Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

I'm brand new to the PCB family and am just unboxing the AB800 kit. I occasionaly have to shoot an event at a venue with a low ceiling where I can't get much lift from the stands and shoot thru umbrells I have used in the past (Strobist). Does it make sense to put a beauty dish type sock on the AB800 standard reflector? That way I could get more height on the strobe and hopefuly still keep the light softer than bare bulb / reflector.
Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Chip

You may see marginal differences. Part of what an umbrella does is to increase the apparent size of the light source (from the subject's perspective). This is what softens the shadows. A sock will not do this, it will, however, decrease the specularity from the silver reflector.

If the ceilings/walls are white, you may want to consider bouncing the light off of that for a softer look than a socked reflector.

Hmmm, now that I have looked up the definition of "specularity" I understand the issues better. Bounce would be off of typical old hung ceiling panels and the walls are beige. The brollys are shoot thru so they point down vs. bounceing brellas. I guess I can continue the way it's been going, about 4 shoots a year all in the same location. Hmmm take the ceiling panels out?, stick the AB800 up in there and hang the umbrella down thru the grid hoping that the brella diffuses the light so I don't get any shadow lines. Might work!

Anyway thanks for your help and I'm looking forward to my first outing with the Bee's.

Chip

You might also consider using a globe or silk lantern modifier which would give you some direct light and some ceiling-bounced light. Not sure just how this would look, might end up being to hard of a source (especially with a smaller globe) but it is worth considering.