This is seriously legit. I'd only considered umbrellas when I want flat even lighting everywhere, like in certain commercial jobs. But this is a great primer on how to use them to sculpt lighting the way I would normally do with softboxes and other more directional modifiers. This is great because there's one advantage to umbrellas that you didn't mention: they're very quick to set up. So this will help when I'm pressed for time, and don't want to waste any of it pitching tents on the set.
Wow I watched sooo many lighting videos this was the BEST & easy example straight to the point with examples side by side I finally understand thank you ❤
Great to hear. You might like some of our laws of light videos. Here is a link: studio.th-cam.com/channels/UbAIlQq6qdOCW7nURh9Qog.htmlvideos/upload?filter=%5B%7B%22name%22%3A%22TITLE%22%2C%22value%22%3A%7B%22name%22%3A%22CONTAINS%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22laws%20of%20light%22%7D%7D%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
Love this video...its so true people start with umbrellas then forget about them as they move to soft boxes (thats me) but recently started using them again. They are great light modifiers. Thanks for another superb video.
Love my umbrellas-portable/versatile/cheap! One hint- you will get a wider light spread by using a different reflector on your strobe- the 'standard' that you had on limits the light spread too much for the 70" (necessitating you having someone hold the umbrella- not very practical!)- I use a wider angle reflector for that reason with umbrellas....
@@hermansurkis9229 No, I used a bare bulb once when I forgot to hook up my reflector & it was disastrous- the light escape the umbrella & the 180 degree light-spread created odd concentric lighting effects- Don’t do it!!
Great reminder of why umbrellas are so versatile and useful. I routinely combine umbrellaed lights WITH softboxed lights to take advantage of their characteristics. Also, umbrellas with front diffusers give you some of the added control of a softbox with umbrella versatility and cost. Great video, thanks J.P.
Ah yes! Front defusers make a great difference. What style/type of images are you usually taking when using umbrellas and softboxes? I'd love to see your work Karl. Tag me in some images on Instagram or Facebook so I can check them out. :) @theslantedlens
@@TheSlantedLens I'm usually shooting portrait or lifestyle with umbrellas. A common mix is to key with the SB and fill with a huge umbrella, but I sometimes use a diffused umbrella for Rembrandt cross light. My website is karlshreeves.zenfolio.com; the main page shows portraits, with other public-access galleries through a folder through the bottom of the page, and my somewhat neglected blog . Thanks for replying to my reply.
Great video. I use a 70" on a separate stand from the light, otherwise it wants to tip everything over because the center of gravity isn't over the shaft of the stand, even with a large stand. Takes up a little more space and requires another stand, but I don't worry as much about it falling over.
you can narrow by partially closing the umbrella. that is what photographers like Joe McNally did. Westcott also offers umbrella with cover that you use the limit the spread of light
Nice video. One thing about a shoot through is that it's easier the umbrella closer to the subject than a bounce umbrella, just because of the umbrella shaft direction of the shoot through is pointing away from the subject.
I love shooting with umbrellas. When I am on a ediorial shoot with a client, it is like having a portable window with you. Looks totally natural and you get perfect light every time
So grateful for this channel. I recently graduated from art school (not for film, but I dabble in it) and I’m currently starting my first ever project without access to my school’s photo department & all its equipment. So great to see what I can do for cheap & how to do it instead of thinking I can’t do anything without replicating the expensive collection of equipment at college.
The one CRITICAL thing not discussed or tested is the distance of the umbrella to the subject: think inverse square law. I find the distance more important kind of umbrella material. A large (70") shoot thru as close as possible to the subject is just about as soft and flattering as it gets: nothing beats a big, bank of light close to the subject.
Umbrellas are good for time-constraint location photography, such as a wedding or family shoot in the park. Chuck a Godox magnetic head speedlite on a stand with a dome diffuser and shoot it into an umbrella. You don't want the couple and everyone to have to wait for you to set up your giant octobox. Speed is essential as you are providing an experience for them, not just nice pictures.
@@TheSlantedLens Perhaps a look at various ways to use rim and hair lighting to add more dimension. Specifically, I'm finding that there is a huge difference between using hard and soft sources of light for rim/hair lighting. Would love to get your take on that.
@@curtisjudd Great topic choice! I'd love to learn more about that myself! I'll add this to the list and hope to have a video covering this in the new year. Thanks so much!
As an umbrella fan I have to say this is one of the best video's explaining the goods and bads of umbrellas and the difference between fabrics and shooting inside and through them. Chapeau and thanks for sharing.
I've been using umbrellas and getting harsh lighting on people's skin (shiny skin with pores way too visible), and I couldn't figure out why for the longest time. 2:51 really explained that for me. Such an easy thing to get wrong. Glad I found this video!
I only just now discovered your channel and subscribed as I LOVE your breakdown on this. As someone who has done his 10,000+ hours (more like 20,000+) I often shoot with an on camera flash or none at all, or even one umbrella and people ask, "How do you shoot without a ton of lights?" I laugh and ask them, "Do you like Sunrise and Sunsets?" They always nod or say yes. "How many light sources does God use? One, the Sun. Think of me as God with a camera". They laugh but that's just it. We ONLY shoot reflected light, we can't see anything (because it's refracted too when it hits the back of our eye). Red ring L series glass, yeah, the extra stops help, but you give me the prettiest girl you got (like your model for instance) and a flashlight, and I can turn her into a Halloween horror by having her place it under her chin. That said... Umbrellas are my preferred and it's what my mentor, Barry Druxman (MM #2484 and out your way in Woodland Hills) uses and for good reason... his work says it all. Thanks for a masterful tutorial and looking forward in going through the rest of your videos very soon!
I was very sceptical about umbrellas, but since I got one.......... I shoot only with it and I love it. In combination with defuser it´s such a beautiful light. Great video btw :).
Wow that's great to hear Boris! I'd love to see some of your images. Tag me on Instagram @TheSlantedLens so I can check them out. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :)
Typically I do video but typically I don't do much since I'm just still getting started and up and running business wise but I've been getting a lot of photography work and need to up my photo kit unlike my video lights which don't get as much use. I'm thinking of getting a large 65" umbrella for one of my B10's to help with quick, even and soft lighting for indoor group photos of HS sports teams. I feel like it's the easiest route to go and like I said they have to be quick. The schools aren't giving you all day to model with the students even if they want to, and they typically do with me. I've seen some examples doing just what I'm planning so I think it's a good choice to quickly light everyone evenly and not have to spend time setting up a larger soft box.
great stuff! I own just one 60x60 softbox as mainly use umbrellas, small and very large, shoot thru and reflective - and just got today to try out a reflective umbrella with a cover on it should make things a bit smoother still!
That's awesome! Yes that would make for a smooth look for sure. Tag me in your photos on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to see your work! @theslantedlens :)
Thanks a lot for this important and informative video about a very underrated type of light modifier, well done ! I`m an ambitious hobby photographer and a hobby "strobist" since the 1980s and I`m always using speedlites for nearly 80% of my photography under all conditions I like to use normal shoot-through umbrellas either with my speedlites next to my beloved metal beauty dish, I have no softboxes and I don`t miss them so far ... BUT if I want to avoid that the light goes everywhere I cover or wrap the entire construction (umbrella + speedlite) with light-proof black fabric and leave only a part of the umbrella free to transform the umbrella into a "softbox", maybe with the small flash diffusor cap on the head of the speedlite which comes with most speedlites ... maybe you have to attach a light rod from the upper edge of the umbrella to the head of the speedlite to prevent the fabric from shading or blocking the flashing light ... works fine for me and especially in small spaces with bright walls and ceiling around ... and this "construction" is very handy and very usefull if you have no "real" softbox available or if you`re on a budget for full length portraits I use two shoot-through umbrellas with the same light stand, one attached on top as normal and the second one attached with a Manfrotto Cold Shoe Spring Clamp in the middle of the stand, both speedlites in the same group and triggered and controlled as one, if needed I`m using two of these constructions, one on each side of the model, one as main light / key light and the other one only to brighten up shadows
Another great video J.P. I haven't ventured into the world of Softbox and I'm not too sure if I need to. So far umbrellas have worked alright for me. I like the effect of natural lighting they provide. Keep up the great work and thank you for your time😁👍
Thank you so much, Allen! That's totally alright. Umbrellas will serve you well for many years and if they fit your style best, why switch?! Thanks so much for the encouragement and for being a part of the TSL fam. Tag me in some of your images on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to see what you're working on. @theslantedlens
Umbrellas are the perfect answer for outdoor lighting in sunlight and overcast. Use umbrellas to to follow the light. * Ambient rim lighting can be extended with an umbrella and strobe. * Flag or diffuse the umbrella and strobe over the point of the sun.
umbrellas are awesome i have all kinds of lighting boxs dishes grids n stuff ! but an umbrella goes in a backpack tripod bag , to narrow the throw bounce light off it , good for outdoors in mountains where carrying extra crud is a pain in the neck litterally ! , plain white please , to increase to affect of moonlight on long exposures ,
I bring one on every shoot though sometimes I don't use them. I have a shoot on Saturday and I'm leaving the 24x32 inch softbox and 12 x 36-inch stip-bank at home and going with umbrellas.
Oh nice! I think that'll be a great test to really see if your umbrellas could be a better choice than the softboxes. Tag me in the photos from that shoot. I'd love to see how it turns out. @theslantedlens
I haven't forgotten umbrellas, I used two of them last week. And Annie Leibovitz would be nobody without her Softlighter which is just an umbrella with a diffuser on the front.
Very interesting and informative video. I'm curious to know which Godox light you used in this video and at what power level were you shooting? Thanks in advance...
We used the AD400. But I think the Westcott FJ400 is a better platform. www.fjwestcott.com/fj400-strobe-400ws-with-ac-dc-battery?acc=d09bf41544a3365a46c9077ebb5e35c3
@The Slanted Lens Thank you for sharing this ;-) QUICK QUESTION: I want to have a good versatile modifier to use for branding photoshoots indoor and in dfferent environments. It has to catch the person and the environment/room (not necessarily the entire room but like for instance a ceramist working in her workspace - close ups and full body + a bit of environmen.). I have already a white shoot-through umbrella around 100 cm and a Godox 120 cm octabox. I am considering getting a 135/150 cm white interior bounce umbrella (doin't know what it's called but where the flash is pointing in to the umbrella and not towards the model) with diffusion since I have an idea this would spread the light better than the two options I have now and use for other purposes. What are your thoughts? For lights I have 1 Godox AD 600B + 1 Godox AD200.
