When you’re working on location, packing light isn’t always an option—but light modifiers are a must. These lightweight, ultra-portable light modifiers for photography shoots can deliver a range of portrait looks without breaking the bank, or your back.

5 Top Light Modifiers for Location Shoots

1. FJ Westcott Apollo Strip Speedlight Softbox

Get it for: Sharp accents, rim and hair lighting.

Why it’s fantastic: This 12 x 36-inch softbox promises an easy setup, like an umbrella, and its lightweight fiberglass construction makes it a breeze to carry. The Apollo Strip includes an 8-foot aluminum light stand with collapsible feet. The included shoe mount bracket lets you easily mount your off-camera flash without a speed ring and it can be positioned vertically or horizontally. If you need to soften your flash a bit, it includes a 1-stop diffuser.

Price: $129.90

fjwestcott.com

2. Glow ParaSnap 36 Octa

Get it for: Eye-catching catchlights and silky skin tones.

Why it’s fantastic: No one likes fumbling for gear, especially on location. The 36-inch ParaSnap Octabank pops open quickly via the “ParaSnap” mechanism. When you’re done, just fold it flat and slide it into the included case. Another location bonus, it features a tool-free mechanism for swapping speed rings, making it simple to switch between different flash brands on site. The interior sports Glow’s SterlingFibre silver lining and inner/outer diffusion silks for more light sculpting options.

Price: $229

adorama.com

3. Manfrotto Halo CompactPlus

Get it for: Soft shadows (diffuser model), fill light (reflector version), natural light shoots.

Why it’s fantastic: For those who really need to pack light with their light modifiers, the 16-ounce Halo CompactPlus collapses down into a small tote that can be hooked to a camera bag via the included carabiner. Thanks to its aluminum RapidExoframe and ergonomic handle, it’s not onerous to hold aloft—but a ¼-inch thread mount and ¼ to ¼ adapter are available if you need it staying in place for extended periods. It’s sold with either diffuser fabric or a reflector, depending on your desired look (you can also buy just the reflector cloth for your diffuser model, and vice-versa).

Price: $129.99

manfrotto.com

4. Profoto OCF Beauty Dish

Get it for: Hard lighting to accentuate contrast, catchlights.

Why it’s fantastic: This collapsible 22-inch beauty dish is available in a silver model if you’re seeking more contrast or white, for a softer touch. It weighs in at just 1.2 pounds with both the included a deflector plate and speed ring attached. The OCF Beauty Dish also includes a diffuser, but the $99 OCF speed ring mount isn’t included.

Price: $199

profoto.com

5. Elinchrom Shallow Umbrella

Get it for: Group portraits.

Why it’s fantastic: Few light modifiers are as easy to set up as umbrellas, and the Elinchrom Shallow Umbrella White/Translucent delivers the added benefit of versatility. Its removable reflective cover delivers lighting with greater contrast and texture, and when it’s off, you have a translucent umbrella for a softer and wider light spread. It’s available in 33- and 41-inch versions.

Price: $59.95 (33-inch); $69.95 (41-inch)

Elinchrom.com

Bonus Runner Up:

Lightweight light Modifiers: The Rotolight Smart Softbox

Get it for: Video shoots, product/detail photography.

Why we’re intrigued: A 1.5-stop diffuser you control with your smartphone or a built-in touchscreen display? Sounds cool. The Smart Softbox is designed for Rotolight’s AEOS 2 LED, so it’s not universally mountable or even compatible with other Rotolight gear. Still, it offers a serious amount of remote control, including the ability to adjust the beam angle from 50 to 140 degrees.

Price: $499

rotolight.com

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