Reverse Engineer this Popular Shot

[photofixation]

This is a old popular shot of (and by) David Hobby. He has mentioned his strobe settings and placement but somehow I am unable to get the soft light wrap on model sitting. The shadows at the wall are soft here (still not figured out how) but mine they are harsh and defined. Also if you look at the can, that too has a soft light mostly from laptop.

I was using sb700 hitting laptop screen and for lighting laptop sb600 with same settings (Its not about strobe models I guess) with my D90 flash as commander so now pocket wizards.

Thanks.

[zona5101]

what are you using to diffuse the light?

[photofixation]

as per david's description .. no diffuser .. just a green gel. Tried standard omni diffuser that came along with SB700 but no luck..

thanks..

[ddr]

this might sound stupid but is your laptop screen a matte one?

[photofixation]

not sure about matte finish .. but it is a normal laptop screen

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by photofixation

not sure about matte finish .. but it is a normal laptop screen

Some screens are glossy, and some are matte. The matte ones will diffuse the light more. Try this. Cut out a piece of paper the same size as your screen, and use that to bounce off of instead of the bare screen. It should make a difference, and soften it up.