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Diffuser or Flash/Umbrella
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Hi All,
I’ve recently been asked to do a Portfolio for a Makeup Artist (obviously haedshots and close ups etc) and lighting will be critical. I have a “Gary Fong Diffuser”(not everyone’s cup of tea I’m sure) which I use with a SB600 Flash, and, to be quite honest I’m happy with the results, however, I am wondering which would be the best thing for the job, the diffuser, or, firing the flash into an Umbrella etc.
The reason why I ask is that I don’t have an umbrella, but I can get one on ebay for a few quid.
Once again your expertise and opinions are most welcome.
Chris
I have three flashes and hav found that there are loads of cool ways to defuse the light from bouncing them of stuff such as large white A2 sheets of paper to a bog role or shooting them through stuff including umberllas. but the paper or bog role is the cheapest option it does not look the most pro at times :)
I was using the lightspheres for a while but have found much better results (when using sb 800’s & 600’s) with the main light through a white umbrella. I often use the lightsphere on a secondary / fill light.
If you can get an umbrella and stand attachment easily I would say go for it.
Rgds
Kevin
Thanks Kevin,
I was looking on ebay and you can pick up a studio flash,stand and umbrella ccheap enough or would the SB600 into the umbrella be enough.
Thanks,
Chris
Chris,
everyone has their own idea / preferences when it comes to lighting.
Very often, the more power you have the better, but this also has to be balanced with portability, tidiness (no wires etc. with speedlights) ease of control, how sensitive the power adjustments are (half stops, full stops, qtr stops etc.).
Personally, I find the SB800s are grand for individual portraits and smaller groups, but for larger groups they have their limitations.
Hope I didn’t confuse you more !!
Rgds
Kevin
I saw a guy a while ago using masking tape on his flashes for portraits and the results were brilliant. Don’t know if he had a lot of photoshop to do though.
Thanks lads,
I just ordered an umbrella and a holder for the flash, so I’ll have to play around and see what I think works, I suppose Kevin is right, there is no right or wrong answer, it’s just down to the taste/opinion of the individual!!!!
Thanks again,
Chris
I was wondering which umbrella and holder you went for and if you have any thoughts on it when you get it as to how good it is
cheers
Mark
Mark,
I ordered one from a seller in the U.S. only cost me 15 euros. I’ll let you know what I think when it arrives,
Chris
Chris
For make-up shots you will have to position the light as close you can to the model. This will force you shooting through an umbrella or a softbox. I know you can get acceptable results with bouncing off a ceiling/wall..etc or with a basic diffuser, but if you want to achive the best then softbox is the answer. i did not say umbrella because with the umbrella is quite difficult to control the amount of light spilling out. I am not saying you cannot control it..is just awkward sometime. Just my 2c :P
The Umbrella is a cheap and very useful solution. Personally I’d shoot through it, so I could get the umbrella closer to the subject, but everyone has different opinions about it all :D
Another cheap solution, if you need more power and you’re using more than a single flash, is the good old large bed sheet (or an expensive Lastolite Skylite).edit: I’ve just noticed that you’ve ordered your umbrella :D Perhaps next time, if you want to invest some more money, you could try the amazing EzyBox: incredible quality light for a very portable softbox…many colleagues of mine don’t even use umbrellas anymore after the introduction of those, whether in studio or on location.
I agree with Francesco. I always shot through but the problem I have with umbrellas is the little spike in the centre..Some of the lastolites have a ridiculous big and protruding one.
The biggest softbox..Lastolite hiLite :) 6ft/7ft softbox :PCheers everyone,
All your comments and experience are extremely welcome. Just had a look at the ezybox on ebay, might write a letter to the fat man in the red suit!!
Thanks again,
Chris :D
I’ve just started reading through the articles over on strobist.com
Plenty of informative stuff on there about off camera flash, particularly as it relates to flash unit as you describe rather than studio lights.
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