Greg!

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01-25-2008, 08:57 AM	#13
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Snagged another shot last night A softbox and a sleepy doggie... going for that morning light through a window effect... taken with the FA 50mm 1.4.

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01-24-2008, 03:24 AM	#2
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I have been thinking about getting a lighting setup myself recently. Sounds like it is working nicely (as seen in your images) ... and you have a nice willing subject as well

01-24-2008, 08:27 AM	#3
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mechan1k I have been thinking about getting a lighting setup myself recently. Sounds like it is working nicely (as seen in your images) ... and you have a nice willing subject as well It's always bugged me that it's difficult to shoot in the winter and we lose light so quickly during the day. Now, I won't have that problem and I still feel I can be creative. I'll probably pick up one more light fairly soon. Chaya is always willing. I just wave around a toy and tell her to stay.

01-24-2008, 08:31 AM	#4
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Congrats on the new "toy" err gear!! Great images and looks like you have a winning setup. Luck the "model" is cheap and so willing!! So how portable is the unit?

01-24-2008, 08:40 AM	#5
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack Congrats on the new "toy" err gear!! Great images and looks like you have a winning setup. Luck the "model" is cheap and so willing!! So how portable is the unit? Thanks! It's very portable. The soft box folds down and fits in a little bag, the stand folds up. Then, there's the extra pieces... the light unit, the bulb (fits in a robust tube), the speed ring and power cord... I need to find some kind of box or bag for these. The extra bits are not bulky and the entire setup is quite light, even when considering the sturdy stand. It also came with some inner louvers in it's own bag that I don't think I'll use much. The first time I set everything up, it took me less than 5 minutes. Break down should be equally as quick. I could easily transport a dozen or more of these in the trunk of my Mustang, if needed. Today or tomorrow, I'll get some better pics of the setup, both up and torn down.

01-24-2008, 07:06 PM	#6
leadbelly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 597	Is this the same as this? Soft Star Light Much cheaper, and I'm hoping, it will produce the same results. I'm thinking of getting one for myself as well. Love the "moving window" effect.

01-24-2008, 08:07 PM	#7
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by leadbelly Is this the same as this? Soft Star Light Much cheaper, and I'm hoping, it will produce the same results. I'm thinking of getting one for myself as well. Love the "moving window" effect. I hadn't seen this particular cool light yet. There's a few interesting systems using compact flourescent bulbs. I have this kit from Photoflex. It uses a halogen bulb. I can also get an adapter so I can use a compact flourescent bulb. Even though it's much more warm, I really enjoy the light from the Photoflex. Starlite Medium Digital Kit 1

01-24-2008, 09:29 PM	#8
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	sharp! look good!

01-24-2008, 10:19 PM	#9
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Congradulation on the new fun lighting equipment, My softbox cannot produce the results like yours... Sigh... The last dog shot is quite moody. I like it the best

01-25-2008, 04:45 AM	#10
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Very nice photos, and I'm jealous. I'll pass along a little tip I once read regarding the use of softboxes with subjects where the light is reflected in the subject (as in the dog's eyes). You can use black gaffer's tape to make a vertical and a horizontal stripe across the face of the softbox, which will make the reflection look like the light came from a window instead of from studio lighting equipment.

01-25-2008, 05:04 AM	#11
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Like snoot?

01-25-2008, 08:49 AM	#12
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tom M sharp! look good! Thanks! Originally posted by roentarre Congradulation on the new fun lighting equipment, My softbox cannot produce the results like yours... Sigh... The last dog shot is quite moody. I like it the best Aren't softboxes pretty much the same? I just pointed it towards the dog and snapped away. That last one was a funny shot... couldn't find the angle I wanted with the 31 Limited, so I just sat back on the couch and went... hmm... that could make a picture! LOL! Originally posted by Mike Cash Very nice photos, and I'm jealous. I'll pass along a little tip I once read regarding the use of softboxes with subjects where the light is reflected in the subject (as in the dog's eyes). You can use black gaffer's tape to make a vertical and a horizontal stripe across the face of the softbox, which will make the reflection look like the light came from a window instead of from studio lighting equipment. Oh... so the gaffer's tape will make it look like an older window? I get it... I might have to try that sometime when I find some gaffer tape.

01-25-2008, 01:49 PM	#14
GLThorne Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA - South Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 372	Great shots. I really like #1 & #2.

01-25-2008, 07:00 PM	#15
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by GLThorne Great shots. I really like #1 & #2. Thanks Greg!