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Category: Studio, Still, & Personal Portraiture Photography

Photography Question 

aileen cockburn
 

Does Anyone Use These Umbrellas?


White Translucent Shoot-Through Umbrellas ... I have just bought 2 with a digital lighting kit and wanted to know the best way to use them. Thank you in advance!


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March 20, 2007

 

John H. Siskin
  Hi Aileen,
I use umbrellas like this in small spaces to take architectural shots. You can also use these umbrellas as a bounce umbrella, but without a black cover, you get a lot of light bouncing around your set and this can be a problem. My favorite umbrellas are 45 to 60 inch white satin umbrellas with a black cover to prevent spill.
Thanks.


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March 21, 2007

 

Debby A. Tabb
 
 
 
I will see if I have a set up picture for this as well for those who need to see them set up.


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March 21, 2007

 

aileen cockburn
  Thank you for you help. I plan to use them to practice. I was planning on using them in the sitting room with the round bit of the umberella facing the subject with the lightings shinin through facing them( hope that makes sense?)
could you tell me if this is correct.
Aileen


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March 22, 2007

 

Debby A. Tabb
  Aileen,
yes, that is how you do it.
I was tring to find a pic, but got side traked, I will look.
just reverse how normally you'd shoot into an umbrella.
Good Luck,
Debby


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March 22, 2007

 

John H. Siskin
  I first started using umbrellas more that thirty years ago. Back then, everyone set them up as bounce, rather than shoot-through. Except in small spaces, I still do. With a shoot-through umbrella, you get a lot of light coming out both sides. This can cause reflection problems. This is why I prefer umbrellas with black backing: less light spread.


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March 22, 2007

 

Debby A. Tabb
 
 
  Bounce Umbrella
Bounce Umbrella

Debby A. Tabb

 
  shoot thru
shoot thru
The main light should be a foot above the subjects head at a 45 degree angle with the Hot spot towards the chest.

Debby A. Tabb

 
 
Aileen,
I tryed to copy pages out of my CD but I could not.
I can't seem to find those "shoot thru" Pics.
but heres the next best thing,
one will show bounce.
one shows a shoot thru, this is a intresting umbrella and inexpencive as well.
It goes on like a shoot thru umbrella,
but works as a soft box.
will find you a link.


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March 22, 2007

 

Debby A. Tabb
  Thank You John! I am sorry I had left my screen in respond as I went to find pics on other computer.
Yours are great!

Ok and here is a link to a set, one halo ( as seen) and one square (smaller)and they include a reflector as well, always handy.

http://www.nextag.com/ACME-UNITED-Westcott-Portable-55192358/prices-html

wishing you a lot of fun in your tests,
Debby


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March 22, 2007

 

W.
 
It would be interesting to see a head-to-head comparison. Side-by-side images of the same subject in 2 versions: one illuminated by a shoot-through umbrella, the other with the same umbrella though used as a bounce umbrella.

Actually SEEING the difference beats any description.


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March 22, 2007

 

Bruce A. Dart
  Hi Aileen,
All of these comments are good. Naturally, it depends on you subject matter and how close to your light source your white umbrella is. Farther away does bounce more light around the room. Shooting through the umbrella gives an effect much like a softbox, which is designed to work in close to a subject. Shooting through the white umbrella gives a softer light than an umbrella with a black cover or other umbrellas. This technique might be great for portraits but a disaster for products. As suggested, test it and see what you like.


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March 27, 2007

 
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