Shape of Umbrella Lights: Shoot Through or Reflective

How different is the shape of light when shooting with an umbrella shoot-through vs reflective?

Anectdotally, I would think shoot-through would be much wider sending light everywhere. But when I think about bounce angles, I'm guessing a reflective umbrella would also send light pretty much just as wide, no?

Is a reflective umbrella more focused? Why would I want to use one over the other?

Thanks.

You can get a shoot through closer to your subject (umbrella shafts length) and the light is slightly different.

http://www.visatec.com …torials/light-comparison/

(Compare the bottom two modifiers)

When the 2 umbrellas are placed the same distance from the subject, a reflective umbrella will have more diffused, softer light where a shoot through would be a bit harsher. It's easier to get a shoot through closer to your subject without poking his/her eyes out.

Tawcan wrote in post #13353676
When the 2 umbrellas are placed the same distance from the subject, a reflective umbrella will have more diffused, softer light where a shoot through would be a bit harsher. It's easier to get a shoot through closer to your subject without poking his/her eyes out.

The examples from Bron/Visatec seem to be contrary to what you just stated. Look at

• the shadow edges,
  
• at the relative contrast of the face,
  
• the relative contrast of shadows
  
• the amount of illumination on the back of the chair
  

True but that's assuming the distance from the umbrella to subject are exactly the same. If stand is placed at the exact same spot but the umbrellas are flipped around then obviously the shoot through will be a bit closer to the subject.

Wouldn't call it "harsher". No idea what to call it though.
Reflected light has a bit less "knack" then diffused IMO, all else being equal.
IMO a shoot through umbrella is more like a small, round, portable diffusion panel

The fabric obviously has a big impact.

Tawcan wrote in post #13353730
True but that's assuming the distance from the umbrella to subject are exactly the same. If stand is placed at the exact same spot but the umbrellas are flipped around then obviously the shoot through will be a bit closer to the subject.

We are no longer comparing the modifier, we are also introducing relative size difference as well as the light falloff difference due to distance. Apples vs. oranges.

And that makes the closer source softer, while also increasing the degree of light falloff with distance

Thanks, everyone.

I was mostly curious about the shape or cone of light. That link was very helpful, Rene. And I guess it confirms what I was thinking even though it seems a little counter-intuitive; that the reflective will spread light just as far if not father than a shoot through.

A shoot through also reflects light, but a reflective (with black backing) doesn't shoot through.
So, in a room with white walls, you might get a lot of bounce using a shoot through.

http://www.zarias.com …ough-umbrella-vs-softbox/

Another good resource; thanks again, Rene.

Yes thanks Rene. Bookmarked that.