Softboxequipment
A fabric box over a light that enlarges and softens it, for gentle, wrapping shadows.
Soft light comes from a large source relative to the subject. A softbox spreads a small, harsh flash into a big, even panel — softening shadow edges and flattering skin. Bigger and closer = softer. Umbrellas do similar; softboxes give more control over spill. The opposite (a bare bulb or direct flash) gives hard, defined shadows.
Use this when
- Flattering portraits: large softbox, close to subject
Common mistake: Placing the softbox far away, which makes it act like a small, hard source again.