Taking lighting gear on location can sometimes feel like a game of how much stuff can I possibly fit in this bag? I want enough gear to create beautiful light, but I also want to keep things as simple and lightweight as possible.
LumiQuest recently sent me their StripBox LTp to try out, and I finally got a chance to put it to the test during a recent senior session. And honestly? I was pretty impressed.
If you’ve ever packed a camera bag for an on-location shoot, you already know how quickly modifiers can take over. Big softboxes are amazing, but they aren’t exactly what I’d call convenient. The StripBox LTp is a really clever little solution because it works as both a portable softbox and a strip box—and it’s compact enough to tuck right into my camera bag.
During the shoot, I used it a couple of different ways. For some images, I had it mounted on a light stand, and for others, it was light enough to simply have someone hold it. I love anything that gives me more options without adding a ton of bulk to my bag.
One of my favorite features is the window/door system. You can open, close, or adjust the panels on either side to control how much light spills out. So you can use it as a broader softbox when you want softer, more open light, or close it down into more of a strip box for a little more control. It works beautifully as a portrait light, rim light, or hair light.
I paired the StripBox LTp with a Godox speedlight and secured it with LumiQuest’s UltraStrap. For something that packs down so small, I was really impressed by how much light it helped spread and soften. The light was soft, flattering, and especially pretty on skin—which is exactly what I want from a modifier when I’m shooting portraits on location.
My verdict? I’m definitely keeping this one in my camera bag. I especially love it for senior and dance sessions where I’m moving around a lot and don’t want to haul a large softbox with me. Being able to use it on a stand when I have the option, or have someone hand-hold it when I need to move quickly, makes it incredibly practical. It gives me the softer, more controlled light I want without taking up much space, and that combination is hard to beat when you’re shooting on location.
The images throughout the article are some of my favorite images from the session, shot using the LumiQuest StripBox LTp paired with a Godox speedlight.
Images by Diana Alford | Diana Alford Photography
www.dianaalfordphotography.com
