Learn how to choose the right lighting modifier for your photo and video setup. In this guide, we explain when to use a softbox, umbrella softbox, grid, spherical softbox, or U-shaped reflector, and how each one affects shadows, contrast, reflections, and the overall look of your scene.
Lighting modifiers – how to choose the right softbox, umbrella, or grid
A good light is only half the story. Even a powerful light source can look too harsh, too flat, or too uncontrolled if it is not shaped properly. That is exactly what lighting modifiers are designed to do. Softboxes, umbrellas, and grids let you decide whether your light should be soft, directional, contrasty, or more natural-looking.
At the beginning, the most important thing is to understand what each modifier does and when it is actually worth using. Portraits need a different type of light than interviews. Product photography has different requirements than a simple talking-head video. And a small room with bright walls creates different challenges than a larger studio space.
What are lighting modifiers?
A lighting modifier is an accessory that changes the character of the light coming from a lamp or flash. It can diffuse the light, soften it, direct it more precisely, or reduce spill around the room. As a result, it becomes easier to control shadows, contrast, reflections, and the overall mood of a photo or video.
If the illuminated surface is small compared with the person or product being photographed, shadows will be more defined, and the transitions between bright and dark areas of the frame will be sharper. A modifier increases the apparent size of the illuminated surface or changes the direction of the beam, making the result more predictable.
In practice, you will most often come across three solutions: a softbox, an umbrella softbox, and a grid, also known as a honeycomb grid.
- A softbox gives you soft light that remains fairly easy to control.
- An umbrella softbox lets you quickly create broad, gentle illumination.
- A grid, most often used with a softbox, narrows the beam and reduces light spilling to the sides.
- A spherical softbox, also known as a lantern, spreads light more broadly around the lamp and helps create soft, general illumination across the scene.
- A U-shaped reflector helps bounce light back towards the face, gently filling shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin, especially in portrait and beauty setups.
Hard light and soft light – what is the difference?
The basic difference comes down to shadows. Hard light creates shadows with sharp, clearly defined edges. Soft light creates smoother transitions between highlights and shadows. In portrait photography, hard light can strongly emphasise skin texture, wrinkles, unevenness, and shadows under the nose or chin. Soft light usually looks gentler and more natural.
The larger the illuminated surface appears from the subject’s point of view, the softer the shadows will be. That is why a large modifier placed close to the face will usually produce softer light than a small lamp, or the same modifier placed farther away.
That does not mean soft light is always better. Hard light can be a deliberate creative choice in fashion, sports photography, character portraits, or highly stylised images. For beginners, however, soft light is usually an easier starting point because it is more forgiving on the face, skin texture, and shadows.
Softbox – the most versatile choice
A softbox is one of the most popular lighting modifiers because it combines two important qualities: it softens light and gives you more control than a bare lamp. The light first enters the softbox, reflects off its inner surface, passes through a diffuser, and only then falls on the person, product, or video set.
In practice, this means fewer harsh shadows, smoother tonal transitions, and more repeatable results. A softbox works very well for portraits, beauty photography, product photography, interviews, podcasts, live streams, reels, and simple social media videos.
The level of control depends on the softbox’s construction, size, depth, position, and whether it is used with a grid. A large softbox without a honeycomb grid can still illuminate a scene quite broadly. If you want to reduce spill to the sides, choose a model with a grid or position the light at an angle that prevents it from accidentally illuminating the background and walls.
Parabolic softbox – portraits, beauty, and natural-looking facial light
A parabolic softbox has a round or near-round illuminated surface, which is why it is often used for portraits and beauty shots. It produces pleasant, soft light and natural-looking catchlights in the eyes. It is a good choice when you want to light the face, upper body, or full figure and achieve a studio-style effect that still feels gentle.
Newell 65 cm softbox
A smaller softbox, such as a 65 cm model, is easier to position in a limited space than larger modifiers. It works well for photographing one person, recording at a desk, and mobile work. However, at a similar distance from the subject, it will produce slightly more contrast than a larger softbox.
Newell 85 cm softbox
An 85 cm softbox is a highly versatile choice. It still does not take up a huge amount of space, yet it allows you to create noticeably soft light. It is a sensible option for portraits, video recording, product photography, and working in a small home studio.
Newell 120 cm softbox
A 120 cm softbox provides a larger illuminated surface than smaller models. At a similar distance from the subject, it creates smoother transitions between light and shadow. It works well for portraits, full-body shots, fashion photography, larger scenes, and recordings where broad, soft light is the goal. However, it also requires more space, so it may be less convenient in a small room.
It is also worth looking at what is included in the set. Newell parabolic softboxes in 65, 85, and 120 cm versions come with a Bowens mount, silver interior, two diffusion fabrics, and a grid. This allows you to work with both broadly diffused light and a more focused beam.
Rectangular softbox – video, interviews, and product photography
A rectangular softbox is especially practical for video recording and product photography. A 60 x 90 cm or 80 x 120 cm format works well as a key light for the face, upper body, desk shots, interviews, or product tables. Its rectangular shape creates light that resembles window light, which is why it is often used for educational videos, webinars, video podcasts, and YouTube content.
