Most photographers forgo using umbrellas for one reason or another, generally opting for other more advanced and expensive modifiers for their work. However, you might be surprised by the professional-level images you can produce with umbrellas. This excellent video will show you the stunning photos you can create using umbrellas and how they are made.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler with Adorama TV, this awesome video will show you what you can accomplish using a simple reflective umbrella with some diffusion fabric. A lot of photographers dislike using umbrellas not so much because of the quality of light, which can be made to be quite flattering, but because they tend to throw light everywhere, making the spill rather hard to control and possibly contaminating the shot. However, I think it is important (particular for newer photographers) to remember that umbrellas are highly portable and very inexpensive, and it is well worth keeping a few of them around your studio. They are also quite versatile and can fill in in a variety of situations, ranging from fashion to group portraits, despite the difficulties you sometimes encounter while using them. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Adler.Â