Lighting modifiers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Here, we’ll focus on modifiers that provide diffusion panels that effectively make the light bigger relative to the portrait subject’s head. Shoot-through umbrellas, softboxes and simple light panels can all do the job effectively. You just have to select the best options for the way you plan to work.
Summary
![Godox 14"x63" / 35x160cm Strip Beehive Honeycomb Grid Softbox with Bowens Mount Speedring for Studio Flash Strobe Lighting [2-Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PEPinz7SL._SL160_.jpg)
1. Shoot-Through Umbrella
If you need an easy-to-use, effective lighting modifier, most of the basic white translucent shoot-through umbrellas will do the job. I mean, this type of modifier isn’t going to give you the absolute best quality of light when compared to the other options on this list. But, a shoot-through might be the most affordable option that’ll still give you acceptable results.
Shoot-through umbrellas are easy to transport and setup. They mount to most flash and lighting mounts, and using them is a breeze. Of course, using them IN a breeze (like outdoors) is risky, because as with most large modifiers, they’ll catch the wind like a sail and can tip over your light stand without warning. Hint: if using any large modifier outdoors, try to have an assistant brace the light stand. At the very least, use sandbags or some type of weight and a very sturdy light stand.
Most shoot-through umbrellas are relatively generic and inexpensive; who you buy yours from is less important than just buying the right size. These umbrellas won’t last forever if you treat them rough, but they tend to hold up nicely if you mainly use them indoors.
Keep in mind, there are some variations in quality from seller to seller, so check the reviews. This Westcott 45″ stands out from the cheapest options:
Specifications:
- Light Panel Size: 45”/114 cm
- Collapsed Size: 28.5”/72 cm (length)
- Mount Type: Standard umbrella shaft
- Materials: Metal shaft, fiberglass rods, translucent “satin” fabric
Westcott 2005 45-Inch Optical White Satin Umbrella (White)
Features
- Easy to use and easy to carry wherever you need them
- Reflects more light
- Easy to assemble/disassemble, compact and easy to store
Other options like the CowboyStudio 43” shoot-through umbrella will do the job for less, but expect cheaper materials at lower price points.
2. Glow EZ Lock Octa Softbox
Both softboxes and umbrellas help create bigger, softer-looking light when used correctly. But there are some important differences. For one, a softbox directs all the light from the light source (usually a flash or strobe) toward its front panel. This is a more efficient use of the light than you’d get with an opened-backed shoot-through umbrella.
Also, the front panel of a softbox is usually a flat and even plane, whereas an umbrella is a curved shape. So, the light from a shoot-through umbrella is generally more intense near the center as some of the light is directed out at wider angles.
I’ve used a lot of different softboxes over the years, and the Glow EZ Lock line has really impressed me. These softboxes are very easy to set up and take down – they’re collapsable, somewhat like an umbrella. But they are robust and produce excellent light for portraiture.
This Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox, with a Bowens-style connector, fits easily onto a strobe or flash mount that has a Bowens adapter. I’ve connected my Glow (a 36″ version) directly to my AD400 Pro and onto a S-Type flash mount when using my TT685 units. Everything worked perfectly.
The EZ Lock has a silver interior and an inner baffle to help disperse the light evenly as it gets directed through the front panel.
Specifications:
- Light Panel Size: 48”/122 cm
- Collapsed Size: 33”/84 cm (length)
- Mount Type: Bowens
- Materials: Aluminum support rods, fabric (may include grid)
Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox with Bowens Mount (48")
$80.00 in stock
Features
- User Friendly Design: The Glow EZ Lock Softbox bowens mount offers a user-friendly locking mechanism, eliminating the need for complex rod assembly and ensuring hassle-free setup for a collapsible softbox experience
- Ideal for Fashion and Portraits: This 48" octagonal softbox produces captivating softbox lighting that highlights subjects' features while maintaining a soft, natural look with bowens softbox compatibility
- Versatile Photography Lighting Softbox: The Octa Quick Softbox's reversible opaque deflector cover provides three levels of contrast, sharpness, and dimension to cater to various styles in photography studio lighting softbox applications
- Enhanced Light Control: Take control of your light source with the included Eggcrate Grid for your speedlight softbox, designed to emphasize facial features and provide a professional, controlled look for your photography softbox
- Durable & Portable: Constructed with durable materials and a flexible aluminum frame, this Glow Softbox sets the standard for portable softbox and folding softbox light control in both studio and on-location settings, compatible with speed light softbox and strobe softbox setups
This isn’t a perfectly circular softbox like some of Glow’s Beauty Dish versions, but it works well and does a good job in this configuration. I give this one a strong recommendation.
3. Photoflex Softbox
Round softboxes seem to be the most popular type these days but square and rectangular-shaped softboxes still have their place. My first serious softbox was a medium-size Photoflex LiteDome similar to the Photoflex Silverdome NXT and it produced some of the most beautiful light when coupled with the AlienBees 800 I used to use.
