Plain white umbrellas can be used either way, cheap ones can be had off of ebay to get you started, also cheap gold and silver reflective ones if you want to play about a bit more before deciding which type you prefer to buy more expensive versions of..
These work pretty well and are reasonable umbrella/hotshoe mounts.
I put them on these light stands, which are pretty cheap, reasonably strong, and highly portable. MAKE SURE YOU CRANK DOWN THE LOCKS THAT EXTEND THEM THOUGH. They feel tight before they really are, IMO. I also have a stronger Manfrotto that isn't as compact, but they discontinued that model, so I'm not in a good position to suggest something else. I think it was about $60 though.
These umbrellas are reasonable, compact, and work for most things. Wouldn't use them for large groups, you'll need a bigger umbrella. They're sorta flimsy, but most/all umbrellas are. Mine have taken a few tumbles in wind/shaky ground and they're still kickin' fine. They can be used as a shoot through or a reflected, plus you can partially detach the cover and use them like that, as well. Careful locking down the shafts in the mounts- they crimp easily.
You will want atleast two. If you decide to go with just the one, I suggest (for future proofing) get something that can extend out as a boom.
If you decide to go with two, you can double up your second for clamshell setups or go with that hair/rim light in the back via something a bit more directed than the umbrella - personally i think umbrella is very usable in specific conditions.
even lighting of small groups from left and right can be achieved with two .
you can attach a clamp or two to your one lightstand to hold up reflectors as well.
If you get just the one, i think good placement a hefty camera bag can double as a sandbag in the begining. I use a bag of rice...not sure if its bad but it doesn't smell bad and i paid like 4 bucks for it -.-
im just questioning whether i want to build decent single stand or go chap and get two. Do i need to umbrellas or will one mainly be enough?
i just want it for simple portrait/still life photography.
I hate umbrellas for still lifes because the light isn't diffused enough and those pesky octagonal highlights. I much prefer a softbox, but maybe that's a holdover from my product shooting days.
im just questioning whether i want to build decent single stand or go chap and get two. Do i need to umbrellas or will one mainly be enough?
i just want it for simple portrait/still life photography.
I only have two light stands and I always feel like I need at least one more. I seldom need more then one umbrella, and never more than two. But the stands are great for holding bounce cards or a just a speedlight with a grid on it to highlight something.
I think my next investment will probably be a boom stand. Getting light directly over anything is difficult bordering on impossible with a normal light stand.
i stopped at the local shop on Friday. i picked up a cheap stand and umbrella bracket and the guy there talked me into a bounce flash umbrella as opposed to a shoot through.
tried it over the weekend.
i love it.
i dont know why i wasted so much time and effort in the past fooling around with cheap lighting. the pictures had pop, they were crisp and the light was just plain beautiful.
i still need a ton of practice but this is going to be fun. My "For Dallas" entry came out just as i envisioned it. First time that ever happened.
Awesome! Glad you're enjoying the lighting.
I'll be picking up something similar, but not in time for the challenge.
[jealous] I just came up with my concept for the Dallas challenge today, I hope i can pull off what i'm thinking... and honestly a lighting stand like that would help a LOT for my thoughts. :) [/jealous]
