Flash photography tip: Always carry an umbrella in your bag

Thursday 16 March 2023, 15:45 by Elja Trum | 4,021 views | 1 comment

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

A white translucent umbrella, not one for the rain but the type for flash units, is a useful accessory to always keep in your lighting bag. They usually cost barely twenty quid, are compact, lightweight and can be a useful backup.

Yana-Meau - f/4, 1/100s, 100 ISO @ 50mm
An umbrella is useful for lighting, for example, a group of people or an entire room. The light from your flash goes in all directions through an umbrella. It spreads very widely and evenly.

To be honest, I don't use them very often. I prefer having more control over where the light goes.

That doesn't mean they aren't useful, though. You can easily use one to light a portrait, and they are even practical if you want to photograph someone from head to toe.

An umbrella can be a useful light modifier, especially for photos taken outdoors. The fact that the light goes in all directions matters much less there. With no reflections from the surroundings, you don't have that disadvantage.

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