For small products, details, or more selective lighting, a narrow softbox, such as a 30 x 120 cm model, can be useful. This type of modifier gives you better control over a strip of light. It can emphasise the edge of an object, the outline of a figure, the texture of a material, or the side contour of a face. It will not be as universal as a classic rectangular softbox, but it gives you more precision.
Umbrella softbox – a more affordable way to get soft light
An umbrella softbox is usually faster to set up than a classic softbox. It opens much like an umbrella, making it a practical option when you want a simple and efficient setup. It is a good choice for people who are just starting to work with lighting and want to quickly see the difference between a bare lamp and diffused light.
The biggest advantage of an umbrella softbox is broad, soft illumination. A large 140 cm model can light the face, body, a larger part of the scene, or a simple photo setup. It works well for portraits, product photography, video recording, and home use.
Spherical softbox – soft light for interiors, videos, and larger scenes
A spherical softbox, also known as a lantern, works differently from a classic rectangular or parabolic softbox. Instead of directing the light mainly forward, it spreads it more broadly around the lamp, helping you create general, soft illumination across the scene. It is a good choice for video recording, live streams, interviews, home interiors, and larger setups where you do not need very precise separation between the light and the background, but rather a natural way to brighten the space. The Newell 80 cm spherical softbox has a Bowens mount, so it can be used with LED lights and studio flashes that support this standard.
U-shaped reflector – for portraits, beauty, and filling shadows under the face
A U-shaped reflector is not a softbox, but it can be a very practical addition to a portrait or beauty lighting setup. Its curved design allows light to be reflected towards the face from a larger surface and helps create more controlled catchlights in the eyes. In practice, it is often placed under the model’s face to gently fill shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin – for example in a clamshell lighting setup, where the key light is positioned above and the reflected light works from below. The Newell 4-in-1 U-shaped reflector, 160 x 80 cm, has four surfaces: white, silver, gold, and black. This allows you to create a more neutral and soft reflection, stronger light, a warmer effect, or reduce unwanted reflections and increase contrast.
Diffusive or reflective?
A diffusive umbrella softbox works in a straightforward way: the lamp shines through a white, translucent surface, and the light is softened and spread broadly. It is a good solution when you want to quickly achieve gentle light for a portrait, video, or product photo.
A reflective umbrella softbox works differently. The lamp shines towards the silver interior, which reflects the beam, while the diffuser softens and evens out the light. The result can be more defined than with a diffusive umbrella, but it remains diffused and more pleasant than light from a bare lamp.
For beginners, a diffusive umbrella softbox will usually be more intuitive. A reflective umbrella softbox has a slightly different character and may work better when you need greater efficiency or a more pronounced, yet still softened, light.
Grid – when is it worth using?
A grid is a mesh attached to the front of a softbox. Its main purpose is not to soften the light. Its job is to narrow the beam and reduce light spilling to the sides. This allows you to decide more precisely what should be lit and what should remain in shadow.
This is especially important in small rooms. Without a grid, a large softbox can illuminate not only the face, but also the walls, background, ceiling, and half the room. With a grid, the light becomes more directional. It can still be soft, but it is less uncontrolled.
A grid is useful in portrait photography when you want to separate the subject more clearly from the background. It is also very helpful in product photography because it reduces unwanted reflections and gives you better control over where the light falls. In video recording, it helps keep the image cleaner and more controlled, especially when the background should remain darker or less illuminated.
How to choose a modifier for a specific use
For home portraits, it is best to start with an 85 cm parabolic softbox or a 60 x 90 cm rectangular softbox. Both options are fairly versatile, do not take up too much space, and allow you to achieve soft light on the face. If you have more room, you can choose a 120 cm softbox or a large 140 cm umbrella softbox.
For video recordings, podcasts, and interviews, a rectangular softbox is a good choice. It provides natural-looking light that works well on the face and is easy to place to the side of the camera. If you work in a small room, choose a model with a grid, as it will help limit the light falling on the background and walls.
For product photography, a rectangular softbox will be useful, and sometimes a narrow softbox as well, especially for details and edge highlights. With products, it is not only important whether the scene is bright, but also how the reflections look. Glossy packaging, glass, metal, and plastics quickly reveal whether the light has been set up intentionally. A larger softbox creates softer reflections, while a grid helps reduce visual clutter on set.
For makeup and beauty content, a parabolic softbox is a good choice. It gives pleasant light on the face, looks good in eye reflections, and allows you to achieve a clean, repeatable result without a complicated setup. When recording at a workstation, it is worth positioning the light so that it illuminates both the face and the working area, such as hands, cosmetics, accessories, or the detail being filmed.
For quick sessions and simple recordings, an umbrella softbox works well. It is a convenient and effective solution, especially if you do not need very precise background control. If you do need more control, a softbox with a grid will be the safer choice.
