How I do my lighting setups in studio: Tilting Softboxes + 7ft Umbrella Setup (Patreon)

Lighting Talk with Stretch: Tilting Softboxes + 7ft Umbrella Setup

Yo — this one was for Dae (shoutout to DaetimeVisuals). Stretch broke down how he tilts his 7-foot parabolic umbrella and softboxes during his studio shoots. Here’s the run-down:

🧠 Quick Takeaways

• Viewer-Requested: Stretch makes content based on your questions. Don’t sleep on the table of contents or the Amazon storefront — all his gear is listed there.

• Backlight Tilt Strategy:

  • Most of the time, he keeps backlights straight on for clean rim lighting (side of the arms/back).

  • If he wants a hair light too:
    → Raises the light, tilts it slightly down to catch the top of the head and shoulder area.

• Main 7ft Parabolic Umbrella:

  • Used to always go butterfly lighting (light straight down) — still uses it when filling shadows with a 4th light.

  • Now prefers angled positioning:

    • Doesn’t know the degree — just eyeballs it.

    • Hits the subject all around+ adds brightness to the backdrop.

    • Works great if you’re only using one main light.

• Today’s Shoot Setup (7pm):

  • Going back to butterfly lighting.

  • Just letting the edge of the softbox hit the subject.

  • Using another light to fill shadows.

🛠️ Gear Note

All his softboxes, umbrellas, and lights are linked in his Amazon storefront (check the table of contents). If you're trying to copy the setup, it’s all there.

🗣️ Stretch’s Final Word

If it helped, let him know. If you need more, hit him up or schedule a 1-on-1.

“I ain’t too technical with the degrees — I just know it does what it needs to do.”