umbrella size matters?

[EOS mE]

i've been thinking about going the strobist route for quite some time. i noticed that most mentioned about using a 43". but from BH, i found a set of 32" with light stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475575-REG/Impact__Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html#features ).

will this make 32" make the light more harsh/ concentrated rather than diffused compared to the 43"?

[Steve Wintrow]

it depends on what you are photographing. the 32" umbrella will be good for product photography and some head shots. the larger the umbrella the larger object you can photograph. 2 60" umbrellas would be good for standing portraits as well as small groups.

the quality of the light will be determined by the umbrella, wether you are shooting through or reflecting off, wether you use a white or silver lining.

hope this gives you some ideas.

[hard12find]

not only size but how you use it......
so I hear
Jim

[EOS mE]

thanks guys.. i'll be looking to using it mainly to shoot through & reflect. i found the 45" impact version with the black cover, so perhaps will just have to buy them separately :(

[Wilt]

Size matters, but size is also relative! For example, a 24" umbrella at 2' will be the same size as a 48" umbrella at 4', relatively speaking. In that case, both umbrellas are equally 'soft'.
But a 48" would provide softer light at the same distance as a 24" umbrella would. So 48" at 4' is softer than 24" at 4'. Other characteristics, like light fall off, are different as well at different distances; fall off is rapid when at 2' whereas falloff is less rapid at 4'.

[CanonLaw]

I just got the impact 32" x2 kit plus the 45" umbrella. I have yet to use it on anything other than in my living room, which is VERY small, so I am not much help yet. I am doing a shoot this Saturday, so I will let you know.

[Alextee]

Really big umbrellas can be a huge pain in the wind. plus when they fall, it's over lots of the time

[Rob Lewis]

Remember that size dose matter, BUT, make sure you are using you umbrella to its FULLEST potential. You want your flash or strobe to hit the entire surface of the umbrella, in fact go ahead and let it leak out past the rim of the umbrella a little to be sure you use the whole umbrella.

[mchong75]

Size matters on umbrellas. (softboxes, etc.)

In reference to above post on umbrella to subject distances, you also have to keep in mind the distance where your speedlite is positioned within the umbrella.

Here's what I have and I highly recommend them. Great quality and excellent price IMO.

45” Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover
$28.60 each
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63319-REG/Westcott_2016_Umbrella_White_Satin_.html

9.5' Impact Air-Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand
$38.95 each
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.htm l