Flash Photography Tips – Intro to Photographic Umbrellas

The photographic umbrella is one of the fundamental tools of off-camera flash photography. Because of the low cost, ease of use and effective ability to increase the size of the light source, an umbrella (or brolly) is a useful utility for new and experienced photographers alike.

An umbrella is a light modifier; it modifies the size and intensity of light emitted from your flash and gives you more control. Over the next few articles we’ll be looking at different light modifiers and the benefits of each. Let’s start now and look at the benefits that umbrellas give us.

Low cost
Probably the best news about umbrellas are the low cost. You can get a good umbrella for around $20 depending on the size and type you need.

[ad name=”250×250″]Variety
You have a few choices when it comes to types of umbrellas.

• White umbrellas – This is the most versatile type as you can shoot through the umbrella or bounce the light off the umbrella (see illustration below for explanation).
• Silver umbrellas – These can only be used in the bounce configuration, but because the material is shiny silver you can typically get a stop or two more light than you get with a white umbrella.
• Gold umbrellas – Same benefits as the silver, but will give you a warmer tone. These are typically more expensive than the silver umbrellas.
• White umbrellas with removable back – These umbrellas give you the versatility of white umbrellas, but have a black removable back that can be used to provide a more efficient return of light when used in the bounce configuration. You can also reverse the backing and encapsulate the flash. This helps control the spill of light and is what most call a true “brolly” configuration.

Ease of Use
Basically open the umbrella up, attach it to the strobe or umbrella adapter and you’re all set.

Positioning
With any umbrella setup, you aim your flash away from your subject. This way the light hits the open umbrella and a wide spread of light bounces back toward your subject.

If you’re using a white umbrella, you have the option of shooting through the umbrella material. In this configuration, you aim the flash at your subject. The light hits the umbrella and spreads before reaching your subject.

Quality of Light
In lighting, the bigger your light source, the softer the light. If you want really soft light, then you want to get the apparent size of the light source as big as possible. Setting up your flash so that the light bounces off of your umbrella will give you a nice big light source, though you will lose a stop or two which may be crucial if shooting outside in daylight.

If shooting through the umbrella, the spread of light isn’t as wide and soft. However, you can get your umbrella and flash very close to your subject and conserve more power than you could if you were bouncing the light off the umbrella. Depending on the size of your subject, getting the umbrella closer could provide an effective increase in apparent size of the light source resulting in nice, soft light.

Ready to buy?

• Westcott 43″ – White
• Westcott 43″ – White w/ Removable Backing
• Westcott 43″ – Silver
• Westcott 45″ – Gold