What is the correct usage of soft umbrella and how to use it?

A soft umbrella is a photographic appliance. In order to make the lighting softer, photographers often install a white translucent umbrella in front of the photographic lamp. The use of soft umbrella is not so simple! The following is what I compiled about the usage of soft umbrella, I hope you like it!

Use of soft umbrella

Soft umbrella can diffuse light, eliminate or weaken the shadow of light, and make the subject look soft and delicate. Soft umbrella cloth is usually white nylon or cotton cloth. The closer the soft umbrella is to the bulb, the weaker and stronger the soft light effect is.

The soft umbrella is installed in front of the flash. Similar photographic equipment has soft boxes, and the principle is the same. They all block a layer of white nylon or cotton cloth in front of the flash to make the light softer and eliminate or weaken the shadow.

The difference between soft box, reflective umbrella and soft umbrella

Soft box: the inside is soft enough to emit light, which can basically be regarded as a beam of parallel light.

Soft-light umbrella: When the light passes through the umbrella surface, it will scatter to form a beam of diffused light.

Reflective umbrella: the light source illuminates the reflective umbrella, and then it is reflected by the reflective umbrella to the main body.

The shadows produced by the soft box are softer in a considerable range. Compared with the light shining on the object itself, the light quality of the reflective umbrella is harder, while the soft umbrella is farther away from the main place, and the light quality is harder, and the shadow formed will become "hard". In fact, the soft umbrella can also be used upside down as a reflective umbrella, and the reflected shadow is "harder" than a reflective umbrella. No matter what kind of umbrella, the farther the distance, the harder the shadow.

Because the reflective umbrella can basically be regarded as a parabola, the diffuse reflection range of the reflective umbrella is wider. Many times, reflective umbrellas are used to create a diffuse reflection area in which subjects move, such as pets and children. Soft umbrella mainly creates soft contrast subject VS shadow by weakening the direct intensity of light source.

From the umbrella itself, the soft umbrella is white and translucent, which can transmit light. The reflective umbrella is silver-gray, and the inner surface is coated with silver or gold reflective substances. It can hardly transmit light, although it can transmit light, but the light intensity is greatly attenuated. Among them, the use of gold in portrait photography can improve the panel texture of China people, which is estimated to be ineffective for whites.

Soft boxes are more suitable for wedding photos and children's photos. Most wedding photo studios are soft boxes or naked lights with standard covers and reflectors.

Use of reflective umbrella

1. Umbrella color: white or silvery white?

The white umbrella has softer light, while the silver umbrella reflects more light. In my opinion, bright lights are more important than soft lights, because people now use flashlights with low brightness.

In addition, the reflective umbrella can move close to the object, making the light softer.

2. Type of umbrella: reflective umbrella or transparent umbrella.

Umbrellas, as the name suggests. Unless you take a lot of close-ups, most people will choose reflective umbrellas. The reason is that reflective umbrellas don't reduce too much light. This is very important.

3. Umbrella back type: detachable or non-detachable.

An umbrella with a detachable back can be used for many purposes, both as a reflective umbrella and as a light-transmitting umbrella, but the price is relatively high and the amount of reflected light is low.

I have two non-detachable umbrellas, silver-white and black backs, which are very easy to use.

Of course, you can have your own choice.

One more thing: Unless you use a flash with greater brightness, don't bother to buy an umbrella with a diameter greater than 1. 1 meter. When using the hot-shoe flashlight, it is necessary to ensure sufficient brightness and the distance between the flashlight and the umbrella should be reasonable.

Reflective soft light tools can organically combine soft light, brightness and light irradiation direction. The soft box has a strong ability to control the light beam, but it is also expensive, which will reduce the amount of light entering.

With a reflective umbrella, you can get proper soft light.

If you want to light up the whole room, you must reflect the light from the roof. Details will be discussed in detail with you in flash Zhuo Bo Knowledge.

If you put the umbrella closer, you will get a guiding soft light, which is suitable for taking big photos and portraits.

Although this shooting method is simple, the effect of the shot face looks very professional, and it will never make people feel that it is the work of an ordinary photographer. Use a telephoto lens with a smaller focal length, and then use a flash with a reflective umbrella to catch the living light, so that the head photos taken by your knowledgeable readers are more like those used on the front page.

Retract the reflective umbrella a little, and the directional reflected light will cover a larger area. There is a lot of room to adjust the position of the subject, and the light will always be in the best state. Don't worry even if he moves.

The effect of this reflected light is always good, which can ensure the quality of photos and the required equipment is convenient to carry. Obviously, this equipment is definitely not expensive.