Soft Boxes - How do I determine how much I need??

[len woodruff]

I have 2 16 inch soft boxes with 105 watt compact florescent bulbs. I am thinking this is about 1000 watts combined.

It doesn't seem to give me enough light for my macro/portrait shots.

How would I determine what I need to get enough light?

[mirageii]

How close to the subject are you positioning the softboxes?

[len woodruff]

How close to the subject are you positioning the softboxes?

Less than 12 inches. I have one point down @ 45 degrees on the left and one parallel pointing directly at the subject.

I take pictures of 1/25 scale cars and their components like engines etc.

[Camron70]

I have 2 16 inch soft boxes with 105 watt compact florescent bulbs. I am thinking this is about 1000 watts combined.

[len woodruff]

Thanks how many bulbs are in each unit?

[Maestro]

You could get a light meter (which usually measure in lumens/lux, BTW, not watts).

Or you could just take a picture and see how many stops you are underexposed. (Keeping in mind that each stop under means you need to double the amount of light(s).)

Or since you're shooting static subjects with a constant light source*, you could just use a longer shutter speed.

Mark

* P.S. although, for macro photography, you generally want to use flashes/strobes, not CFLs.

[len woodruff]

You could get a light meter (which usually measure in lumens/lux, BTW, not watts).

Or you could just take a picture and see how many stops you are underexposed. (Keeping in mind that each stop under means you need to double the amount of light(s).)

Or since you're shooting static subjects with a constant light source*, you could just use a longer shutter speed.

Mark

* P.S. although, for macro photography, you generally want to use flashes/strobes, not CFLs.

Thanks I will try that.

[dubaiphil]

Shooting at what ISO?

Whatever the ISO, double it, then double it again - hey presto - 4 times as much effective light