If you want the light to spread more, probably a larger umbrella. Take a look at these videos: th-cam.com/video/eHfKTPmlGOk/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/imuX_ZNq_LA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing this. What about a 30" reflector umbrella + diffusion? Not sure what is it exactly called, umbrellas softbox? Would it get better light quality, with less space? I am new to lighting. I noticed in a lot videos with regard to continuous LED lighting, people just throw on all kinds of softbox with bare LEDG lights. Why not put on the reflector which can generate lot of light and use an umbrella softbox? There might be some limitations I don't know, or that layer of diffusion doesn't help much?
It is an equivalent of a double diffusion.You have a bounced light with a diffusion in front of it. I find the loss of intensity is too diffused. But some people love it.
@@TheSlantedLens Thanks for your kind help. I guess I was confused by the lux you can get when you have a reflector on the LED light. In many cases, the output is triple of the bare LED light. So with this much light, doesn't an umbrella softbox always have advantage over a regular softbox? More lux, but same soft light. I probably missed something important.
Hi TSL fam! Does your studio lighting suck? Have you tried using umbrellas for photoshoots? So many questions! Answer mine and I'll be here to answer yours! - Jay P
Here is an interesting note: With strong light sources coming from one side I have noticed repeatedly that one of the subject's eyes (the one opposite to the light source) drifts so their eyes point in different directions. You can see that effect in most of these (but I believe more prominently in 3:48 than 7:55) - I believe there is some fascinating biological explanation for that, but for now it's just a fascinating observation I've made on several occasions. Wow, I love how these shoot throughs soften the specular highlight on the forehead.
Could you please help me to choose? Im just a beginner. I have a crop camera, and just bought a light 300w light. Want to take some pictures of my familly. Or film a interview for two people sitting next to each other. As i have a crop camera- i get less light in. Should i take silver umbrella then? But also if i put on diffuser on silver umbrella as i want a softer light - How much f stop i loose with or without diffuser? Maybe i should go for white reflective umbrella then? A bit confused and cant find an answer
I would get the white shoot through umbrella. It will give you a beautiful soft light. And if you needed to you can turn it around and bounce it to make it even softer.
Hi I have an AD400Pro, what would be the best reflector to have on it, when using it with the umbrella? The one that comes built in or something that looks more like what's in your video or something else?
Hi Jay, I have a quick question. I'm an amateur photographer starting to dabble in studio lighting. Which one would you recommend for starters: a black and white reflective parabolic umbrella with diffusion cover or a white diffusion parabolic umbrella?
@@TheSlantedLens Thanks Jay P. I think we're about the same age. I wished I had a chance to assist you when I lived in Los Angeles back in the 80s! Keep up the great information!
I love my umbrellas and use them all the time in my little portable studio. When I'm in a professional studio I'm lost trying to use any other light. When I ask anybody to tell me if my photos were taken in my little portable studio or a professional studio they can't tell the difference.
It would be just as easy to use as a soft box but both modifiers take up quite a bit of space. It just depends on how you are going to use them, but it would certainly work.
I'd call the results he's getting acceptable but a bit flat for my own taste, which runs toward Rembrandt lighting. All I can say is the first time I used a grid I felt like I finally had the directionality and control I wanted. I may do some more experimenting at home but I probably won't be using shoot-throughs at least much for portraits any more-too much spillage. If you can't control the light you're not really lighting, is how I see it.
Great video! Have you had a chance to work with silver parabolic modifiers? Once you try a para in a de-focused head position - you will never want to use a regular umbrella again :)
@@TheSlantedLens Yes, check it out... They are quite expensive (the Para 133 is over $3k), but the light is very unique. It's very 3D-looking, with high micro contrast revealing lots of fine details, and no hot spots (it looks like a huge ring light if flooded). Soft and specular / contrasty in the same time. You won't get it from anything else. There is a cheaper alternative - Parabolix. If you have tons of ca$h - you may consider Briese as well.
Umbrellas suck if you're in a cramped room with white walls. Light bounces everywhere and your control is limited. Definitely useful but more limited than say, softboxes. Also, umbrellas are quite restricted in shape, meaning that you can't have a perfectly round or rectangular reflection in a product/eye.
But the 70" umbrella linked costs over $4k! For the price of it on B&H, you could get over 200 of the 40" umbrellas. It does make a great soft picture though.
