Quality of light from a distance

[Dobick]

does anyone have any experience shooting with strobes from a distance (like in a gymnasium for sports, etc)

and can you tell me if there is a difference between the quality of light when using a reflector vs using a softbox or umbrella?

I know that the power will be knocked down if you use a modifier, and you can control the bounce some with a softbox, but at a distance of 50 feet or so, will the shadows be markedly different?

[Tom]

The softness of a light is determined by how big the source is, how the light is diffused and how far the source is from the subject.

For a 50' shot, your light will diffuse so much you probably won't get anything great if you use a softbox. You want a long throw reflector.

I don't know what brand light you use, but Elinchrom makes these long throw reflectors:
Elinchrom 10-1/4" High Performance Reflector EL 26137 B&H

You will have a hard light with a long throw, but at 50' or more you are going to have a hard light anyway.

[Sonny]

Kent,

There is some great info in this Strobist article.
Strobist: On Assignment: Prep Basketball

[Dobick]

I appreciate the link, Sonny, and there is some great info in there...

But I was asking more on the hypothetical type of situation. I have also been on some portrait shoots where the light needed to be located a long way away from the subject due to physical restrictions of the land, etc. and I have a shoot coming up on Saturday that is likely to be this way, and that got me thinking about light quality.

And more specifically, if a diffuser like a softbox would add anything to the equation, or if it would only cost you power (ie knocking the light down a stop or more)

I think Tom got to the heart of the question mainly, with the

but at 50' or more you are going to have a hard light anyway

[BRosePhoto]

You got it -- it will just cost you power at that distance.

[Tom]

Lastolite Medium Skylite Kit (White/Silver) LL LR81243 B&H Photo

You can long throw through something like this and it will come out looking like window light, because you are basically recreating real window light. For soft light from a long throw, it is pretty much your only option.

For a cheaper option, use a big white sheet and some clamps.