Using umbrellas photography
What is a Photography Umbrella? (And How to Use One)
By Hillary Grigonis By Tamara KedvesA- A+
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Your privacy is safe.Photography umbrellas are one of the simplest kinds of light modifiers to use. They are perfect for beginners as they are inexpensive, portable, and efficient. Umbrellas soften and spread the light, allowing for off-camera lighting without harsh shadows.
As common as photography umbrellas are, they are also often misused. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of a photography umbrella.
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What’s a Photography Umbrella?
Photography umbrellas are a type of light modifier.
This means that you will need to attach it to an external lighting source. Umbrellas are also a type of diffuser, which means they spread light out over a larger area. This creates soft lighting.
Like softboxes, an umbrella is often used in portraits and other types of studio photography. While softboxes are easier to control, umbrellas tend to be more affordable and easier to set up.
For portraits, it’s useful to remember that catchlights will take on the shape of the modifier. While all umbrellas are circular, softboxes come in different shapes.
Umbrellas are great for beginners. But there are a few things that you should know before buying your first one.
See how the umbrella lights the subject compared to a softboxTypes of Photography Umbrellas
Lighting modifiers come in different types. Umbrellas are no exception. The umbrellas are white or black, and lined with white or silver.
White Umbrellas
A white umbrella (also known as a “shoot-through”) has translucent white fabric.
This fabric diffuses and spreads light over a larger surface. This reduces the intensity of the light, and you may need to turn up the power on your flash or strobe to offset this.
White umbrellas are best for lighting a larger area, such as a group of people. Because they spread the light over a larger surface area, they reduce the glow of light more than other types of modifiers.
Black Umbrellas
Black umbrellas are reflective. These umbrellas keep more of the light’s power and don’t spread out light as much as white umbrellas. This makes reflective umbrellas easier to control.
The umbrella’s lining will also affect the lighting. A black umbrella with a white lining creates a softer light than the same type of umbrella with a silver lining.
An umbrella with silver liningConvertible Umbrellas
Convertible umbrellas are white umbrellas with a black cover. With the cover removed, these umbrellas are shoot-through. Add the cover, and the umbrella becomes a reflective umbrella.
If you’re unsure whether to choose a reflective umbrella or a shoot-through umbrella, a convertible umbrella is an excellent option. It also won’t cost much more, either.
Convertible umbrellas also allow for a more advanced lighting technique called flagging.
Why Size Matters
Umbrellas also come in a variety of different sizes. Like any diffuser, larger means softer light. Both factors (size and type) will affect how the umbrella works.
To use a large umbrella outdoors on a windy day, you’ll need to sandbag your light stand. This will keep the umbrella from tipping over. If you don’t have a sandbag, you can try weighing down the light stand by hooking on your camera bag.
If you plan on working only in a studio with powerful strobes, you can safely use a large umbrella.
When it comes to price, there are different brands available at different price points. The perk of going with a more expensive brand is more durability and longevity.
A studio setup with a large umbrellaHow to Use a Photography Umbrella
1.
Mount the Umbrella to the Strobe or FlashMost studio strobes will have a small hole to insert the umbrella’s handle, and a knob to tighten it in place.
If you are using an off-camera flash system, you’ll need a flash bracket with an umbrella holder. The flash bracket screws into the top of the light stand, and the flash or off-camera receiver slides into the receptacle at the top.
There’s a small hole on the bracket that the umbrella handle can slide into. It has a knob at the side to tighten it in place.
Pay attention to how close you place the light to the umbrella. If you place the strobe or flash too close to the umbrella, it won’t light the entire umbrella. The result will be a light that isn’t as soft as you would want it to be.
Pay careful attention to how the light reflects on your object2. Place the Umbrella to Cover the Light Source
The umbrella should cover the light you are using, but that doesn’t mean that it has to face the subject.
The angle of light you use will vary for creative lighting patterns. The direction of the umbrella depends on the type you are using.
We now know that white umbrellas work as diffusers. With this in mind, you will have two options for the direction. The umbrella can either face the subject directly or be placed in a way that it reflects off another object. For example, in a studio, you could use the umbrella to reflect light off a white wall and make the light even softer.
With a reflective umbrella, place the strobe or flash looking away from the subject. The point is to have the silver or white lining of the umbrella facing the subject.
Adjust the umbrella’a position to experiment with creative lighting3. Experiment With Different Angles For More Variety
Using an umbrella follows much of the same process as using any other light. Adjusting the angle of the light to the subject will create different creative lighting patterns.
