Focus On Lighting Photos Focus on the Fundamentals.pdf

A black-backed umbrella is
sometimes useful when we
work in tight spaces. These
umbrellas may be white or silver
on the inside, but the outside
is covered by a second layer of
black cloth. This keeps light from
going through the umbrella and
reflecting from walls and other
surfaces. The black cloth is easily
removable if we want those
additional reflections. This is
the best umbrella to have, but
it is also the most expensive.
Few amateurs will find it worth
the cost. Still, it’s good to know
about, because we can improvise
the same effect with a piece of
black cloth paper clipped to the
back of our white umbrella.
The circular reflector
The circular reflector has a piece
of silvered cloth stretched over a
plastic frame. The plastic frame
can be twisted into a figure-8
and then folded to half its
original diameter. This reflector
also comes with a carrying case.
So what’s its advantage over
the silver foam-core reflector we
already know how to make and
much less expensively?
The advantage is more stability
in wind. Cloth allows some air
to blow through it: paper and
plastic blow over to the ground
more easily.
Folded circular reflector.
Tools: Now We Have Light, but How Do We Get It under Control? 39