[Marvin Mattelson]

The silverdome is a light panel. Essentially it is a silver lined reflector that has a rectangular opening which is covered by diffusion material. It gives off a similar effect to a north window. The size of a light panel and the distance to the subject are the factors which determine the quality of the light that hits the subject, same s a real window. Smaller light sources give more apparent modeling effects while larger light sources give a softer more even effect and things appear flatter. The further away the lightsource is from the subject the sharper the edge of the cast shadows. However the cast shadow edge is also softened if the lightsource is larger.

The effect of an umbrella is similar to that of a light panel, again depending on the distance to the subject, the size of the umbrella and the material inside the umbrella.

Photoflex claims that the light you purchased doesn't give off as much heat as other 500 watt bulbs. Since you're shooting sculpture it probably wont be an issue, that is unless you plan to shoot unfired soft clay or plastellina. They could possibly melt? For shooting people 500 watts might be uncomfortable and make them sweat.