The bigger the umbrella the harder it is to manufacture. The bigger they get the more prone they are to breaking.There are a lot more rods in those giant suckers and they have to be a lot more durable than the smaller ones. You can find some for a little over $100, but you also have to realize that they are not going to be NEARLY as durable as the more expensive ones. If you only plan on using it once or twice and throwing it in a closet, then I'd say go for the cheaper option. But if this is something you are planning on using day in and day out you really want to make that investment on something that will hold up.
other photographers camera settings aren`t so important when using flash because those settings depend on the current situation and the flash gear you`re using, make test shots without the flash first with any manual camera settings you like or need, your aim is to always get a black image no matter which settings so that the flash is the only light source, don`t forget the sync speed of your camera, chose a shutter speed one or two steps longer so that possible delays in the flash radio trigger system don`t interfere, then add the flash to light your subject, you might need a few test shots with different flash power output settings (Flash Exposure Compensation) until you`re satisfied with the result - if you want use the lowest ISO depending on your camera to avoid visible noise, camera`s WB Auto or Flash mode
JAY help me! My mini studio is in my garage, right? Problem is. I rent, and the garage walls are brown....I can't paint my walls white or anything, what are my options to get correct color exposure when using flash? :(((
The easiest thing to do is go to Amazon and buy an inexpensive black or white drop. It has a sleeve to put a conduit pipe through it and you can use stands or put a bracket on the wall.
The principle to understand is that you want the light to cover the entire umbrella and not spill outside the umbrella. You accomplish this by moving the umbrella closer or further from the strobe head.
Great video, your umbrella videos always remind me WHY in the world am I carrying all of this stuff(large soft boxes) on jobs when umbrella will do the job, thanks so much
Haha! It's true that large softboxes are a lot trickier to carry around. Both are good options, but try out an umbrella soon and let me know how it goes! Tag me on instagram so I can see your images. :) @TheSlantedLens
BEST umbrella tutorial I've ever seen! Thanks so much for this!
Dennis Peterson happy to hear that Dennis! Thanks for being a part of the TSL fam!
I use shoot thru umbrellas for group shoots out of the studio. easy to set up. even light across the group. Thanks for sharing
This is seriously legit. I'd only considered umbrellas when I want flat even lighting everywhere, like in certain commercial jobs. But this is a great primer on how to use them to sculpt lighting the way I would normally do with softboxes and other more directional modifiers. This is great because there's one advantage to umbrellas that you didn't mention: they're very quick to set up. So this will help when I'm pressed for time, and don't want to waste any of it pitching tents on the set.
Wow I watched sooo many lighting videos this was the BEST & easy example straight to the point with examples side by side I finally understand thank you ❤
Great to hear. You might like some of our laws of light videos. Here is a link: studio.th-cam.com/channels/UbAIlQq6qdOCW7nURh9Qog.htmlvideos/upload?filter=%5B%7B%22name%22%3A%22TITLE%22%2C%22value%22%3A%7B%22name%22%3A%22CONTAINS%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22laws%20of%20light%22%7D%7D%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
Love this video...its so true people start with umbrellas then forget about them as they move to soft boxes (thats me) but recently started using them again. They are great light modifiers. Thanks for another superb video.
Love my umbrellas-portable/versatile/cheap! One hint- you will get a wider light spread by using a different reflector on your strobe- the 'standard' that you had on limits the light spread too much for the 70" (necessitating you having someone hold the umbrella- not very practical!)- I use a wider angle reflector for that reason with umbrellas....
Or bare bulb.
@@hermansurkis9229 No, I used a bare bulb once when I forgot to hook up my reflector & it was disastrous- the light escape the umbrella & the 180 degree light-spread created odd concentric lighting effects- Don’t do it!!
Great reminder of why umbrellas are so versatile and useful. I routinely combine umbrellaed lights WITH softboxed lights to take advantage of their characteristics. Also, umbrellas with front diffusers give you some of the added control of a softbox with umbrella versatility and cost. Great video, thanks J.P.
Ah yes! Front defusers make a great difference. What style/type of images are you usually taking when using umbrellas and softboxes? I'd love to see your work Karl. Tag me in some images on Instagram or Facebook so I can check them out. :) @theslantedlens
@@TheSlantedLens I'm usually shooting portrait or lifestyle with umbrellas. A common mix is to key with the SB and fill with a huge umbrella, but I sometimes use a diffused umbrella for Rembrandt cross light. My website is karlshreeves.zenfolio.com; the main page shows portraits, with other public-access galleries through a folder through the bottom of the page, and my somewhat neglected blog . Thanks for replying to my reply.
Great video. I use a 70" on a separate stand from the light, otherwise it wants to tip everything over because the center of gravity isn't over the shaft of the stand, even with a large stand. Takes up a little more space and requires another stand, but I don't worry as much about it falling over.
Oooo that's clever! Stuff falling over on set is never a fun time, so that's definitely a good move. I'll have to try that soon. Thanks! :)
@@TheSlantedLens More than a little extra space, but great idea.
you can narrow by partially closing the umbrella. that is what photographers like Joe McNally did. Westcott also offers umbrella with cover that you use the limit the spread of light
Nice video. One thing about a shoot through is that it's easier the umbrella closer to the subject than a bounce umbrella, just because of the umbrella shaft direction of the shoot through is pointing away from the subject.
Frank Woodbery great point Frank!
I love shooting with umbrellas. When I am on a ediorial shoot with a client, it is like having a portable window with you. Looks totally natural and you get perfect light every time
Always learn so much from Jay P! He is always so clear and concise, and the SUPER HELPFUL comparison shots really illustrate differences. Thank You!
My pleasure! I appreciate your feedback. Thank you!
