Reflector vs shoot-through

[wthalliii]

I'm pretty new to studio work. I have a set of Westcott Strobelites with umbrellas. I've seen pictures of studio setups with the umbrellas used as reflectors and I've also seen them in the shoot-through mode. I have never tried them in the shoot-through mode. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these two ways of using an umbrella?

[toverman]

Experts will be able to give a better answer than this, but using umbrellas as shoot-throughs diffuses and softens the light more (also reduces the output). Reflecting is more efficient but gives a slightly harder light (with less loss).

[tukaniray]

Depends on how you use it ...

I have used Continuous lights with an umbrella to act as a fill because it spreads the light.

And I use the Shoot-Through (Softboxes mainly) to drop the light intensity a stop or 2.

But I have also used a Shoot-Through as a fill.

There are many ways you can go about using the light and manipulating them. You can even try a bounce board and bounce light.

Here's a Link from a guy on YouTube that explains it well.


-Ray-

[texxter]

You can control the contrast of the light by using a bounce umbrella, e.g., use a silver umbrella for more contrast and white for less contrast. You can also introduce a cast using a gold umbrella. You can only shoot thru a white diffusing umbrella. A shoot thru umbrella will allow you to position the light closer to the subject for softer light.

[wthalliii]

Okay, good info, guys. Thanks. That is helpful.

Good to see you on this forum, too, Paco. I usually see you on Nikonians.

[texxter]

Thanks Bill. I like Nikonians a lot, and I frequent mostly the Portraits/Commercial forum, and not the equipment forums so much.

[DigiSLR]

Anytime I've tried to shoot through the umbrellas I've never got a clear focused shot of the subjet matter. :-P

[z-monster]

Originally Posted by texxter

A shoot thru umbrella will allow you to position the light closer to the subject for softer light.

Indeed. Here is David's take on Shoot Through umbrellas to back up the all-mighty Paco.

[sldi]

just move the camera to the side of the umbrella and it will focus lots better.

[StevenGWebb]

Here's something I've heard (and feel compelled to repeat) about bouncing into umbrellas and shooting through them. When shooting into an umbrella the light from the original source is spread out the width of the umbrella. The light is softer as it has been spread out from its original size. It is also constrained, wide but sort of directional, because of the somewhat bowl shape the light rays move in a large shaft.

If the umbrella is a material that the light can pass through (shoot through) the very shape of it causes a more wrap-around light. The predominant light goes forward the direction of the original light source. The rest of the usable light is disbursed outward from the conture of the umbrella, thus it is scattered more making for a less defined shaft of light, or a softer light.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Steven