Can You Use a White Umbrella to Reflect Light?

White umbrellas have long been an indispensable tool for photographers. When a photographer sets up a photo shoot, he typically uses a light source to reveal the subject. This light source is at times too bright and focused to facilitate natural-looking photos. An umbrella is used to soften the light source and mimic natural light. Umbrellas are also used outdoors, though. At certain times of the day, the sunlight is too powerful; white umbrellas help to diffuse sharp light for the best possible photos.

Instead of pointing the light source directly at the subject, a photographer sets up a white umbrella and turns the light source away from the subject to face the inside of the umbrella. The light is then reflected off of the umbrella's surface and back to the subject, much more subdued.

The light reflecting off the umbrella is diffused over the subject. The range of the light being diffused depends on how far the umbrella and light are positioned away from the subject. To decrease the range, a photographer need only move the umbrella and light closer. When white umbrellas reflect light, the subject appears softer and more delicate. The subject is free of shadows and appears a bit more well-defined to the eye because a broader light is spread all over the subject, highlighting all of its details, without shining a harsh bright spot on any one place.

Umbrellas are brought along on photo shoots even when it's not guaranteed they'll be necessary because they are incredibly portable. Umbrellas can be folded up, tucked away and carried very easily from location to location. Umbrellas are also very easy to set up, requiring only that you have the proper attachment to fasten the umbrella in position. Once in use, the umbrella can be easily manipulated and moved to reflect light in just the right way.

Along with white umbrellas, which are usually made of nylon, there are silver coated umbrellas. Silver coated umbrellas offer a stronger reflection, sometimes close to twice as much, and give the appearance of a harder light being emitted. This may be beneficial, and offer a better option, for photographers looking for a stronger light pouring over their subjects. Both the white and silver umbrellas are often used in the same sizes.

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