I admire her keeping the lovely smile all the way through ❤
Yeah, she was great to work with!
Regan is so cute and gorgeous! 😍
Yeah...
So grateful for this channel. I recently graduated from art school (not for film, but I dabble in it) and I’m currently starting my first ever project without access to my school’s photo department & all its equipment. So great to see what I can do for cheap & how to do it instead of thinking I can’t do anything without replicating the expensive collection of equipment at college.
That is great to hear. You also might like some of our DIY videos: th-cam.com/users/TheSlantedLenssearch?view_as=subscriber&query=diy
oh my gosh she is ADORABLE
Thank you for watching. Keep on clickin!
The one CRITICAL thing not discussed or tested is the distance of the umbrella to the subject: think inverse square law. I find the distance more important kind of umbrella material. A large (70") shoot thru as close as possible to the subject is just about as soft and flattering as it gets: nothing beats a big, bank of light close to the subject.
Great point! Thanks for sharing!
Tons of thanks for these tips! Helped me to decide to go for the umbrellas - soft wide-spread light is exactly what I need.
Glad I could help! Thanks for your comment!
One of the better videos..I have been struggling with controlling over spill of light on subject and background!!
Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!
Umbrellas are good for time-constraint location photography, such as a wedding or family shoot in the park. Chuck a Godox magnetic head speedlite on a stand with a dome diffuser and shoot it into an umbrella. You don't want the couple and everyone to have to wait for you to set up your giant octobox. Speed is essential as you are providing an experience for them, not just nice pictures.
Excellent point. Thanks for sharing!
Really useful, thanks Jay P!
You got it, Curtis! Thanks for being so quick to watch the vid! Any video requests for TSL in 2020?
@@TheSlantedLens Perhaps a look at various ways to use rim and hair lighting to add more dimension. Specifically, I'm finding that there is a huge difference between using hard and soft sources of light for rim/hair lighting. Would love to get your take on that.
@@curtisjudd Great topic choice! I'd love to learn more about that myself! I'll add this to the list and hope to have a video covering this in the new year. Thanks so much!
As an umbrella fan I have to say this is one of the best video's explaining the goods and bads of umbrellas and the difference between fabrics and shooting inside and through them.
Chapeau and thanks for sharing.
RS wow I’m so happy to hear this!! Really glad you appreciated and agree with the video. Keep on clickin!
Very helpful tutorial on umbrellas. Thanks!
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you...best explanation on umbrella lighting. Love the comparison of the different types 👌👏👍😍
Glad you liked it!! Thanks for watching!
And I need to add a very important comment.
Excellent tutorial, as ALWAYS.
great video. i particularly like the side by side comparisons. it's amazing to see the difference
Thanks for your feedback and thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for the side by side comparison - so helpful!
Glad you found it helpful!
My favorite channel. I love umbrellas but may get a soft box to experiment.
Sounds like a good plan. We appreciate your support!
"#4: They're smaaaall!" He say's with a 7ft. umbrella behind him. Lol
😂
I've been using umbrellas and getting harsh lighting on people's skin (shiny skin with pores way too visible), and I couldn't figure out why for the longest time. 2:51 really explained that for me. Such an easy thing to get wrong. Glad I found this video!
So good to hear. Glad you found the video helpful!
Thanks for the tutorials. Very helpful!
You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful!
Great video as always.. love the way you explain and show the results.. thanks for all the tips and info you kindly share.. jp
John Parish thank you so much Josh. Really glad you enjoyed it!
I am a new photographer and I really enjoy and learn a ton from your videos and they always make me laugh! Thank you for your time!!
Great to hear! Glad you appreciate the humor!
I didn't expect the shoot-through umbrella to be more directional than the white interior!
Yep! Just full of surprises over here!
I only just now discovered your channel and subscribed as I LOVE your breakdown on this.
As someone who has done his 10,000+ hours (more like 20,000+) I often shoot with an on camera flash or none at all, or even one umbrella and people ask, "How do you shoot without a ton of lights?" I laugh and ask them, "Do you like Sunrise and Sunsets?" They always nod or say yes. "How many light sources does God use? One, the Sun. Think of me as God with a camera". They laugh but that's just it. We ONLY shoot reflected light, we can't see anything (because it's refracted too when it hits the back of our eye). Red ring L series glass, yeah, the extra stops help, but you give me the prettiest girl you got (like your model for instance) and a flashlight, and I can turn her into a Halloween horror by having her place it under her chin.
That said... Umbrellas are my preferred and it's what my mentor, Barry Druxman (MM #2484 and out your way in Woodland Hills) uses and for good reason... his work says it all.
Thanks for a masterful tutorial and looking forward in going through the rest of your videos very soon!
Very excellent comment! And good reference to the Sun. Thanks for sharing!
This is so helpful, thank you! Love the comparisons
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for sharing!
I use the Westcott 7 Feet Silver Parabolic Umbrella with diffuser all the time.
Great video! Any info on that black/white flag you are using at 2:22 ?
I was very sceptical about umbrellas, but since I got one.......... I shoot only with it and I love it. In combination with defuser it´s such a beautiful light. Great video btw :).
