Umbrella questions

[gwc1023]

I'm getting ever closer to pressing the buttom on my order for some 'simple' flash studio setup stuff. I have a few more questions I've run into as I'm filling my cart:

If I'm using two flashes, do I need two umbrellas? Sounds like a stupid question, I know. :) One will be the main obviously and the other fill, are they both supposed to have umbrellas?

The 43" collapsible umbrellas are out of stock at MPEX...but a 'regular' umbrella still folds/collapses, correct - they don't ship it in a box that's four feet around? At least the umbrella part folds down, so even if it's fairly tall folded up it's not big around, right?

I'm having real trouble deciding between the silver and white umbrellas - I was thinking silver as that's what recommended on the Strobist site, but after looking through this thread - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=364563 - I don't like the harsher shadows and highlights of the silver. Or would that be a moot point since I'll be using a two-flash setup?

Thanks again - I am getting really excited about actually getting all this and starting the learning process!

[form]

I like to have the freedom to soften my three lights, so I have umbrellas for each, but I don't always need every umbrella.

Don't know about collapsible vs not, but if you aren't sure, call them. I haven't seen any non-folding umbrellas before.

Though several people seem to claim silver umbrellas don't make a great difference, I think I would rather have the extra softness despite the loss of light, and so I got white.

I haven't been short of power with shoot-thru umbrellas either. The other day, I measured 1-1/3 stops more light through shoot-thru white than from bounced white, with the flash unit - not light source, which would be the umbrella - at the same distance from the subject.

[Wilt]

You do not have to soften all of your lights! Fill needs softening. Key (main) could go either way!

Most people find silver too 'hot' and not suited well to family style portraits; you could use them for glamor shots.

[Atomic79]

You don't NEED to use an umbrella it's a light modifier so using the correct one for the situation is what's important. And only experimenting and experience are going to let you know.

As Wilt said the silver is 'hot' (higher contrast, harder shadows) they also have less light loss (higher reflectance) which may be important if you have a low power flash. The white with removable black cover can also be used as a simple shoot through softbox which you can move in fairly close to the subject and get a very nice soft wrap around light. I find I get more use from that than the silver. But having said all that if you can afford two, one of each would allow you the chance to play and learn.

You are correct in that the collapsible type work like a compact rain umbrella where the shaft telescopes and the ribs fold so the length shortens.

P.S. Try working with only one light. Not that two is bad but you may learn more faster. onelightworkshop (http://www.onelightworkshop.com/OneLight/Gallery.html)

[tim]

I think you should post direct links to all of your proposed equipment, and what you plan to do with it.

[form]

And if you're planning on paying $40 or more for each light stand, you might want to start out with the Impact 9.5' heavy air-cushioned models that sell for about $40 each, with free shipping. Much larger footprint and tubing than the Alienbees LS3050 10', and the best deal for stands that I've found thus far (though I've only bought three kinds).

[dano57]

OK, I have a question now, does the 580 EX II have sufficient power for a white umbrella or would it be better to opt for the silver?

[Psychobiker]

Umm...yup.

Pop the 580 on 1/1 and press the pilot button. It will fully illuminate most medium size rooms :D

[martinsmith]

My brollies are white with a removable silver/black backing so it covers bounce & shoot through. As they're not too pricey, you can always get a shoot through & a silver bounce to give you options.

[harryb49]

I second the reply that a white umbrella provides a softer light than a silver one and since your purpose is portrait photography it would seem to be the better choice.

[gwc1023]

Thank you - I think I will go with the white umbrella as all I plan to do are portraits. Still undecided on the one vs two umbrella issue...anywhere I would buy them from are in the US (almost always cheaper even when factoring in the extra shipping to Canada), so if I'm going to get two eventually, I might as well do it now to save shipping a second time.