The Umbrella Academy: Why every photographer should buy umbrellas!

In this video, I am going to share with you how umbrella types differ by comparing images from a recent test shoot and then I am going to share three ways you can use umbrellas in your work for years to come.

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Wether you're a beginning needing to buy your first lighting kit or a seasoned professional, you'll find these tips invaluable.

When I got my first set of lights in 1998, I started with two 75cm (30’) umbrellas. Back then, I used them for environmental portraits on location. One umbrella illuminated the room, and the other lit up the person's face. This simple approach marked the beginning of my lighting journey, and even after 25 years, I still use umbrellas and I probably have one with me on every shoot.

Umbrellas primarily come in two varieties – shallow and deep. Shallow umbrellas are said to produce soft light with widespread distribution, On the other hand, deep umbrellas are said to create more focused, high-contrast light, making them perfect for beauty and portraits. Each type has three variants: translucent, white, and silver. And all of them are ideal for quick setups. I personally like more contrast in my images so I currently use the deep variety

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Jerry Stevens
  / jerrystevensonphotography  

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Lighting
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ

Elinchrom Deep Umbrella (White, 41”)
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnv9Opt2j
Amazon https://amzn.to/2I9Kkql
B&H https://bhpho.to/41PO0Fb

Elinchrom 41" Deep Umbrella, Translucent
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dNhmDUkZ
B&H https://bhpho.to/47sQifM

Elinchrom 41" Deep Umbrella, Silver
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dPYxHUYG
B&H https://bhpho.to/3sGG9gH

Elinchrom Diffuser for 41" Deep Umbrella, Translucent
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dRdMTHhw
B&H https://bhpho.to/47sQifM

Elinchrom Diffuser for 41" Deep Umbrella, Black
Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dOckaQta
B&H https://bhpho.to/3R1G6W1

Elinchrom Rotalux 150cm Indirect Softbox
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmBqePP
Amazon https://amzn.to/44uSXVl
B&H https://bhpho.to/3M3NKwR

Kupo 40" Master C-Stand Kit with Turtle Base Kit
Adorama https://howl.me/ckrng8iYyzH
Amazon https://amzn.to/3YPVPtD
B&H https://bhpho.to/47OKQVB

Camera
Canon EOS R5
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWpm8UM
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vPGmeb
B&H https://bhpho.to/3VbPdUw

Canon BG-R10
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/2OUmRQY
B&H https://bhpho.to/3niVtNI

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWYcCHb
Amazon https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWOwhRU
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H https://bhpho.to/426bKEM

Video
Canon Cinema EOS C70
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkvy7X
B&H https://bhpho.to/44dCV23

Nanlite Compac 200B Adjustable Bicolor LED Panel
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFTJEu8k2N
Amazon https://amzn.to/3mXYzUP
Nanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/x93BBk
B&H https://bhpho.to/42v0bap

Nanlite FS-150 AC LED Monolight
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFTK70WWcG
Nanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/b3zLLB
B&H https://bhpho.to/3NFmZQg

In today's test with our model Colleen I am going to be using three Elinchrom 105cm (41”) deep umbrellas and two diffusers. I think it's safe to assume that similar umbrellas from different brands are going to work substantially the same.

I created the first image with Elinchrom’s Deep Translucent Umbrella coupled with a Black Diffuser on the back. I used this modifier as a shoot through umbrella. The purpose of this cover was to prevent light from bouncing off the interior of the umbrella and then reflecting off of other surfaces in the room. When light bounces off of colored surfaces it takes on the color of that object, so having more control of your lighting is essential when creating color images. Also uncontrolled light bouncing off of walls and ceilings could possibly reduce the contrast in your images, so using a black cover like this is a good idea when using a shoot through umbrella. The light from this modifier is similar to what you would expect from a softbox:

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Umbrella Types
01:31 - Side by Side Taste Test
02:23 - Translucent Umbrella
03:32 - Deep White Umbrella
03:42 - Deep White Umbrella With A Diffuser
03:52 - Deep Silver Umbrella
04:06 - Deep Silver Umbrella With A Diffuser
04:46 - My Choice
05:29 - First Lighting Setup
07:18 - Second Lighting Setup
08:48 - Third Lighting Setup
10:09 - Conclusion