Wow that's great to hear Boris! I'd love to see some of your images. Tag me on Instagram @TheSlantedLens so I can check them out. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :)
@@TheSlantedLens Wow really? I will tag you and I appreciate it very much. Thank you!
Typically I do video but typically I don't do much since I'm just still getting started and up and running business wise but I've been getting a lot of photography work and need to up my photo kit unlike my video lights which don't get as much use. I'm thinking of getting a large 65" umbrella for one of my B10's to help with quick, even and soft lighting for indoor group photos of HS sports teams. I feel like it's the easiest route to go and like I said they have to be quick. The schools aren't giving you all day to model with the students even if they want to, and they typically do with me. I've seen some examples doing just what I'm planning so I think it's a good choice to quickly light everyone evenly and not have to spend time setting up a larger soft box.
That is a great option, goes up fast and gives you a large soft light!
great stuff! I own just one 60x60 softbox as mainly use umbrellas, small and very large, shoot thru and reflective - and just got today to try out a reflective umbrella with a cover on it should make things a bit smoother still!
That's awesome! Yes that would make for a smooth look for sure. Tag me in your photos on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to see your work! @theslantedlens :)
@@TheSlantedLens cool yes i did the shoot and tagged you in case you get time to take a look!
Perfect explained and very helpfull as well. Thanks for your effort. I directly subscribed ... 👍
Thanks for the sub! Appreciate your support!
obrigada e parabéns pela animação. kisses from Brazil
Obrigado e obrigado por assistir!
Thanks a lot for this important and informative video about a very underrated type of light modifier, well done !
I`m an ambitious hobby photographer and a hobby "strobist" since the 1980s and I`m always using speedlites for nearly 80% of my photography under all conditions
I like to use normal shoot-through umbrellas either with my speedlites next to my beloved metal beauty dish, I have no softboxes and I don`t miss them so far ... BUT if I want to avoid that the light goes everywhere I cover or wrap the entire construction (umbrella + speedlite) with light-proof black fabric and leave only a part of the umbrella free to transform the umbrella into a "softbox", maybe with the small flash diffusor cap on the head of the speedlite which comes with most speedlites ... maybe you have to attach a light rod from the upper edge of the umbrella to the head of the speedlite to prevent the fabric from shading or blocking the flashing light ... works fine for me and especially in small spaces with bright walls and ceiling around ... and this "construction" is very handy and very usefull if you have no "real" softbox available or if you`re on a budget
for full length portraits I use two shoot-through umbrellas with the same light stand, one attached on top as normal and the second one attached with a Manfrotto Cold Shoe Spring Clamp in the middle of the stand, both speedlites in the same group and triggered and controlled as one, if needed I`m using two of these constructions, one on each side of the model, one as main light / key light and the other one only to brighten up shadows
Thanks for sharing your work approach!
@@TheSlantedLens My pleasure !
Another great video J.P. I haven't ventured into the world of Softbox and I'm not too sure if I need to. So far umbrellas have worked alright for me. I like the effect of natural lighting they provide. Keep up the great work and thank you for your time😁👍
Thank you so much, Allen! That's totally alright. Umbrellas will serve you well for many years and if they fit your style best, why switch?! Thanks so much for the encouragement and for being a part of the TSL fam. Tag me in some of your images on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to see what you're working on. @theslantedlens
Umbrellas are the perfect answer for outdoor lighting in sunlight and overcast. Use umbrellas to to follow the light.
* Ambient rim lighting can be extended with an umbrella and strobe.
* Flag or diffuse the umbrella and strobe over the point of the sun.
Good points. Thanks for sharing!
one of the best tutorials on the subject of umbrellas :D
umbrellas are awesome i have all kinds of lighting boxs dishes grids n stuff ! but an umbrella goes in a backpack tripod bag , to narrow the throw bounce light off it , good for outdoors in mountains where carrying extra crud is a pain in the neck litterally ! , plain white please , to increase to affect of moonlight on long exposures ,
Sounds like a great plan! Thanks for your tips!
I bring one on every shoot though sometimes I don't use them. I have a shoot on Saturday and I'm leaving the 24x32 inch softbox and 12 x 36-inch stip-bank at home and going with umbrellas.
Oh nice! I think that'll be a great test to really see if your umbrellas could be a better choice than the softboxes. Tag me in the photos from that shoot. I'd love to see how it turns out. @theslantedlens
I haven't forgotten umbrellas, I used two of them last week. And Annie Leibovitz would be nobody without her Softlighter which is just an umbrella with a diffuser on the front.
Thanks for bigging up umbrellas!
Any time! They are a great tool for lighting!
Awesome, How can I rig it to the stand without using the flash, because I want to use it in exterior shooting to soften harsh sunlight
You might be interested in this video about using the umbrella in the bright sun: th-cam.com/video/imuX_ZNq_LA/w-d-xo.html
I love umbrellas there inexpensive easy to setup ,transport
Me to. One of my favorite lighting set ups is shooting through a 6 foot umbrella. Glad you liked it. 👌
Very interesting and informative video. I'm curious to know which Godox light you used in this video and at what power level were you shooting? Thanks in advance...
