Umbrellas

CaptMike

What is your make and model of your umbrellas and do you like it/them?

TaoTeJared

I have 4, 1 Wescot and 3 others I have no clue. Really I don't think it matters who makes them and never found one all that much better than another.

Now Size/colors/transparency makes a difference.

Msmoto

I have two primary Photeks at about 60", silver lining and I use them with the Elinchrom 400 ws D-Lite units. Somewhere in the cabinet is another and I also have some smaller umbrellas, down to one with a clamp handle, about 24" in diameter, white, which I manufactured my self years ago and can be used with the SB-800..

While there is more light loss than in soft boxes, IMO, the light from an umbrella has such a nice quality, I love them. The disadvantage is I find controlling the light requires huge cardboard panels on stands and even then an umbrella spills all over. With a high key area the umbrella reigns supreme.

Benji2505

I have a lastolite 3 in 1 and I like it because of its versatility for a few bucks.

Rx4Photo

I have a Westcott 40" umbrella. Use it as a shoot-thru as well as for reflected light. I like it but Msmoto put it best...it spills light everywhere so I only use it when I want light everywhere (don't have panels). I'll likely get another to match. For more control I use my softbox and will probably get a matching grid later for even more control.

Msmoto

To go with umbrellas, light stands and several 30" x 40" or larger pieces of cardboard, white on one side, black on the other will do a wonderful job of controlling the spill. Also, the tall light stands (10 feet) with an arm, hanging a black cloth is another way to do this.

bland

I'm buying one tomorrow for a shoot I have next week. It'll be my first and I'll have an SB700 stuck in it.

TaoTeJared

Local store was trying to get me to buy a new Wescott 7ft parabolic (more directed light) umbrella. Darn near did - that is a heck of a light source! They said another photog bought one and with a 400w flash he can stand in-front of it and shoot a subject with no shadows. I would have to see that to believe it, but it was huge! $99.

Rx4Photo

They said another photog bought one and with a 400w flash he can stand in-front of it and shoot a subject with no shadows. I would have to see that to believe it, .....

Funny that you should mention that TaoTeJared. Just a couple of days ago I was watching a B&H Photography video - I think it was Joel Grimes - where the photographer said that's exactly what he does. The question from the audience was "do you get any shadows when standing in front of this 7 foot umbrella." He said no. Although, he usually shoots pretty close to his subjects and the 7 footer is usually not the only light source.

Benji2505

"Funny that you should mention that TaoTeJared. Just a couple of days ago I was watching a B&H Photography video - I think it was Joel Grimes - where the photographer said that's exactly what he does. The question from the audience was "do you get any shadows when standing in front of this 7 foot umbrella." He said no. Although, he usually shoots pretty close to his subjects and the 7 footer is usually not the only light source."


Maybe you get a nice little silhouette of yourself in the catchlight. Would love to try it. Unfortunately we do not have a reasonable local store anymore. Bestbuy drove them all out of town and now I have to order this equipment online.

SquamishPhoto

Left with the option of umbrellas or soft boxes I always go with a soft box. My first strobe came with an umbrella and I still use it to shoot through when a scene requires it. However, the quality of light from soft boxes ,and even more so from huge octos, is a lot more pleasing and easier to work with. The catchlights seal the deal, really.

My .02

TaoTeJared

Maybe you get a nice little silhouette of yourself in the catchlight. Would love to try it. Unfortunately we do not have a reasonable local store anymore. Bestbuy drove them all out of town and now I have to order this equipment online.

The local store I have actually got 10 of the first Nikon D800's when they came out. They have somehow survived, and done so for many years. Prices are maybe 10% or the same as you can find on the internet. Bestbuy here barely has anything over compact digi cams as they have ran Bestbuy out of the camera market here. Yeah for the little guy!

I'll have to find that video RX4Photo - I like the idea of it, and it is much cheaper.

bland

I went today to get a white umbrella and they talked me into a gold one. They said a white one was to shoot thru as a diffuser. Hope I didn't screw up. If so let me know and I'll go back and get a white one.

Rx4Photo

@ TTJ , here's one video of Joel Grimes comparing the 5 foot and 7 foot octobox:

@ bland... my white silk umbrella (Westcott - not advertising) can be used as a shoot-thru as well as a bounce flash type and I've used it for both. Those gold ones are intended to warm up your image and from the images I've seen sometimes it's too warm - like early morning sunshine warm. I'd test it before going on location.

Msmoto

I always used silver or white umbrellas. But, another similar source is the soft box, about two feet square. I have stacked three of these so as to get a two foot by six foot "soft box" It gives a very nice soft light with some directional aspect as it is "narrow".

An umbrella can also be used from the side. One stand for the umbrella, the light shooting into it from one side...different "shape" and intensity. The exciting thing about all this is when we just start to play. if possible, do some experiments with a mannequin, and figure out several lighting modes which can be rapidly cycled through once the live model is in place. i avoid at all costs, using your model to set up the lights. Most want to be in and out, moving to the next change.

bland

Thanks Rx4Photo and Msmoto.......I'll go back and get a white umbrella and screen diffuser. It's for group shots at an event. I'll test them both out first.

SquamishPhoto

The exciting thing about all this is when we just start to play.

Some of my favorite lighting set ups have come from just playing around until it looks the way you want.