shoot through vs bounce

[Robert E]

what dictates your action to shoot through an umbrella
vs just bouncing light into it.

I think that if I want a softer look ...then it has to be through...

for a wider light wouldn't I want to bounce it ...

Thanx in advance ....

Bob

 

[BAK]

I ue bounce into the umbrellas almost all the time.

In some circumstances, I like having more room between the umbrellas / stands and the subjects, but I guess I could adjust that, too.

Maybe it all boils don to me being too lazy to take the black covers off the umbrellas.

 

[jlongo]

Shooting through an umbrella will give you more specular (direct - harsher) light than bounce. It also scatters light throughout the room/studio with great abandon.

Bouncing out of an umbrella will give you softer light, especially if the light source (flash and umbrella) is as close to your subject as possible. (Just out of the camera frame.)

Black backed umbrellas help to keep the spill down to a manageable minimum giving you better control..
--
The right to free speech in no way implies any right to be taken seriously!
Joe

 

[Gary Pauley]

The choice comes from looking at the diffuse highlights in the image.

If you need more sparkle, shoot through, to much sparkle, like maybe oily skin on a face, bounce.

Should always have some translucent powder anyway to take the oil reflections down.

Basically, adjust the hardness or softness of the key light to get beautiful highlights.

 

[Jim DeLuco]

Shooting through an umbrella will give you more specular (direct -
harsher) light than bounce. It also scatters light throughout the
room/studio with great abandon.
Bouncing out of an umbrella will give you softer light, especially
if the light source (flash and umbrella) is as close to your
subject as possible. (Just out of the camera frame.)
Black backed umbrellas help to keep the spill down to a manageable
minimum giving you better control..
--
The right to free speech in no way implies any right to be taken
seriously!
Joe

My experience has been the opposite. I did some tests some time ago and I thought that shooting thru gave me softer, more of a softbox look, than bouncing. I recommend running your own tests and seeing what you come up with. You may find that the difference is minimal.

If you need MORE light, then use a black cover and bounce the light into the umbrella. Use two or more umbrellas together if you want a softer light, as the larger the light source, the softer the light.

--
Jim DeLuco
DeLuco Photography
http://www.delucophoto.com

 

[Robert E]

food for thought..
thanx