We used the AD400. But I think the Westcott FJ400 is a better platform. www.fjwestcott.com/fj400-strobe-400ws-with-ac-dc-battery?acc=d09bf41544a3365a46c9077ebb5e35c3
Now that's a wondrous video!!!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.
I like the look of the shoot throughs. Thoughts on shoot throughs vs soft box? Thanks JP
@The Slanted Lens Thank you for sharing this ;-) QUICK QUESTION: I want to have a good versatile modifier to use for branding photoshoots indoor and in dfferent environments. It has to catch the person and the environment/room (not necessarily the entire room but like for instance a ceramist working in her workspace - close ups and full body + a bit of environmen.). I have already a white shoot-through umbrella around 100 cm and a Godox 120 cm octabox. I am considering getting a 135/150 cm white interior bounce umbrella (doin't know what it's called but where the flash is pointing in to the umbrella and not towards the model) with diffusion since I have an idea this would spread the light better than the two options I have now and use for other purposes. What are your thoughts? For lights I have 1 Godox AD 600B + 1 Godox AD200.
If you want the light to spread more, probably a larger umbrella. Take a look at these videos: th-cam.com/video/eHfKTPmlGOk/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/imuX_ZNq_LA/w-d-xo.html
That was very informative! Well done.
Thank you! :)
slam dunk! I had to stop to give you thumbs-up just off your title. Great job...
Great video as everyone stated prior! Thank you so much!
fmrff70 thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it! :)
Thanks for sharing this. What about a 30" reflector umbrella + diffusion? Not sure what is it exactly called, umbrellas softbox? Would it get better light quality, with less space? I am new to lighting. I noticed in a lot videos with regard to continuous LED lighting, people just throw on all kinds of softbox with bare LEDG lights. Why not put on the reflector which can generate lot of light and use an umbrella softbox? There might be some limitations I don't know, or that layer of diffusion doesn't help much?
It is an equivalent of a double diffusion.You have a bounced light with a diffusion in front of it. I find the loss of intensity is too diffused. But some people love it.
@@TheSlantedLens Thanks for your kind help. I guess I was confused by the lux you can get when you have a reflector on the LED light. In many cases, the output is triple of the bare LED light. So with this much light, doesn't an umbrella softbox always have advantage over a regular softbox? More lux, but same soft light. I probably missed something important.
How about group portraits with shoot through? Since they throw the light everywhere. Any advice on lighting ratios doing such?
Hi TSL fam! Does your studio lighting suck? Have you tried using umbrellas for photoshoots? So many questions! Answer mine and I'll be here to answer yours! - Jay P
Question. Can you use the black side of a black umbrella as a flag?
Here is an interesting note: With strong light sources coming from one side I have noticed repeatedly that one of the subject's eyes (the one opposite to the light source) drifts so their eyes point in different directions. You can see that effect in most of these (but I believe more prominently in 3:48 than 7:55) - I believe there is some fascinating biological explanation for that, but for now it's just a fascinating observation I've made on several occasions.
Wow, I love how these shoot throughs soften the specular highlight on the forehead.
That is an interesting observation. Thanks for sharing!
Great advice, thank you and greetings from Puerto Rico!
Didimio Rios thanks so much! Greetings from LA!
Could you please help me to choose? Im just a beginner. I have a crop camera, and just bought a light 300w light. Want to take some pictures of my familly. Or film a interview for two people sitting next to each other. As i have a crop camera- i get less light in. Should i take silver umbrella then? But also if i put on diffuser on silver umbrella as i want a softer light - How much f stop i loose with or without diffuser? Maybe i should go for white reflective umbrella then? A bit confused and cant find an answer
I would get the white shoot through umbrella. It will give you a beautiful soft light. And if you needed to you can turn it around and bounce it to make it even softer.
Hi I have an AD400Pro, what would be the best reflector to have on it, when using it with the umbrella? The one that comes built in or something that looks more like what's in your video or something else?
A 7" reflector is what is best. It is deep enough to cut the light from spilling out of the umbrella.
Would a diffuser on the front be the same a shoot thru umbrella?
It is a very similar look but it is a double bounce so it will be much softer.
Have you tried a different reflector, like the Cheetahstand 'Hubcap' to help fill the entire area of larger umbrellas?
Oh I’ll have to check that out! Thanks Jared!
Hi Jay, I have a quick question. I'm an amateur photographer starting to dabble in studio lighting. Which one would you recommend for starters: a black and white reflective parabolic umbrella with diffusion cover or a white diffusion parabolic umbrella?
black and white reflective parabolic umbrella with diffusion cover, gives great results.
@@milindkulkarni9156, thank you !
Brilliant video once again!
Sabe Syed thank you!
Great example comparisons!
Thank you. Glad you liked it!
@@TheSlantedLens Thanks Jay P. I think we're about the same age. I wished I had a chance to assist you when I lived in Los Angeles back in the 80s! Keep up the great information!
I love my umbrellas and use them all the time in my little portable studio. When I'm in a professional studio I'm lost trying to use any other light.
When I ask anybody to tell me if my photos were taken in my little portable studio or a professional studio they can't tell the difference.
Wow, I would love to see your little portable studio. Send us some photos!
