test shot using a DIY softbox.

[jiro]

I took a test shot a couple of minutes ago using a home made 12-inch square softbox made out of cardboard materials lined with aluminum foils, some duct tape, and a plastic material as a diffuser that i got from the bottom crate of a home depot crate box. It was coupled to a Nikon SB-24 flash set on manual mode (it won't function with eTTL on my Nikon D70) at 1/16th power. Distance from the subject is about 8 inches. I think this gadget would look handy for some more macro lighting setup.



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Nikon D70, 70mm, ISO 200, f/14 at 1/250 second.

[jiro]

Here's another one featuring my Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens:

[ktuli]

Willie,

Very nice. Looks like you've got some significant light fall off in the back right corner though.

- Bill

[jiro]

Yes, Bill. You're right. I can handle that by increasing the light output of the flash. I'm going to experiment more on this gadget and see how it works on my macro shots later. Off to experiment again for me this time.

[jiro]

Here's the shot of the DIY softbox.

[speedneeder]

Willie,

Very nice. Looks like you've got some significant light fall off in the back right corner though.

- Bill

Bill, I would expect that with any diffuser, wouldn't you?

Willie, are you working on a 365 project from France or something???

[jiro]

Willie, are you working on a 365 project from France or something???

What is that? I have no clue, Brian.

[jiro]

Here's another test shot. For my subject I used my miniature die-cast Yamaha R6 bike. The softbox was positioned 8" higher than the bike and almost backlighted. A white plastic reflector was used front right to bring back some light and detail on the front side of the bike. Thanks for viewing.

[Colin Southern]

Yes, Bill. You're right. I can handle that by increasing the light output of the flash. I'm going to experiment more on this gadget and see how it works on my macro shots later. Off to experiment again for me this time.

Hi Willie,

Increasing the output won't help - it's not a "lack of power" issue, it's a light falloff issue (square law -v- distance thing). You'll need to move the flash further away from the subject so the % falloff is less between the ends of the light zone (and probably increase the power or increase the ISO).

[jiro]

Thanks, Colin. I forgot about the inverse square law principle thing. Hehehe.

[Colin Southern]

Thanks, Colin. I forgot about the inverse square law principle thing. Hehehe.

No worries

It's something that bites a lot of people in the bum doing group shots -- those in the foreground are correctly exposed, but those in the background aren't -- and it kinda goes against all instincts to back the flash distance off to improve the exposure.

[jiro]

Yup. I forgot to remember that light fall-off is abrupt when the subject is very close to the light source. You can easily spot a newbie in flash photography with this kind of shot. Hahaha! At least I'm learning. Now, off I go to combine flash photography with macro.

[Colin Southern]

That's why I'm "constructing" a 2m x 1.2m light source for photographing children & babies -- hopefully I can get it far enough away to still be even (but still soft) no matter where they move!

[jiro]

That is way cool! I always love doing things on my own if I can't afford to buy one. In your case, it's much easier because you have paying clients to sustain your appetite for bigger stuff. Hehehe. I think the biggest softbox I saw was a feature on how they took the shot of a Mercedes Benz sports car on a plane hangar and the size of the overhead softbox is about 10 meters X 15 meters! I'm pretty sure the photographer was paid handsomely after the session.

[Colin Southern]

That is way cool! I always love doing things on my own if I can't afford to buy one. In your case, it's much easier because you have paying clients to sustain your appetite for bigger stuff. Hehehe. I think the biggest softbox I saw was a feature on how they took the shot of a Mercedes Benz sports car on a plane hangar and the size of the overhead softbox is about 10 meters X 15 meters! I'm pretty sure the photographer was paid handsomely after the session.

That's almost exactly twice the size of my studio - wow I reckon he'd be paid handsomely if he used his own gear!

[jiro]

... I reckon he'd be paid handsomely if he used his own gear!

That is so true.

[KeithH]

Ooops, I missed this post and the guy's have said it all. I think you and I are jacking up the profits of duct tape makers Willie

[Colin Southern]

Ooops, I missed this post and the guy's have said it all. I think you and I are jacking up the profits of duct tape makers Willie

One of the best things to have in a camera bag when shooting on location!

[KeithH]

One of the best things to have in a camera bag when shooting on location!

Together with a three-section folding extension ladder, battery-operated chain saw and assorted scaffolding

[Colin Southern]

Together with a three-section folding extension ladder, battery-operated chain saw and assorted scaffolding

Don't laugh - I actually have a ladder - several 3-section light stands - and 3 generators for location shooting!