Lighting w/a soft box.

[magoo]

I just picked up my second Monolight. I am now using a alien bees 1600 and an 800. I have a large soft box that is 30" by 60",1 brolly box, 2 silver umbrellas, 1 white umbrella, 1 gold umbrella, and a 20deg light modifiier. I've never used a soft box and was wondering if there were any tips to using them. I will be shooting some family christmas portraits for my cousin to get some practice and I'm hoping to have them turn out ok. I was getting good results w/just my brolly box but now that I have some new toys I want to make sure I dont' waste their time.

Appreciate any advise,
Magoo

[Asylum Steve]

...when using a softbox the first time is placing it either to low or too close to the center (camera position), or both.

A large softbox produces a nice soft light source, much like a large window, so don't be afraid to try a high light placement or one quite a bit to the side. With only a slight fill, any shadows on your subjects will be soft, and a higher or side light source is usually more interesting...

Have fun...

[magoo]

if I wanted to do a photo of a couple people like a small family portrait would I be better off using the soft box on one side and a brolly box on the other or use 2 silver umbrellas @ 45deg angles? Another question that is off topic, When I use my polaroid back and I separate the film how do I get it so that some of the picture don't come off. I pull it slowly but sometimes a part of the image comes off, should I do somthing different like pull it fast like a band aid?

Thanks for your help,
magoo.

[another view]

I just check out this forum from time to time to try to learn something - I don't really have anything to add. But - here's a question I can answer!

Pull the polaroid apart "like you mean it". Pull it fast, like a bandaid. Also best to pull it thru the back this way, one solid movement.