These include split light, Rembrandt, loop, and butterfly. You can learn more about lighting patterns here.
Try experimenting with different angles. Facing the subject will create intense light that also illuminates the surroundings. Whereas, if the umbrella faces slightly away, you will only have an edge of the light reaching your subject. This is called feathering, which is a great technique for covering an area with softer and weaker light.
Don’t forget that you can also change the height of the light. Go higher for more dimension, or lower for more even light.
Take an experimental photo after setting the umbrella up, then adjust the light as needed.
4. Use Multi-Light Setups
Using one light is simple and easy to manage. But for more advanced lighting techniques, you will need more than one external light source.
Try combining different light sources with an umbrella.
Softboxes work well as the main light, while extra umbrellas are excellent fill lights. If you have a third light, such as a flash or a strobe, you can also add it behind the subject to create a backlight.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with multi-light setups. You can even try adding coloured lighting gels or reflectors to add colour to your image.
Conclusion
Photography umbrellas make excellent diffusers for both professional photographers and beginners. They are portable, inexpensive, and easy to use.
With the tips in this article, you now know how umbrellas create softer, more flattering light.
We hope that our article has helped you decide to try out an umbrella!
If you found this article useful, check out our Photography Unlocked eBook next!
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The Ultimate Guide to Photo Umbrellas for Photographers
Photo umbrellas are a portable and inexpensive option for modifying a light source to a desired result. An umbrella can be used with virtually any style of light, including sunlight, off-camera speedlites, strobes, monolights, and continuous light sources.
The portraits below compare the “hard light” created by a bare speedlite with a softer light created by a modified speedlite.
Flash Only
Flash + Diffusion Umbrella
Umbrella Style Options
When purchasing an umbrella, the first thing a photographer should determine is whether they want a shoot-through umbrella, a reflective umbrella, or both.
Shining a light source through a shoot-through umbrella results in a broader and softer light. This light placed very close to a subject, since the shaft of the umbrella is pointed in the opposite direction.
As demonstrated below, the light source is pointed directly at the subject and the umbrella placed between them.
Shoot-Through Diffusion Umbrella
Shoot-through umbrellas are very versatile. Since these umbrellas spread the light’s output to about 180 degrees, they can be placed close to a single subject or pulled back to illuminate a group. However, because these umbrellas are designed to spread light and not maximize it, many photographers will utilize 2 or 3 lights to maintain power when photographing a large group or product.
QUICK TIP: A large diffusion umbrella, like the 7’ Diffusion Parabolic, is an easy and effective solution for softening harsh sunlight. This umbrella can be placed between the subject and the sun for instant diffusion during outdoors shoots.
When using reflective umbrellas, photographers point their light source away from their subject into the umbrella to reflect light back onto the subject. This is typically referred to as “bouncing light”.
Silver Reflective Umbrella
Reflective umbrellas are designed to maximize output and direct light, unlike shoot-through umbrellas. These umbrellas give photographers the ability to move the light source further away from their subject while effectively maintaining output.
QUICK TIP: A large reflective umbrella, like the 7′ Silver Parabolic or the 7′ White Parabolic, can be paired with an diffusion front. This combination maximizes output while also softening the light, in the same fashion as a large octabox but at a fraction of the price.
© Benny Migs
Photographers who commonly switch between bouncing and diffusing light (or new photographers who aren’t sure which they’ll do most often) can purchase a convertible umbrella. A convertible umbrella is a white diffusion umbrella with a removable black cover.
Convertible Umbrella
The black cover on this umbrella blocks light from escaping and effectively bounces the light back like a reflective umbrella.
This cover can be removed easily to convert the umbrella into a standard shoot-through.
What surface color of umbrella should I buy?
A white shoot-through umbrella creates a broad and extremely soft light source. These umbrellas are ideal for photographers lighting large areas or groups of people. These umbrellas aren’t as efficient with light output and many photographer’s find themselves increasing their light’s power settings when using them.
A silver reflective umbrella maximizes light output and creates a crisp, edgy look. Silver umbrellas are ideal for photographers who want to harness as much of their light’s power as possible. These umbrellas are perfect for creating dramatic portraits with cooler tones.
A white reflective umbrella is efficient at maximizing light output creating a softer look. White umbrellas are ideal for photographers who want to maintain their output while creating a light that is less dramatic and neutral.
As state previously, a convertible umbrella gives photographers the best of both worlds and is an ideal choice for new photographers or photographers that shoot a variety of subjects.
