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This 18x24-inch rectangular softbox deliberately places the strobe head on which you mount it off-center, for an asymmetrical output that is top-heavy when the unit is oriented vertically. Why? Because photographers often put more light on the upper portions of a portrait subject, "feathering" it to dimmer levels below. Being narrow and rectangular, strip lights (AKA strips) are smaller than comparable square softboxes and are typically used in a vertical orientation, the usual format for portraits, making their output easier to control than that of a square softbox.
Because a conventional strip's output is usually even from top to bottom, it casts the same amount of light on a subject's face, neck, torso, and even legs (if full length) -- not always desirable for the portraitist trying to draw attention to a face. So photographers often reduce the light falling on areas below the subject's head by "flagging" the lower portions of a conventional strip. The Westcott/Dorn Strip eliminates the need for that practice, or for mimicking it with post-production burning and dodging, by placing the head off-center -- so that up to three stops more light falls on the subject's face than below.
For situations that require less falloff, or even fully symmetrical output, the Dorn strip comes with three interchangeable front diffusion panels that reduce its hot spot to two, one, or even zero stops. About $400 (compare prices).
fjwestcott.com
American PHOTO Editor's Choice 2007
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