Keep in mind, that to mount your Photoflex, you’ll have to purchase a separate speed ring connector, that matches your mount type (like this Bowens one). This can increase the total cost by about $50. Also, softboxes like this are not as quick and easy to set up and break down as some of the round collapsable ones. I generally leave this type of softbox setup and ready to mount, even if traveling.
Why would someone choose one softbox shape over another? Well, round softboxes are great for portraiture because they produce natural-looking round catchlights in the eyes of your subjects. But natural light through windows creates rectangular catchlights, so it’s really a matter of taste.
Rectangular softboxes are also great for certain types of directed light and effects. Product photography, bodyscapes, hair light, and controlled feathering can all be easier with rectangular boxes. You might even want to use the reflection you get from this type of light for an obvious “studio” lighting effect as shown in the photo above. I’d recommend no smaller than this medium size (below) for a one- or two-person portrait.
Specifications:
- Light Panel Size: 24×32”/61 x 81 cm
- Collapsed Size: 27 x 5.5 x 5” (68 x 14 x 12 cm)
- Mount Type: Various, requires separate speed ring connector
- Materials: Steel-tipped support rods, fabric (may include grid)
Photoflex Silverdome NXT, Medium Softbox, 24" x 32" x 17".
Features
- Materials The SilverDome nxt is made with BrimStone silver interior fabric. This heat-resistant material was developed to accept a higher heat light source such as StarLite halogen lamps, tungsten, HMI and other hot lights. The SilverDome nxt can withstand up to 400° F without burning
- Removable Face & Baffle The SilverDome nxt has two layers of removable diffusion in our larger soft boxes. to keep the light smooth and even, as well as to prevent hot spots from showing up in reflectors. The removable face attaches to the soft box via high-grade Velcro.
- Baffle Clips These ensure that the internal baffle stays attached no matter how many times you open and close the soft box. And the elastic hoops of the baffle that the clips lock into keep the baffle taut and flat.
- Steel-tipped Rods The rods are strong and resilient--able to maintain the taut shape of a soft box, yet flexible enough to angle easily into connectors. All rods on our soft boxes are replaceable
- Suspension Loops At the front corners of the SilverDome nxt there are little loops designed for suspending your domes.
4. Strip Lights
As long as we’re open to softboxes that aren’t necessarily round, let’s continue down the path of the rectangle toward the strip box. These are long and narrow lighting modifiers that have a surprising number of uses.
You can use stripboxes for controlled background, hair and rim lighting. They’re perfect for bodyscape lighting. And they can even be used as special application key lights.
I’ve had a lot of success with this set from Godox (yes, buy two). The package I ordered came ready to mount to any Bowens-type flash mount. The build quality is excellent and I’m very happy with the light produced. Here’s a video I shot using the strip boxes in different configurations (in some cases, along with the Glow softbox I mentioned earlier).
Specifications:
- Light Panel Size: 14×63”/35 x 160 cm
- Collapsed Size: about 37”
- Mount Type: Bowens (other types avail)
- Materials: Aluminum ring adapter, metal-tipped rods, fabric
![Godox 14"x63" / 35x160cm Strip Beehive Honeycomb Grid Softbox with Bowens Mount Speedring for Studio Flash Strobe Lighting [2-Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PEPinz7SL._SL500_.jpg)
Godox 14"x63" / 35x160cm Strip Beehive Honeycomb Grid Softbox with Bowens Mount Speedring for Studio Flash Strobe Lighting [2-Pack]
Features
- Godox Softbox is designed to diffuse a strobe flash, giving you better even lighting.
- It comes with a silver reflective interior and a flush front face. It's necessary in any professional portrait studio.
- The soft box is equipped with grid
- Internal and external diffuser (detachable), used to improve the hard / soft ratio of the flash's versatility
- The large size of the soft box makes it ideal for fashion photography, portraits and medium and large size products.
As with some other softbox styles, I’d rather keep these assembled and ready to mount rather than break them down and set them up each time. Otherwise, these are highly recommended.
5. Fabric Panels & Shower Curtain Liners
Lighting modifiers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. The ones I focused on here are of the panel diffusion type. In its simplest form, a fabric panel alone is a very flexible solution for creating soft light. If you’re interested in learning how to use a light diffusion panel, you should check out the video below comparing a couple different approaches.
Neewer 12x5 feet/3.6x1.5 meters Polyester White Seamless Diffusion Fabric for Photography Softbox, Light Tent and DIY Lighting Modifier
$19.99 in stock
Features
- 11.8x4.9 feet/3.6x1.5 meters of DIY diffusion fabric
- Made from non-yellowing white nylon translucent textile
- Softens the light and eliminates reflections and shadows; Light reduction is about 1.0 f-stop
- Single piece seamless design; Lightweight and durable
- Note: Strobe light is not included
Learn more about lighting with the Flash Photography for Portraits Course.