Flash Only
Flash + Silver Umbrella
Flash + White Umbrella
Flash + Diffusion Umbrella
What size of umbrella should I buy?
Westcott offers umbrellas in sizes ranging from 32” to 7’. When choosing size, the general rule of thumb is that the larger the light source in relation to your subject, the softer the light will appear.
32″ Umbrella Light Spread
7′ Umbrella Light Spread
32″ Umbrella + Flash
7′ Umbrella + Flash
However, you need to consider travel. What size of umbrella will fit in your gear bag or case? If you’re looking for a larger light modifier but need a compact form, our telescoping collapsible umbrellas are a great choice. These collapsible umbrellas open up to 43” but collapse down to only 15”.
We often hear shooters say that they can’t use a large umbrella because their speedlite or flash isn’t powerful enough.
Considering the recent advancements in technology (especially if your flash is under 4 years old), speedlites available today pack a serious punch and should work great with all umbrellas.
If you have an older or less powerful flash, then we recommend using a Triple Threat adaptor, which allows photographers to mount up to three speedlites within their umbrella to increase overall output.
How should I light my umbrella?
You need to make sure that the light produced by your preferred light source is filling up your umbrella without spilling over the edges. The best way to determine the position of your light is to take an underexposed test shot of the face of the umbrella. If you notice a hot spot or unevenly bright area of the umbrella, adjust your light source further back on the umbrella shaft until the light coverage is even.
Light Mounted Close to the Umbrella
Light Mounted Further from the Umbrella
Many newer speedlites allow photographers to change the zoom or focus on their flash.
can be helpful in filling the entire umbrella. Hot spots aren’t always a bad thing, though. You may also choose to place your light source closer to the umbrella. When you move it closer, you get a tighter circle and it will produce deeper shadows on your subject and more noticeable light fall-off.
Softer Light from Light Placed Far from Umbrella
Edgier Light from Light Placed Close to Umbrella
How should I mount my umbrella?
Most studio-style lights and strobes have a simple umbrella receptacle that the umbrella shaft can slide into. They are commonly located at the bottom of the light, built into the light’s tilter bracket. Sometimes they are actually located within the light head.
Umbrella Receptacle on a Strobe Light
Umbrella Receptacle on a D5 Constant Light
If you are using a speedlite, you’ll need to use a common shoe-mount bracket with a built-in umbrella receptacle that will mount your speedlite to a light stand.
Our versatile Adjustable Shoe Mount Speedlite Bracket is the perfect solution for speedlite photographers. This bracket features a built-in umbrella receptacle, tilting knob, and can mount virtually any speedlite. When purchasing a shoe-mount bracket, be sure that the shoe mount is adjustable. Speedlite mounts can vary and may not be compatible with every bracket.
Umbrella Receptacle on a Shoe Mount Bracket
If your studio-style light does not have an umbrella receptacle, you can utilize a Tilter Bracket. These brackets are easy to use and allow for exact positioning of your umbrella and light. The Westcott Tilter Bracket is designed with two stand receptacles, one for your light and one for your stand. When mounting, be sure to place the end with the umbrella receptacle toward the top as this will allow you to tilt your umbrella and light simultaneously.
Umbrella Receptacle on a Tilter Bracket Mounted on a Spiderlite
And, if you’re looking for more power, check out the popular Triple Threat Speedlite Bracket.
This bracket perfectly centers onto the shaft of any umbrella and allows mounting of up to 3 speedlites. Mount this bracket quickly to a stand with its built-in light stand threads or combine this with the Adjustable Shoe Mount Swivel Bracket for tiltable mounting.
Umbrella Receptacle on a Triple Threat Bracket
Available Umbrella Options
Shoot-Through Umbrellas
Standard Umbrella - Optical White Satin Diffusion (32") • Compact Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White Satin Diffusion (43") • Standard Umbrella - Optical White Satin Diffusion (45") • Standard Umbrella - White Diffusion (7')
Silver Reflective Umbrellas
Standard Umbrella - Soft Silver Bounce (32") • Compact Collapsible Umbrella - Soft Silver Bounce (43") • Standard Umbrella - Soft Silver Bounce (45") • Standard Umbrella - Silver Bounce (7')
White Reflective Umbrella
Standard Umbrella - White/Black Bounce (7')
Convertible Umbrellas
Convertible Umbrella - Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover (32") • Convertible Compact Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover (43") • Convertible Umbrella - Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover (45") • Convertible Umbrella - Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover (60")
Umbrella Kits
Compact Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit - Optical White Satin Diffusion (43") • 7-Foot Umbrella Bundle
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