Different Illumination Techniques and When to Use Them

Umbrellas and softboxes are two commonly used light modifiers that are used to produce diffused and soft artificial light. Softboxes provide direct and controlled lighting, which is similar to sunlight coming in through a window. On the other hand, umbrellas produce broader, diffused lighting like outdoor light, which is uncontained and uncontrolled.

Are you still confused between both two? Let’s dive deep into the comparison between Softbox vs. umbrella.

Softbox

A softbox imitates the directional, soft lighting, which is usually generated by window light. It diffuses and softens the lighting from the attached source of light by transmitting it through the diffusion panel. It is available in different shapes such as rectangular, square, or octagonal shapes and sizes like large ones that produce very soft, directional light when placed closer to the subject.

With this lighting, as you are shooting through instead of relying on the reflected light, your flash needs lesser power to get a similar lens aperture. To find the best budget lighting, visit deanosborne.com.

Umbrella

The umbrella is an accessible light modifier because it is less expensive, highly portable, and simple to use. Umbrellas provide soft and broad light to photographers, which emulates outdoor lighting. Unlike softboxes, it generates unrestricted lighting, which will go well everywhere. Umbrellas are available in two types; reflective umbrellas and shoot-through umbrellas.

Reflective Umbrellas

The interior of the umbrella is generally up made of a reflective, metallic material, while its outside is made of an opaque material. With this umbrella, you require to set up the inner reflective portion that faces the object, and you can easily shoot the flash into the reflective material so that the hard light reflects a broader, softer, and more light into your video subject.

Shoot-through Umbrellas

These types of umbrellas are made using a white, plain, and semi-translucent material. To diffuse the light with shoot-through umbrellas, you must point the outside portion of the umbrella to your object and shoot flash towards the opening to pass the light through the translucent material. Thus it makes the light softer. Unlike the reflective types of the umbrella, the light from shoot-through is much easier to control.

Umbrella generate bounced, indirect light that may need a flash with more output from the light source. As umbrellas provide broader, diffused lighting types, it is simple to use for beginners. Point an umbrella to the subject of your video, and you can straightaway get soft lighting.

Unlike umbrellas, softboxes will require you to have some basic knowledge of balancing the fill vs. key light (fill can be generated through an umbrella or any reflector). Hence, softboxes can’t be used to produce highly contrasting lighting. Softboxes are more complicated to set up and use the umbrellas. Read the detailed difference between the two lighting sources and understand how to choose the right for you: A Guide to Choosing Umbrellas and Softboxes.

Choosing the right light modifier that exactly matches the type of portrait that you attempt to create will enhance the looks of your video. Sometimes, it will need an umbrella, and other times you may need to use a Lightbank. To understand the lighting requirements for your video, you can read: Affordable Lighting for YouTube Videos: The Ultimate Guide.

There is no standard solution for every situation. You will need to choose the right ISO and lens if you want a natural light picture when it comes to operating artificial light, you may have to select the perfect tools for your video shoot.