The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Inside the Softbox

"What if I climb inside it?"

"There's only one way to find out..."

A few months ago I bought a large softbox - about 6 foot high.


Photo from Amazon

I've used it on a few photo shoots and really like the effect I get from it. You stick the lights in the side, and it diffuses across the large front panel, creating a soft light and creamy shadows.


Softbox in action (on the right) during my demonstrations over Spring Fling

Last week I was photographing the artist, Isabell Buenz for a project I'm working on. More of that will be announced probably next year.

Quite often on a photo shoot, once I've got the photo I set out to create, if we have time I like to experiment and play. The equipment is all there, but now the pressure is off, sometimes unexpected and interesting things can happen.

And in this case Isabell thought it might be fun to try out some shots of her inside the large softbox, rather than having it pointing at her. So in she climbed, I set up a flash on a stand on either side and took about half a dozen photos while she changed positions each time.

With light and shadows from both sides and the diffuse nature of the material, the result were quite abstract, even Picasso-esque in some places.

Here are some of the results, but for the full set, click through to my Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1119648191383217.1073741872.114749591873087&type=3







5 comments

Pat said...

Weird effects. I don't think I've ever herd of a soft box.

Pat said...

Or even heard:)

Kim Ayres said...

Pat - I'll bring it along next time I photograph you :)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

I've never heard of a soft box either, and I've been around photographers in the ad industry.

I think Picasso would love these photos!

My mind's all abuzz now with photos of things that can be taken inside the soft box :-)

Kim Ayres said...

Guyana-Gyal - it's a light modifier, in the way umbrellas and reflectors are - it helps soften the shadows by spreading the light distribution. You can get them in all sizes. If you get one yourself, be sure to post the photos :)

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