Mine's bigger than yours???

[BuS_RiDeR]

This might seem like a stupid question... But I've always gone by the rule of thumb... A stupid question is one that is not asked.

I must be looking in the wrong places... Cause I can't find a straight forward answer.

What is the difference/benefit of a larger umbrella?

I've seen them from 32" and up...

 

[MohaimenK]

larger light source vs smaller light source

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

larger light source vs smaller light source

Even though the actual light source is the same?

I was never good at math... But it would seem to me that a bigger umbrella... Assuming the light source remains the same, would give off less light?

 

[Bram]

Area effected by the light. Smaller umbrella = less area covered, larger umbrella = more light spread.

 

[Derrel]

Smaller umbrellas, like 32's, act as "harder" light sources in normal use, compared with bigger 45 to 60 inch models. For photos that are going to be converted to monochrome, the smaller umbrellas actually give a slightly crisper, harder-edged look that I find more appropriate for B&W photos, where SHADOWS and highlights are more important tha n when there are color cues present.

In smaller locations, like low-ceilinged garages, apartments, etc with 8-foot ceilings, it can be quite difficult to deploy larger 45 to 60 inch brollies at the heights you might like to. Larger umbrellas, like 45's and 60's are TOO big to "fill" when using the majority of speedlight flash units with the flash positioned optimally.

Using a shoot-through umbrella in the new-fangled "web way" with the flash choked wayyyyyyy down close to the umbrella surface makes it almost useless to shoot with a 45 inch brolly...the light is coming through basically 18 inches,so you might just as well use 30 to 32's if you're gonna' choke the flash wayyyyy down to within 8 inches of the inner surface when using a shoot-through.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Smaller umbrellas, like 32's, act as "harder" light sources in normal use, compared with bigger 45 to 60 inch models. For photos that are going to be converted to monochrome, the smaller umbrellas actually give a slightly crisper, harder-edged look that I find more appropriate for B&W photos, where SHADOWS and highlights are more important tha n when there are color cues present.

In smaller locations, like low-ceilinged garages, apartments, etc with 8-foot ceilings, it can be quite difficult to deploy larger 45 to 60 inch brollies at the heights you might like to. Larger umbrellas, like 45's and 60's are TOO big to "fill" when using the majority of speedlight flash units with the flash positioned optimally.

Using a shoot-through umbrella in the new-fangled "web way" with the flash choked wayyyyyyy down close to the umbrella surface makes it almost useless to shoot with a 45 inch brolly...the light is coming through basically 18 inches,so you might just as well use 30 to 32's if you're gonna' choke the flash wayyyyy down to within 8 inches of the inner surface when using a shoot-through.

Wikipedia? Ppfftt... Just ask Darell.

Thanks.

 

[KmH]

Umbrella (or softbox) size has to increase as more of a subject, or more subjects, will appear in a photo.

 

[kundalini]

Mine's bigger than yours???

Wow, I just had a very humorous NSFW image flash in my brain. Work in progress, details to be ironed out. Cheers for the accelerant.


Bigger modifier / light source = softer light.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

That is what the books have told me. :thumbup:

 

[BKMOOD]

Simply put: the larger the light source, the softer the light. The smaller the light source, the harsher the light.

Flash guns, for example, alone are a small light sources. That's why they're so freaking harsh. The sun, while huge, is 93 million miles away. To us, it is a small light source. It is a dot in the sky. That's why shadows in direct sun or so freaking harsh. Clouds defuse the sun. They create a large light source, thus soft light.

To soften light, you must turn it into a larger light source. We do this with umbrellas, reflectors, soft boxes, ceilings, whatever, to broaden the light source, thus softening it.

 

[Light Artisan]

Larger one keeps more rain off of you... duh.

By the way, BKMOOD - that was an excellent explanation, well done.

 

[clanthar]

Simply put: the larger the light source, the softer the light. The smaller the light source, the harsher the light.

Flash guns, for example, alone are a small light sources. That's why they're so freaking harsh. The sun, while huge, is 93 million miles away. To us, it is a small light source. It is a dot in the sky. That's why shadows in direct sun or so freaking harsh. Clouds defuse the sun. They create a large light source, thus soft light.

To soften light, you must turn it into a larger light source. We do this with umbrellas, reflectors, soft boxes, ceilings, whatever, to broaden the light source, thus softening it.

That's nailin' it. Lighting contrast is a direct function of the size of the light source.

Joe

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Thanks for the input folks.