With over 35 years of experience as a photographer, I have worked with studio flashes both in the studio and on location. Throughout my career, Elinchrom has always been my first choice.I have high expectations of my equipment. It needs to be reliable, easy to use and, above all, deliver consistent exposure and accurate colour reproduction. Equally important is having access to a wide range of light modifiers that give me the freedom to create exactly the light and look I want to achieve.Elinchrom Rotalux softboxes are the perfect complement to studio flashes. They combine thoughtful design, high-quality materials and ease of use with exceptional possibilities for shaping light.
Let me explain why.
I love working with light and being able to control it down to the smallest detail. During my studio flash lighting workshops, I often say that almost anyone can light a photograph, even with limited experience. The real art lies in directing the light exactly where you want it and highlighting the subject in the right way.
When using Rotalux softboxes together with Elinchrom studio flashes, I have an exceptional level of control over the light. This is mainly due to one important design feature: the flash unit's internal reflector combined with its raised flash tube.
Elinchrom studio flashes are designed to deliver high light output and exceptionally even light distribution. Thanks to the forward positioning of the flash tube and the reflector behind it, light is efficiently distributed across the entire surface of the light modifier.
It may seem like a small detail, but for me, it makes all the difference.
Regardless of which light modifier is mounted on the flash, it acts as a natural extension of the internal reflector. The result is beautiful, even light distribution from edge to edge, regardless of the size or shape of the softbox.
One of my personal favourites is the Rotalux Octa 135 cm. With this softbox, I can use the entire surface of the front diffuser or just the light coming from its outer edge to create soft, controlled transitions across the subject.The even light distribution gives me tremendous creative freedom. By changing the angle of the light, for example from 45° to 90° or even 120°, I can dramatically change the character and mood of an image without having to change the light modifier.
It is precisely this even light distribution that makes it possible.
45 Degrees
90 Degrees
Now imagine the difference with a flash unit where the flash tube is recessed deep inside the front of the unit. The light has more difficulty reaching the edges of the modifier, limiting your ability to make full use of a large softbox.Want to see for yourself how much the position of the light source matters? Try shining a flashlight through an empty toilet paper roll towards a wall. Move the flashlight forwards and backwards and observe how the light pattern changes. The principle is exactly the same.
The materials used in Elinchrom Rotalux softboxes are carefully selected to deliver the highest possible light quality.
From the highly reflective interior to the soft, even diffusion fabrics, every detail is designed to create beautiful, soft and flattering light. There are good reasons why Rotalux softboxes differ from more basic alternatives, both in construction and price.
Less expensive softboxes often use stiffer, coarser materials with poorer diffusion properties. Even though a basic 100 cm softbox may produce shadow transitions that are approximately as soft as those from a Rotalux of the same size, the overall quality and character of the light may not be the same.
The difference may appear as higher contrast, deeper shadows and more pronounced highlights, resulting in harder and sometimes less flattering light.Of course, this is not necessarily a disadvantage if that is exactly the look you are trying to achieve. However, with Rotalux, you have greater freedom to determine the character of the light yourself.
By removing either the inner or outer diffuser, you can easily change the contrast and character of the light. One of my favourite ways to use Rotalux is with only the inner diffuser fitted. It produces wonderfully beautiful light and a distinctive, attractive catchlight in the model's eyes.
Another major advantage of the Elinchrom lighting system is the ability to use deflectors.Thanks to Elinchrom's clever design with a centrally positioned umbrella mount, a deflector can easily be positioned in front of the flash tube, inside the softbox.
The deflector prevents light from travelling directly forwards and instead reflects it back towards the reflective interior of the softbox. This creates more indirect and even light distribution.
With one simple adjustment, you can change the character of the light and make your Rotalux perform more like a large Beauty Dish.
This gives you even greater creative freedom and the ability to achieve several different lighting effects with a single softbox.
Elinchrom Rotalux softboxes are not the least expensive on the market, but they offer an excellent balance of professional light quality, durable construction and ease of use.For photographers who value control, consistent light quality and equipment that performs reliably year after year, Rotalux is an investment that truly makes a difference.
Discover Elinchrom Rotalux and the possibilities of shaping light exactly the way you want.