For larger scenes, interviews, live streams, and interiors, a spherical softbox can be a very useful choice. Instead of directing most of the light forward, it spreads the light more broadly around the lamp, helping to create soft, general illumination across the scene. It works especially well when you want to brighten the space naturally rather than create a highly controlled, directional beam. However, if you need to keep the background darker or prevent light from spilling onto the walls, a classic softbox with a grid will give you more control.
For beauty portraits, makeup content, and close-up shots of the face, a U-shaped reflector can be a valuable addition to your main light. It is usually placed below the face to bounce light back upwards, gently filling shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin. This makes it especially useful in clamshell lighting setups, where the key light is positioned above and the reflector works from below. A U-shaped reflector will not replace a softbox, but it can help refine the look of the light and create cleaner, more flattering illumination on the face.
What can go wrong?
Lighting modifiers make the job easier, but you still need to know how to use them. Even a good softbox, umbrella softbox, or grid can produce poor results if it is positioned incorrectly, chosen for a room that is too small, or used without any control over the background.
Softbox placed too far away
The first mistake is placing the softbox too far away. Beginners often assume that if a softbox is large, it can stand far from the subject. In reality, distance matters a lot. The farther away you place the modifier, the smaller its illuminated surface appears from the subject’s point of view, and the harder the light becomes. If you want a softer effect, move the softbox closer.
Light placed directly in front
The second mistake is lighting the subject directly from the front. This setup can work for some recordings, but it often produces a flat image. In portrait photography and video, it is usually better to start with the light placed slightly to the side, roughly at a 45-degree angle. This gives the face subtle modelling and makes the image look more intentional.
Leaving the background to chance
The third mistake is ignoring the background. Many beginners look only at the face or product and only later notice that the background is overexposed, visually messy, or lit in an odd way. A lighting modifier affects not only the main subject, but also everything around it. That is why, after setting up the light, it is worth checking the entire frame.
Using an umbrella in a small room without controlling reflections
The fourth mistake is using an umbrella in a room that is too small without controlling reflections. An umbrella softbox can soften light very effectively, but it can also illuminate a very wide part of the scene. If the walls are white, light will bounce off them and return into the frame. Sometimes this will help, but in other cases it will reduce contrast.
No grid when light spills to the sides
The fifth mistake is not using a grid when the light starts spilling to the sides. If a softbox is lighting half the room, the problem is not always the lamp’s power. Sometimes it is enough to attach a grid, change the angle of the light, or move the subject away from the background.
Different colour temperatures in one frame
The sixth mistake is mixing different colour temperatures. If one lamp produces daylight-balanced light, another is warmer, and there is also a yellow room lamp or window light in the scene, skin tones and product colours may look unnatural. A modifier will not solve the problem if your light sources have different colour temperatures.
Practical tips for beginners
Start with one main modifier and learn how to position it. It is better to master one softbox than to use three lights at random. Begin with a simple setup: a lamp with a softbox placed slightly to the side and a little above the face. Take a test photo or record a short clip, then evaluate the shadows under the nose, under the chin, and on the background.
If the shadow is too harsh, move the softbox closer or use a larger modifier. If the light is too flat, move the lamp more to the side. If the background becomes too bright, use a grid, change the lighting angle, or move the subject away from the wall. If the product strongly reflects the lamp, increase the size of the illuminated surface or change its position.
In portrait photography, avoid placing the lamp very low unless you intentionally want an unnatural, dramatic effect. In video recordings, pay attention to whether the light shines directly into glasses. In product photography, look not only at the brightness of the object, but also at reflections, edges, and the shadow underneath the product.
Do not treat the first position of the modifier as final. Moving it just a dozen centimetres up, down, closer, or farther away can noticeably change the result. The best way to learn lighting is to make small adjustments and observe what happens to the shadows.
Which lighting modifier should you choose first?
If you want one modifier that is as versatile as possible, choose a 60 x 90 cm rectangular softbox or an 85 cm parabolic softbox. Both will work for portraits, video, product photography, and a home studio. They are good choices for people who want soft light but do not want to start with very large accessories.
If you care about quick setup and broad light, choose a 140 cm umbrella softbox. It is a simple way to soften light and illuminate a larger scene. It will be useful for basic recordings, portraits, and product photography, especially when you do not need very precise control over the background.
If you work in a small room, pay attention to softboxes with a grid. A grid will help limit the light falling on the walls and background, making the frame look cleaner. This is especially useful for video recording, portraits, and product photography.
If you photograph or film larger scenes, consider a larger softbox, such as a 120 cm model, or a large umbrella softbox. A larger illuminated surface creates smoother transitions and softer light, but it also requires more space.
Choose the right modifier for your setup
A good lighting modifier is not a tool reserved only for advanced photographers and video creators. That is a myth worth dispelling. In reality, it is one of the basic tools that helps you control the character of a photo or video.
The best choice depends on what you photograph or record, how much space you have, and what lights you work with. If you do not know where to start, contact us. We will help you choose the right setup of lighting modifiers and lamps for portraits, product photography, video recording, beauty workstations, home studios, or mobile work in the field.
