Things You'll Need:
- Photography Umbrellas - silver (reflective) and white (defuse)
- Camera - digital or film
- Lights
-
Step 1
Set up your umbrellas so that they allow you to defuse the light to create a softer appearance. You can also use them to reflect harsh lighting so you still receive a bright appearance, but without washing out your subject.
-
Step 2
Use a white umbrella for a softer light. Once you have opened the umbrella, you can shoot light directly through the umbrella, which will remove the harshness, while still providing you with a soft glow.
-
Step 3
Angle your lights. If you want to get rid of shadows, you will can use the white umbrella, and while shooting the light directly through this umbrella, situate it so that the majority of the light is behind the subject. This will remove shadowing, and provide a nice outline. You will want to use this type of shooting style for portraits and in other locations where shadowing is common (outside, etc.).
-
Step 4
Utilize the black/silver umbrella to brighten your subject. This type of umbrella is black on the outside, but when you turn it over, the interior cavity is silver. When you shoot the light directly onto the silver, or underside, of this umbrella it will reflect onto your subject. It may take several minutes to adjust the light on the subject, but once you have done so, your subject will be brightly illuminated without being washed out.
-
Step 5
Combine both white (translucent) and the black reflector umbrella within one shoot. This will allow you to both hide shadows and give the subject a healthy glow. To accomplish a professional image, use the reflector umbrella as your main light source, and then take the translucent (white) umbrella and defuse light behind the subject.
