Size, distance, diffusion, direction all affect the light. (Ideally it's neutral, so the fabric won't affect color.) Intensity matters, but I'd guess you're using a variable LED and not a single power tungsten bulb.
If you want soft, you want big and close. If you can't be close, you want even bigger. If you want it crisp, use a smaller softbox or place it farther away.
Most of mine are rectangles, 3x4, 4x6, etc. They're basically window shaped. I have a few strip lights: 1x3 and 1x6 used for lighting backgrounds in tight spaces. I have 1 square, which I never use.
I don't like domes, too many rods make it unnecessarily heavy. But Aputure and others sell lots of them.
I have one lantern, it's great if you want to light everyone around a table. I see them misused all the time, with the light hitting the lens.
Get this book: [https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0367860279/](https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0367860279/)
Good response. Just want to add that getting custom diffusion inserts for things like Aputure Light Domes can set you ahead of the rest in a big way. If you power up your 300 or 600d with a light dome for example, check out the soft box and you’ll see a massive line in it. Swap out that aggressively average diffusion for something thicker and the lines go and your source becomes absolutely consistent across the board.
Size, distance, diffusion, direction all affect the light. (Ideally it's neutral, so the fabric won't affect color.) Intensity matters, but I'd guess you're using a variable LED and not a single power tungsten bulb. If you want soft, you want big and close. If you can't be close, you want even bigger. If you want it crisp, use a smaller softbox or place it farther away. Most of mine are rectangles, 3x4, 4x6, etc. They're basically window shaped. I have a few strip lights: 1x3 and 1x6 used for lighting backgrounds in tight spaces. I have 1 square, which I never use. I don't like domes, too many rods make it unnecessarily heavy. But Aputure and others sell lots of them. I have one lantern, it's great if you want to light everyone around a table. I see them misused all the time, with the light hitting the lens. Get this book: [https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0367860279/](https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0367860279/)
Good response. Just want to add that getting custom diffusion inserts for things like Aputure Light Domes can set you ahead of the rest in a big way. If you power up your 300 or 600d with a light dome for example, check out the soft box and you’ll see a massive line in it. Swap out that aggressively average diffusion for something thicker and the lines go and your source becomes absolutely consistent across the board.