SoftBox Pro

If you have an iPad or an iPhone, you may want to look at an app called SoftBox Pro by EggErr Studio.  First to be very clear, this is not a camera app.  It is a lighting app to be used with your camera.  Now, I cannot remember the last time I used a flash of any type with my camera.  I love natural light even when it is very difficult to be found, but there are times when a little extra soft light comes in handy, and that is what SoftBox Pro is about.  Now you are not going to light a studio with it, but for small subjects or a soft wash of light on larger subjects, this app really does a nice job.

When you first open the app, you are presented with this screen (above).  From here you can adjust the brightness of the light, the color (just like a filter), and select a shape and/or pattern if you choose.

 

Light Screen (no shape or pattern)

Possible Shape Choice

Possible Pattern Choice

Once you have done this, you simply tap the middle of the screen, and your iPad or iPhone screen will fill with your selections. 

You may now use it to light your subject.  Once done, simply double-tap the screen to return to the selection screen.  Too simple.

One thing I must say, and I am sure it is something I am missing here, but I just don’t know how or why I would ever use any of the patterns included!  Pretty wild.

The app is available at the iTunes Store, and costs $2.99.  The same app is also available for your iPhone for $.99.  I have not tried to use the iPhone app strictly for static lighting a subject, but I have tried light painting with it, and have gotten some very nice results.  Hopefully I will have some time to practice more with light painting, and then we can talk about that here too!

 

All iPad screen shots were taken with my iPhone.  I grabbed the first thing available for the shot above, which happened to be the remaining bud on a Christmas Cactus.  It was taken handheld with a Nikon D300 (40mm f/2.8 macro, at f/3.2, 1/80, ISO 400) in a dark room using only the SoftBox app for lighting.  I used a piece of white poster board for the background.  Except for crops, all shots are SOOC.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me, or ask in the comments section here.  If you ask in the comments section, I will answer your question there.

~NOTE~  From time to time, I like to bring you little bits of info such as this.  If at any time I am compensated in return for sharing my thoughts/experience I will fully disclose that.  I will also be completely honest in my opinion both good and not so good.  Please know that it is my opinion based on my experience.