If you’ve just started experimenting with off-camera flash and probably realized you need some light modifiers – this quick tutorial will help! A few tips from our favorite New Yorker – Photographer David Bergman and AdoramaTV.
Diving into the light mechanics of using the flash with the umbrella Mr Bergman explains: “The idea is to make that tiny little flash into a big soft source so that the light is more flattering. The easiest way to start is by using an umbrella. They’re inexpensive and all you need is a standard adapter.”
“So you have a place to slide the umbrella post and mount your flash but now is when you have some decisions to make. There are two ways you can shoot.
The first is called ‘shoot-through’, which literally means you point the flash into the open umbrella and shoot through it so that the light hits your subject.”
“The second is called ‘reflective’ where you point the flash away from your subject. It hits the light into the umbrella and then reflects back onto your subject.”
“Neither method is wrong – they’re just different. Why would you choose one or the other? In general, shoot-though umbrellas will give you a softer light because you can get it in closer to your subject. You don’t have that long metal pole sticking into the frame, so you can really get that light in extremely close, which makes it a very big relative light source. And since it’s so close, you won’t lose much power from your flash, which helps if you’re outdoors and trying to overpower the Sun with a small speed light.”
“With reflective umbrellas you have to keep them further back. You will find that most of them have a silver interior and a black backing. This makes them more efficient than shoot-through and they kick back a lot of light into your subject. They’re really better suited though for a group shot when you need to cover a bigger area.
So which one would you buy? Well it really depends on what you shoot – for single portraits shoot-throughs is the way to go. If you need to light bigger areas then reflective is a good place to start. No matter which one you go with, you’ll find that you’ll collect a few different types and sizes over the years and will hopefully always have access to the right modifier!”
*For more information visit AdoramaTV YT page, and of course you can keep up with David on Instagram and Twitter @DavidBergman. LATEST UPDATE: David opened up new IGTV episodes where you can ask him questions live! find out more at http://www.AskDavidBergman.com
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Watch the full episode with David Bergman and Adorama TV: