Softbox vs Naked Flash

This set compares light from a small softbox on the left against a naked direct flash on the right. The left is all softbox, the right is all direct flash, with varying ratios in between. The idea is to compare both the quality of light from these two types of sources, and also see how each functions as a fill light for the other. Because the light is so strongly from the sides, the difference between these two lightings is not as obvious as it might be. But look at the details in the face and the fingers. The naked flash produced hard shadows while the softbox is produced softer, rounded shapes.

Bottom Line: Softer light produces softer looking images (softer in shaping, not softer in focus).

100mm, f11

Left

Right

With the only light source being the softbox on the left, the right side of her face is dark, but with a much softer look than in image 8.

all softbox

Here we have 8 parts of softbox on the left to 1 part direct light from the right, which acts as fill to soften the dark side of the face.

8 parts softlight to 1 part direct

Four parts softbox on left to one part direct light from the right.

4 parts softlight to 1 part direct

2 parts softbox on left to 1 part direct light on right.

2 parts softlight to 1 part direct

1 part softbox to 2 parts direct light on the right. Now the softbox is acting as the fill light.

1 part softlight to 2 parts direct

1 part softbox to 4 parts direct light from the right.

1 part softlight to 4 parts direct

1 part softbox to 8 parts direct light. Now the softbox is purely a fill light.

1 part softlight to 8 parts direct

All direct, naked flash on the right. Compare to all softbox light in frame 1, or with other frames with some amount of softbox helping fill the dark side.

All direct naked flash