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FT Pro, Mem SOG,'08 Cert Excellence PSA, '02 Schroeder Portrait Award Copley Soc, '99 1st Place PSA, '98 Sp Recognition Washington Soc Portrait Artists, '97 1st Prize ASOPA, '97 Best Prtfolio ASOPA
Joined: Jun 2001
Location: Peterborough, NH
Posts: 1,114
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That 20" reflector pictured above would indeed soften the light - but might be bulky to travel with. However, for that price.....
The modeling light will show you where the light falls and defines your shadows. Remember that shadow patterns are an important design and composition element.
The modeling light is too weak to use alone with your camera settings. The strobe plugs into the camera, overrides the modeling light when it flashes, captures the image, and insures that you can capture on film what you actually see.
The strobe is necessary if you are photographing children or animals. (i.e., Your subject does not need to sit very still - good with adults too).
In a pinch, I have used a regular light bulb in place of the modeling light....but prefer the bulb suggested by the manufacturer.
Basically all the advice in the world won't substitute for experimentation and finding out what works best for your individual needs.
Theoretically natural lighting is best but I live in a place where the weather does not cooperate and I really need studio lighting that I can count on.
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