The Ultimate Guide to Offset Umbrellas

Anyone who has ever used an offset umbrella knows that they are a great way to be creative with your lighting. They allow you to create pools of light to illuminate your subject. The problem is that people often see the potential for this product but don’t know how to use it or what accessories are needed to do so successfully. This guide is here to help with that.

1. What are offset umbrellas and how do they work?

Offset umbrellas are unique in that they don’t screw into light stands like standard umbrellas. Instead, they attach to a small metal base which allows you to place them at an angle on top of your strobe head. The umbrella itself is made of translucent fabric so the light can pass through it freely. This creates pools of light which you can see in the umbrellas namesake – it’s creating an “offset” or small sidelight to your subject. This unique ability adds depth and dimension, making this style of lighting more appealing than the standard front on flat lighting.

2. What is their purpose?

Offset umbrellas are very versatile products that can be used for a plethora of photographic subject matters. The most common uses are on-location portraiture, fashion work, beauty shots, newborns, and weddings. They can be used in the studio but honestly, I find them to be just as efficient – if not more so – outside because you have almost complete control over what they are illuminating.

3 How to buy offset Umbrellas?

The first step is to determine the size of umbrella you need based on your subject matter. The first thing to remember with offset umbrellas is that they are measured by the diameter of the actual umbrella – not just the fabric. This means that when you purchase an offset, you have to keep in mind that it will be larger once mounted because the metal base and studs will take up additional space as well.

The next thing to consider is the fabric itself. Black or white? That’s the question I get asked most, and it’s a good one because there are benefits to both! For example, if you plan on using your umbrella with only one strobe in soft-light mode, you can get away with a white umbrella because it will have a little bit of diffusion from the fabric. On the downside, if you plan on using multiple strobes or need to use your umbrella for hard-light mode frequently, a black umbrella is a better choice. This is because a black umbrella has zero diffusion so you can create very crisp and dramatic shadows with it, as well as use it in both soft and hard-light modes.

The next step is to choose the store where you like to buy your Umbrellas. I suggest going to a local store if you have one or searching the Offset Umbrellas Sale because you need to go and see the physical product before buying it.

4. Mounting your Offset Umbrella

Mounting an umbrella is a relatively easy process but you do need to make sure that you purchase the appropriate size mounting base and studs for your umbrella. For example, if you decide to buy a smaller sized umbrella, you will need to purchase a smaller stand. This is because all offset umbrellas come equipped with mounting stands that are designed specifically for them. Understanding this concept is the key to having a successful shopping experience in regard to umbrellas.

4. How should I choose the right one?

Size is probably the most important factor in what you will want to consider when looking for your offset umbrella. The size of the metal base and corresponding hole dictates how big of an umbrella you can get and also how much control you have over it (see next section). If you are going to be outside at a distance from your subject, you’ll want to go with the largest umbrella possible. This will yield the softest light and give you more control over directing it. Smaller umbrellas can be very useful too, but they need to be up close to your subject or else they become difficult to manage. I would recommend getting a few different sizes and seeing how you like them.

5. What is the best way to use it?

A common mistake many beginners make is trying to shoot directly into the umbrella without any diffusion or reflection on their subject. The result of this is a very harsh-looking light that has little depth and dimension. To get flattering, soft light, I suggest you get some kind of diffusion material to put on the front or back of your umbrella. A simple way to achieve this is by purchasing a collapsible diffuser that attaches directly to the front of your umbrella. The more traditional method though is to just get a reflective surface for your subject to sit on so the light being emitted from the umbrella bounces off the surface and creates a nice, flattering light.

6. How long can I use it?

Just like all other props you have in your studio, an umbrella is only as good as its condition. The metal frames of umbrellas are designed to last for years if they are taken care of properly. By cleaning the metal frame and tightening the screws now and then, you can keep your umbrella in great shape for a long time. The key is to not over-tighten the metal during assembly as that will only cause the metal base or studs to warp, making them difficult to work with.

7. Cantilever Umbrellas vs. Straight Umbrellas

You often hear photographers discussing the benefits of cantilever umbrellas vs. straight umbrellas, but what does this mean? A cantilever umbrella has a bend in the middle that allows you to aim it in any direction without having any metal showing on the front side. This can be very convenient for your shots, especially if you are using multiple lights. A straight umbrella on the other hand does have metal showing on the front, but this can be helpful because it allows you to easily flag lights coming from all directions.

Cantilever umbrellas are also a great alternative to the offset umbrella and can be used in many of the same situations. They typically come in smaller sizes and yield very soft light because they do not have a metal base to work with, but this also makes them difficult to mount. The best way to use them is by either propping them up on a stand or placing a sandbag on the back to weigh it down so you can aim them in any direction.

8. What is a shoot-through umbrella?

So now that you have mastered the art of reflection umbrellas, why not take it to the next level with a shoot-through umbrella? These umbrellas are exactly the same as reflection umbrellas except for one major difference: they have a hole in front that allows you to shoot through it. Shooting through the umbrella causes the light to become very soft and uniform, eliminating harsh shadows and hot spots. These are ideal for working with your subject since they easily wrap around them for more flattering light on all sides. These are becoming more popular lately, but photographers who use them swear by their quality of light and ease of use. This is a great push-pull umbrella as well because you can quickly change the angle of the shaft to modify the power output.

Conclusion:

A great umbrella will give you an amazing quality of light that is nothing short of beautiful. Because umbrellas come in many different sizes and shapes, it can be difficult to know exactly what to look for when purchasing one. The good news is this list covers the most popular umbrellas on the market today and I suggest playing around with any of them to see which one suits your needs best. If you follow these tips and tricks, I promise that you will end up with a great-looking shot every time!