larry n. Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 When shooting with a zoom reflector into an umbrella, what setting do you normally have the zoom reflector on--wide angle or telephoto? How does this affect the quantity and quality of light falling on the subject, which is 5 feet away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeseb Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 I think you'd want to adjust the flash-to-umbrella distance and/or the flashhead zoom setting so that the flash blast just "fills" the circumference of the umbrella without light spilling "beyond" the umbrella's edges, nor without having a small hotspot in the middle of the umbrella. You can then change the distance from umbrella/flash rig to the subject to alter the effect of the light on the subject. Generally speaking, the smaller the apparent size of hte light in relation to the subject, the "harder" or more "specular" it will appear. A smaller umbrella or softbox, positioned farther away from the subject, makes harder light. Larger and/or closer makes softer light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_phillip Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 profoto has a small reflector for umbrellas practically not a reflector...the zoom seems like it should be as wide as poss....which is the purpose of the umbrella to start with...but then again maybe there would be an effect that the zoom would bring...more then likely a minor one .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimstrutz Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 I did a little experimenting with my umbrellas & flash units. I found I needed to set the flash's zoom to the widest position and move the umbrella as far from the flash as the umbrella stem/post would allow. The flash still does not fill the umbrella to the edges, but it is as good as I can get it. Filling the umbrella circle will soften the light and shadow edges, which is usually what I'm trying to achieve. Less zoom will reduce the softening effect. I found no difference in the quantity of reflected light either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 My guess is you will need to use a WIDE setting, and maybe even a diffuser to make it even wider. This all depends on the diameter of the umbrella and how far from the umbrella you position the flash. Go to the bottom of this thread to see how I figured out how to illuminate the umbrella. http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00HOuH This method is limited to a white or shoot thru umbrella, where you can see the light from the other side of the umbrella. I have no idea if there is any bleed thru with a silver umbrella. The idea is to illuminate as much of the umbrella as possible to get as BIG a light source as possible to get as soft a light as possible. If you over illuminate and get spill over, you loose light and maybe get reflections from the back of the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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