What's better? Black/Silver umbrella or shoot through?

foodpoison

foodpoison

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Sean
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I want to diffuse light as just the flashgun is way too harsh.

What would be better for diffusing the light: a silver/black umbrella or a plain white shoot through umbrella?

Is there anything I need to look out for? i.e. colour casts on cheap white umbrellas?
 
Okay so apparently after a bit of research (tried different google terms :p) the white/shoot through umbrella gives the appearance of softer light. Plus you can place it closer to your subject to give the apparent effect of a larger light source.

A silver umbrella gives the same spread of light but shadows are harsher.
 
One advantage of a shoot-through, as opposed to a reflective is that you can move it in closer to your subject, without poking their eye out with the umbrella shaft :lol:
 
Just to add with a reflective umbrella you can half close it down to control the spread of light. Get both :D
 
foodpoison said:
Reversible? As in reflective?

I suppose I could get both? Bargain prices on ebay...
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You can get ones a bit like an x-in-1 reflector. You can take the black backing off and use it as a shoot through, or with it on it works as a reflective umbrella. Some have different linings inside; silver, white, half silver, etc.
 
its all good fp they only last so long, my calumet one is smashed to buggery :O need to buy a smaller one next time as it gets WINDY up here
 
Neither is better than the other, they do different jobs.
Silver (or any other reflective) umbrella produces a harder light because it cannot physically be as close to the subject, because it faces the wrong way.
Shoot through umbrellas can potentially produce a softer light because they can be placed close to the subject, but they scatter the light everywhere. Please see this article on large light shaping tools.
You need both - if the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
 
dual duty is best as it offers that bit more flexibility, need to pick up a nano stand then I can have a brolly and stand in my bag almost all the time :D
 
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