I want to make it soft...

[scottalanphoto]

OK... I got the alien bees.... LOve love them... I also have a grid as well... Love love it... However... I want to make it softer... I've seen folks put some kind of fabric with an elastic band around the front of a strobe with a grid for a soft effect... I went to the alien bees site looking for that and could not find it... does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[cwend]

If you mean to put them on the bee without a softbox, then look on ebay for them. I think they call them diffuser socks

[doctahjones]

white shower caps work too....

[scottalanphoto]

thanks doctah

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by doctahjones

white shower caps work too....

careful with that -- as they will get a lot hotter than you expect, and can quickly melt (or worst case catch fire)

one thing that I have used is a five-in-one reflector. The main white structure on that can be used as a shoot through diffuser. Couple that with one of the reflector arms from paul buff, and you can attach it directly to the same lightstand that your light is on.

[The Philos]

A diffusion sock over a grid will not be as effective as a gridded softbox in providing soft directional light.

[jstevensphoto]

Soft boxes are not too expensive and they really soften the light, especially when you need them close. I use two small ones on individual portraits or small groups.

[The Loft Studios]

Originally Posted by doctahjones

white shower caps work too....

Originally Posted by Dobick

careful with that -- as they will get a lot hotter than you expect, and can quickly melt (or worst case catch fire)

one thing that I have used is a five-in-one reflector. The main white structure on that can be used as a shoot through diffuser. Couple that with one of the reflector arms from paul buff, and you can attach it directly to the same lightstand that your light is on.

As well as most domestic shower caps ARE NOT color balanced for neutrality.....
Your light might output "no telling what color" thru a shower cap.

[brad]

Its not what you put over the front of the light that matters for soft/hard light.. its size of the light source in relation to your subject. The bigger the light source in relation to your subject, the softer your shadows and light are going to be.

[pookie]

I think what you saw is a beauty dish. I have one and love it.
AlienBees: Illuminating the Galaxy with Professional Photographic Lighting Equipment