reflector or diffuser?

[serissolutions]

Hello, Noobie here... Sorry about the dumb question..

Whats the difference between a light with a diffuser umbrella and a reflector umbrella?
I assume its for a diff effect?
Whats the effect?

[Vetteography]

I think a diffuser umbrella is semi-opaque, it allows light to pass through but softens it and spreads it evenly. A reflector unbrella is completely opaque and often has a foil-like appearance on one side. It is used to reflect and redirect light.

I don't have either so I could be completely wrong, but I have been shopping for a couple and I think I have it right.

[robertwgross]

A diffuser is normally something that you put in front of a point source of light in order to broaden it out.

A pure reflector does not do that. A pure reflector will reflect a point source as a point source. Think of a mirror.

A diffusing reflector might have an interesting texture to it, but it is still a reflector.

Now, if you fire a point source of light into a reflecting umbrella, something diferent happens, since the umbrella is not a flat reflecting surface. Depending on how the umbrella curve is shaped and the distance from the light to the umbrella, you might get a broadening effect, or you might get a focusing effect.

---Bob Gross---

[chris.bailey]

I have a couple of diffuser umbrellas (normally called shoot through) and they are really nice, creating very large light sources that are very soft and the light wraps around the subject. The downside is that you can see the spokes of the umbrella in the eye catchlights. Mine have removable foil liners for conversion to reflection brollies and these create much harder light with less wrap around.

[PhotosGuy]

A piece of white/colored cardboard can be used to reflect & diffuse light, too. Have you seen these?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140