What's the difference between black silver coated and white umbrellas
Silver gives you almost a stop more light than white and it is a bit more directional and a little harder light.
I’m conflicted cuz I want the white umbrella but a silver one would be perfect too 😢
What do you want more, softer or harder light? That should help you decide.
is it worth it to use them at wedding receptions? using the reflective ones?
It would be just as easy to use as a soft box but both modifiers take up quite a bit of space. It just depends on how you are going to use them, but it would certainly work.
I'd call the results he's getting acceptable but a bit flat for my own taste, which runs toward Rembrandt lighting. All I can say is the first time I used a grid I felt like I finally had the directionality and control I wanted. I may do some more experimenting at home but I probably won't be using shoot-throughs at least much for portraits any more-too much spillage. If you can't control the light you're not really lighting, is how I see it.
Thank you
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
I started doing, closing the umbrella so it narrows down the beam of light, simulating harder light/snooted light...
Is there something you don’t know??! 😂 you are the Master
Great video! Have you had a chance to work with silver parabolic modifiers? Once you try a para in a de-focused head position - you will never want to use a regular umbrella again :)
y0utube5uxx oooo interesting! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
@@TheSlantedLens Yes, check it out... They are quite expensive (the Para 133 is over $3k), but the light is very unique. It's very 3D-looking, with high micro contrast revealing lots of fine details, and no hot spots (it looks like a huge ring light if flooded). Soft and specular / contrasty in the same time. You won't get it from anything else. There is a cheaper alternative - Parabolix. If you have tons of ca$h - you may consider Briese as well.
also, in winter, they keep you DRY, ie: shade you from the rain outside, or in Summer, from the harsh sunlight.
LOL, that is another use, maybe not rain with the photo umbrellas.
Didn’t know that silver umbrellas are more directional by nature 😲☂️
It is good to know. Thanks for watching.
Umbrellas suck if you're in a cramped room with white walls. Light bounces everywhere and your control is limited. Definitely useful but more limited than say, softboxes. Also, umbrellas are quite restricted in shape, meaning that you can't have a perfectly round or rectangular reflection in a product/eye.
But the 70" umbrella linked costs over $4k! For the price of it on B&H, you could get over 200 of the 40" umbrellas. It does make a great soft picture though.
The bigger the umbrella the harder it is to manufacture. The bigger they get the more prone they are to breaking.There are a lot more rods in those giant suckers and they have to be a lot more durable than the smaller ones. You can find some for a little over $100, but you also have to realize that they are not going to be NEARLY as durable as the more expensive ones. If you only plan on using it once or twice and throwing it in a closet, then I'd say go for the cheaper option. But if this is something you are planning on using day in and day out you really want to make that investment on something that will hold up.
You did not display your camera settings ..can you provide the numbers ..thanks
other photographers camera settings aren`t so important when using flash because those settings depend on the current situation and the flash gear you`re using, make test shots without the flash first with any manual camera settings you like or need, your aim is to always get a black image no matter which settings so that the flash is the only light source, don`t forget the sync speed of your camera, chose a shutter speed one or two steps longer so that possible delays in the flash radio trigger system don`t interfere, then add the flash to light your subject, you might need a few test shots with different flash power output settings (Flash Exposure Compensation) until you`re satisfied with the result - if you want use the lowest ISO depending on your camera to avoid visible noise, camera`s WB Auto or Flash mode
Why you dont take out sile
JAY help me!
My mini studio is in my garage, right? Problem is. I rent, and the garage walls are brown....I can't paint my walls white or anything, what are my options to get correct color exposure when using flash? :(((
Cheap mobile background system plus some bed sheets ;)
@@lukash.5079 I mean I have a 107” background.
I guess it’s time I start taping paper on the walls I guess.
@@Adrian-wd4rn Just make sure to tape it down on the bottom, otherwise it will look junky...
The easiest thing to do is go to Amazon and buy an inexpensive black or white drop. It has a sleeve to put a conduit pipe through it and you can use stands or put a bracket on the wall.
Thank you :)
You are welcome! Thanks for watching!
SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST VIDEOS
நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR- INDIA,* CHENNAI
Thank you! Have a great week!
You guys are awesome
Thank you! I appreciate that!
What type of reflector is that
I use the sun-bounce mini reflector. It is flat and creates a great fill light.
You can put a grid on an umbrella.Try !
Interesting. Thank you for sharing!
The reflector on the flash must be smaller when using umbrellas
The principle to understand is that you want the light to cover the entire umbrella and not spill outside the umbrella. You accomplish this by moving the umbrella closer or further from the strobe head.
💙 💌 Lovely video. Congrats! 💚 💟
Thank you 🤗Have a great week!
Great video, your umbrella videos always remind me WHY in the world am I carrying all of this stuff(large soft boxes) on jobs when umbrella will do the job, thanks so much
Haha! It's true that large softboxes are a lot trickier to carry around. Both are good options, but try out an umbrella soon and let me know how it goes! Tag me on instagram so I can see your images. :) @TheSlantedLens
Wasn't that a Tamron SP 85mm or 45mm prime? 🤔
Its the Tamron 85mm 1.8.
So which one would you buy first?
I would buy a 32" white with black backing for control. bhpho.to/3e0izQJ