JR Sprawls wrote:
I'd suggest the covertible type to start -- white with a removable black cover, so they can be used either for reflected or shoot through. Somthing like 42- to 48-inch is a good starter size.

Photoflex is a pretty good brand, IMO, a good balance of price and quality.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 … a_30_.html

So ones like that?

Thanks I have a SB 600 and a SB 800 that will be on the stands. Will they work well?

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

PWPhoto wrote:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 … a_30_.html

So ones like that?

Thanks I have a SB 600 and a SB 800 that will be on the stands. Will they work well?

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

My current sunset beach sessions are done with a Nikon SB-800 bounced into a Photoflex 25" white satin umbrella.

PWPhoto wrote:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/42500-REG/Photoflex_UMRUT30_Convertible_Umbrella_30_.html

So ones like that?

Thanks I have a SB 600 and a SB 800 that will be on the stands. Will they work well?

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

Should work nicely. I work on location with Vivitar 283s, just a little less power than your SBs, and rarely feel a need for more power.

Christopher Hartman wrote:

My current sunset beach sessions are done with a Nikon SB-800 bounced into a Photoflex 25" white satin umbrella.

SNIP

WOW. that is beautiful. just what i needed an example with the gear i use

was the light shot through the umbrella or reflected?

EDIT: you so bounced so I assume it was reflected

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

Michael Moe wrote:
With smaller flash units, I believe the silver makes more efficient use of the light than a similar white umbrella, but I have no facts to back that up.

It does.

PWPhoto wrote:

WOW. that is beautiful. just what i needed an example with the gear i use

was the light shot through the umbrella or reflected?

EDIT: you so bounced so I assume it was reflected

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

yes, reflected.

PWPhoto wrote:
I am thinking that the only thing that really matters is the quality of the umbrella. light stands and mounts dont matter as much i assume.

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

Spend a little extra to get decent stands and mounts. This is sometimes a hard sell to beginners because people don't appreciate the difference until they've used the cheap stuff for a while and had a knob break off or a light fall.

If you can get to a camera store and handle the stuff before you buy that's a plus. If you have to order, Manfrotto/Bogen is a safe bet on stands. Figure out the lightest thing that will do the job, then buy one size heavier. Depending on how much you have to carry it, maybe even heavier -- you might think ahead and buy stands strong enough to handle a monolight later on. My outdoor stands are quite heavy, a pair of ancient Smith-Victor steel stands that must weigh about 8 pounds each but they stand up in the Texas wind, usually. When I don't need the weight I have some much lighter Manfrotto aluminum jobs. I think this is it:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 … Stand.html

I have several adapters. My favorite is a Photoflex, but this looks identical and comes with a flash shoe:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … 709&is=REG

These examples may not be quite as exciting as some -- my people tend to wear more clothes -- but here's a couple of ways I use this stuff:



Main light from very large window at right end of sofa, fill from Vivitar 283 camera left, bounced off the white side of a gray card. Her mother and I moved almost every piece of furniture in their living room to set this up.




Light on the face was a 283 off a small umbrella camera left, light in close to the umbrella to make it appear smaller, augmented by sunlight reflecting from a white wall behind me. Diffuse sunlight as hair light. Background found in a downtown Lubbock, Texas, alley. I scouted the area early, noting light, colors and textures, so when she arrived and I saw the tops she brought I was able to quickly coordinate. This was mid- to late afternoon and the camera is pointed almost straight south. She's just barely inside the shade cast by the wall behind her, pulled out far enough to get a little sparkle in the hair, but still out of the direct sun.

Christopher Hartman wrote:

My current sunset beach sessions are done with a Nikon SB-800 bounced into a Photoflex 25" white satin umbrella.

PWPhoto wrote:
thanks a lot. the images are really pushing a sale.

I think i will take a good look at the umbrellas and stands.

I am thinking that the only thing that really matters is the quality of the umbrella. light stands and mounts dont matter as much i assume.

-Peter Walkowiak
www.peterwphoto.com

Since I'm often doing this at the beach, I'm not concerned about the stand quality.  In fact, it's the stand I got with my Alien Bee AB-800.  it does the trick. I had to buy an "hot shoe" adapter thing.  it was like $15 from B&H.

PWPhoto wrote:
When would you recommend a small umbrella vs a larger one. For example 25in vs 45in?

Thanks

I'm the wrong person to ask. I went small for two reasons.

1. the smaller the umbrella, the easier it'll be for me, an assistant, or weights to hold the light stand steady due to wind.  The larger the umbrella, the more air it'll catch which will require more weight/strength to keep it from blowing away.

2. I figured the SB-800 isn't all that powerful of a light souce and a larger umbrella would probably be a waste.  I could be totally wrong.   My primary concern was with #1.

PWPhoto wrote:
... I don't see myself spending a lot of money on stands so that will end up working for me. ...-Peter

I recommend a good investment in quality light stands and a sand bag.  If you are on location (e.g. beach, urban downtown area) wind is a factor and it would a shame to see an expensive light and umbrellas crash and burn in wet sand, saltwater, or cement due to a lightweight, unsteady stand helping to secure your valuables. Heck the granddaddy of location stands (the Avenger Century Stand 40" base, 10"riser) is only $124 - add a 25lb sandbag and your good-to-go.

Christopher Hartman wrote:

I suppose some day I'll be good enough to look at a photo like this and know how it was lit, but in the mean time let me ask a dumb question - was this with one umbrella?  Where was it placed, and how high off the ground?

Chicago Digital Images wrote:

I suppose some day I'll be good enough to look at a photo like this and know how it was lit, but in the mean time let me ask a dumb question - was this with one umbrella?  Where was it placed, and how high off the ground?

You can tell everything from hey shadow. One light on the Left side mid height a few inches above her head?   The thing that amazes me is the color!

Chicago Digital Images wrote:
I suppose some day I'll be good enough to look at a photo like this and know how it was lit, but in the mean time let me ask a dumb question - was this with one umbrella?  Where was it placed, and how high off the ground?

Camera left...mostly straight on.  And probably as close to the ground as possible.  Quite honestly, I don't remember.

PWPhoto wrote:
What do all of you think of this setup for a newbie?

You might find a taller stand more versatile in the long run.  Something to think about.