Umbrella type ??

[feral1]

I am new to Portrait or more so People, I have just found out that a good friend wants me to photograph his daughters Formal. I am thinking of getting 2 Umbrellas to help with lighting where needed, why 2, I have a 580 ex II and a 430 ex II flashes.
So I am wondering what may be better for outside shoots the translucent or the silver reflector ones, or 1 of each.

In 2 weeks I am heading out to where the shoot will take place, so i have an idea of the area at the winery. As this shoot is going to be around the 5 pm mark here in Oz it will be getting a bit dark for sunset, so hoping the light will e good for background, but may need the (or will) need the flash with the umbrella to soften the light.

Thanks in advance, shoot is just over a month away.

Peter

[AlexB_Photo]

Well a reflective could give you more overall height and broader lighting, where a shoot-through would give you softer light, but you would need more of it. I prefer shoot-through for individuals but I generally shoot in a semi-controlled environment. If you need to cover a large area, a large reflective may be better. Depending on the area you are trying to cover, you may need more than a single speedlight.

At wedding receptions, sometimes I set a wireless bare flash on the DJ table pointed at the ceiling. This way, no matter where I am I have overhead light that just looks like the DJ's lights. Obviously this has it's faults, someone stands too close or I venture too far, but ta light stand would quickly remedy that issue. Not sure if this helps.

[feral1]

Originally Posted by abouthillier

Well a reflective could give you more overall height and broader lighting, where a shoot-through would give you softer light, but you would need more of it. I prefer shoot-through for individuals but I generally shoot in a semi-controlled environment. If you need to cover a large area, a large reflective may be better. Depending on the area you are trying to cover, you may need more than a single speedlight.

At wedding receptions, sometimes I set a wireless bare flash on the DJ table pointed at the ceiling. This way, no matter where I am I have overhead light that just looks like the DJ's lights. Obviously this has it's faults, someone stands too close or I venture too far, but ta light stand would quickly remedy that issue. Not sure if this helps.

Thanks for your quick response, I am in the process in looking at what sizes I may need, seeing as I have 2 speedlites, I will have to see what may work better for the 2 different sizes.
I am hoping it will mainly be 1 person at a time, then 1 group shot, may mean looking at the group shot first due to lighting conditions.
thanks for your input.

Peter

[AlexB_Photo]

I shoot a Wescott 43" umbrella from Amazon that has a removable reflective cover and I LOVE it. I know I there are better options out there but it was the cheapest I could find and it was worth it.

For a sunny day, I have made out well with just a diffusion panel held in front of the sun for soft light. If you need the light, you can probably work with a reflector and a shoot-through. For the group I've used two reflective umbrellas, one on each side of the camera. I found out half way through the shoot that the left was not firing, but the pictures came out just fine anyway.

[Hardrock40]

Originally Posted by abouthillier

I shoot a Wescott 43" umbrella from Amazon that has a removable reflective cover and I LOVE it. I know I there are better options out there but it was the cheapest I could find and it was worth it.

For a sunny day, I have made out well with just a diffusion panel held in front of the sun for soft light. If you need the light, you can probably work with a reflector and a shoot-through. For the group I've used two reflective umbrellas, one on each side of the camera. I found out half way through the shoot that the left was not firing, but the pictures came out just fine anyway.

Good to hear, just ordered a Wescott 43 today.

[feral1]

thanks for the responses all

Peter

[feral1]

I have bought the Umbrellas, a reflective and a translucent one, with tripod bracket and 2 stands, with a dual Young's to trigger flashes.
Just waiting for them to arrive, so hoping next w/e I can do tests with them.

Thanks all.

Peter