stopping down a softbox?

Depending on the wattage, you could use a dimmer.

Another option is DIY. Go to Home Depot or Lowes, buy a roll of screen that would go in a screen door. Cut the size of your softbox then, c-47 it to your softbox. More than one piece would keep knocking it down to an acceptable level.

Good luck.
 
7/24 said:
Depending on the wattage, you could use a dimmer.

Another option is DIY. Go to Home Depot or Lowes, buy a roll of screen that would go in a screen door. Cut the size of your softbox then, c-47 it to your softbox. More than one piece would keep knocking it down to an acceptable level.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

just get ready for a shift in color temperature.
 
Yeah, the professional way would be to rig a net in front of the softbox. This way you do not affect your color temperature, and you have measurement of your light reduction.
 
Andrew Brinkhaus said:
Yeah, the professional way would be to rig a net in front of the softbox. This way you do not affect your color temperature, and you have measurement of your light reduction.
Click to expand...


Could I get this netting/fabric from a fabric store, if so what kind of fabric would be good for this?


thanks for all the replys!
 
Also, most people in most situations should be using an egg crate on a softbox. An egg crate will take down probably 20 or 30% of output.

Dan
 
Moving the light back makes the light harder and the intensity falloff is not as rapid as for a point source so the f-stop feet trick doen't work.
 
Hi Zimzum,

You can clip piece/s of ND filter to the diffusor inside the softbox, swap to a lower wattage bulb, or do both.

Regards, Michael
 
Go to the fabric store and buy BLACK colored " TULE". Same stuff as dance TU-TU's. Very similar to fabric used in "NETS" . Cheap,cheap, cheap.... I use it all the time to knock down windows, and glass doors. Easy to clip onto a softbox- very, very light weight..
 
J Michael said:
Moving the light back makes the light harder and the intensity falloff is not as rapid as for a point source so the f-stop feet trick doen't work.
Click to expand...

In theory you're right, but have you ever moved a soft light source back from a subject before though? Light drops right off as you move it back. The light's going to fall off WAY faster than it it will convert from soft to hard lighting as you move it further away.
 
Gohanto said:
In theory you're right, but have you ever moved a soft light source back from a subject before though? Light drops right off as you move it back. The light's going to fall off WAY faster than it it will convert from soft to hard lighting as you move it further away.
Click to expand...

And you are exactly right in ref the harder light. I know a famous still shooter that
doesn't move his softboxes past the width measured (ie 30in width=30in from subjest)
 
I think Papa was referring to the lowering of the color temp using a dimmer - knocking down with netting or tule or screen door fabric should all maintain the color temps to the best of my knowledge.
 
I have the same question as lairhair...why hasn't anyone recommended "Tough Spun" over it, what is what I use, and it works great....
 
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