first time using umbrellas / modifiers

[xzyragon]

Got to borrow a friend's umbrellas for a shoot last night. I haven't touched up his face yet, but it was fun to play around with the lighting and change it up. The photos were for an album cover, so I had to "recreate" the lighting that the other members used.

While we're on the subject, anyone have recommendations on a softbox kit for $100 to $150? I'd need everything but the strobe (I already have a strobe + receiver). Or a decent umbrella setup that wont break down on me.

Anyways, pics. CC away please!

IMG_5008 by christophercoxphoto, on Flickr

IMG_4992 by christophercoxphoto, on Flickr

IMG_4984 by christophercoxphoto, on Flickr

IMG_5014 by christophercoxphoto, on Flickr

 

[tirediron]

Not bad at all! It looks, based on the specular highlights, like your lights might have been a bit too far away, try bringing them in closer and dropping the power.

 

[xzyragon]

Not bad at all! It looks, based on the specular highlights, like your lights might have been a bit too far away, try bringing them in closer and dropping the power.

weird, i think the umbrella was 3 or 4 feet away from him. Considering I'm probably ordering a softbox or umbrella today, and I have a remote coming in the next couple of days, I'll get to try out a whole bunch of lighting stuff on myself

 

[D-B-J]

Photek softlighter! Works great with off camera strobes. I have both the 36" and 46". Will probably be getting a 60" soon. Simple, fold up small, and works really well.

Jake

 

[Derrel]

I've had some of these for years. The best of an umbrella, much of the essence of a softbox. Steve Kaeser Photographic Lighting

These produce a light quality similar to the Photek Softlighter mentioned above, although the Softlighter is MORE-rounded, and is the real leader in this field. The Steve Kaeser models are knock-offs, but are surprisingly well-made. Fit and finish is better than the Lastolite Umbrella Box, which I also own.

The specularity that Tirediron mentions makes me think that the umbrella used was a shoot-through; the shoot-through umbrella when used with a speedlight flash tend to have a VERY hot central area, and then very much lower-output edges, which creates this somewhat specular, hot reflection on the high points or oily or sweaty planes of the face. Using a dull-white interior, reflecting style umbrella, tends to eliminate that slight bit of specularity.

Keep in mind: a more-specular umbrella works wonderfully if the images will be converted to Black & White! When the color information is stripped away, a more-specular lighting source helps show the viewer shaping and dimensionality to a greater degree than a very diffused, flat lighting source.

 

[xzyragon]

I've had some of these for years. The best of an umbrella, much of the essence of a softbox. Steve Kaeser Photographic Lighting

The specularity that Tirediron mentions makes me think that the umbrella used was a shoot-through; the shoot-through umbrella when used with a speedlight flash tend to have a VERY hot central area, and then very much mower output edges, which creates this somewhat specular, hot reflection on the high points or oily or sweaty planes of the face. Using a dull-white interior, reflecting style umbrella, tends to eliminate that slight bit of specularity.

Keep in mind: a more-specular umbrella works wonderfully if the images will be converted to Black & White! When the color information is stripped away, a more-specular lighting source helps show the viewer shaping and dimensionality more than avery diffused, flat lighting source.

Spot on Derrel. We were using a 42"? shoot through umbrella. It didn't help that his chest was red, raw, and sweaty from a tattoo session a couple hours earlier.

I haven't even bothered converting to B&W because he needed a color image to match the rest of his band. I'll convert to B&W on some personal ones and see how they turn out

 

[astroNikon]

I've had some of these for years. The best of an umbrella, much of the essence of a softbox. Steve Kaeser Photographic Lighting

These produce a light quality similar to the Photek Softlighter mentioned above, although the Softlighter is MORE-rounded, and is the real leader in this field. The Steve Kaeser models are knock-offs, but are surprisingly well-made. Fit and finish is better than the Lastolite Umbrella Box, which I also own.

The Steve Kaesers are nice .. once I finally get my 2nd one. One came in broken, second came in oil stained. 3rd one on it's way. At least their Customer Service seems good for replacing damaged equipment

 

[xzyragon]

I've had some of these for years. The best of an umbrella, much of the essence of a softbox. Steve Kaeser Photographic Lighting

These produce a light quality similar to the Photek Softlighter mentioned above, although the Softlighter is MORE-rounded, and is the real leader in this field. The Steve Kaeser models are knock-offs, but are surprisingly well-made. Fit and finish is better than the Lastolite Umbrella Box, which I also own.

The Steve Kaesers are nice .. once I finally get my 2nd one. One came in broken, second came in oil stained. 3rd one on it's way. At least their Customer Service seems good for replacing damaged equipment

I just bought a couple off amazon. If anything, amazons customer service is nice enough to be safe if I have to return anything


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[TreeofLifeStairs]

The specularity that Tirediron mentions makes me think that the umbrella used was a shoot-through; the shoot-through umbrella when used with a speedlight flash tend to have a VERY hot central area, and then very much lower-output edges, which creates this somewhat specular, hot reflection on the high points or oily or sweaty planes of the face. Using a dull-white interior, reflecting style umbrella, tends to eliminate that slight bit of specularity.

The first time I shot with an umbrella I did exactly this. It wasn't until I flipped it around and used the reflected light that I got the softer light.

 

[astroNikon]

I've had some of these for years. The best of an umbrella, much of the essence of a softbox. Steve Kaeser Photographic Lighting

These produce a light quality similar to the Photek Softlighter mentioned above, although the Softlighter is MORE-rounded, and is the real leader in this field. The Steve Kaeser models are knock-offs, but are surprisingly well-made. Fit and finish is better than the Lastolite Umbrella Box, which I also own.

The Steve Kaesers are nice .. once I finally get my 2nd one. One came in broken, second came in oil stained. 3rd one on it's way. At least their Customer Service seems good for replacing damaged equipment

My 3rd one finally got here.
All looks fine with it too.
I ordered the 3rd one directly from the vendor Steve Kaeser as they can check it before they send it out.
Amazon shipped me a broken one, it was clearly used before.
But now all is good. It took over a month to clear everything up - August 23rd I made the order. Glad I didn't need them for a photoshoot.