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Why I HATE Umbrella Lighting...
If you want to get me to fall a sleep, just show me some images shot with umbrella lighting. Now I am not talking Richard Avedon, because Richard Avedon did a lot more than capture images with a single umbrella, he captured a moment that is so his signature, that anyone else attempting to copy would be dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of what Avedon accomplished.
Umbrella lighting is the 'WalMart' or the 'Ford Pinto' of lighting for me. It is the horrible gig at the Holiday Inn, where some dried up ex alcoholic is attempting to make a come back singing 'I will Survive" to a bunch of totally miserable accountants congregating for their annual convention.
Umbrella light is that really bad hair do or dress that can only be seen in some totally kitsch boutique in Boise, Idaho. It is that Wedding photo that we have all grown to, ah, hmmm, Love?
It smacks of hey, I am now a photographer because I now own a couple of studio lights and have to have this because if I don't I won't be considered credible and it will impress anyone who doesn't know any better and the bigger the better types...
Ah, give me that umbrella to be very, very safe and to not upset the REAL serious photographers out there that believe that you have to have a reflector to kick in some light in to "THAT" shadow area, otherwise it is NOT a technically good image.
What is even worse is that those who MUST HAVE an umbrella, will almost certainly have a..."Da Da, a Soft-box!!!" Now THAT is really impressive. Every time I see a set up with a soft-box and the "UMBRELLA" I pop the proverbial CHUBBY and have to sit down, as to not expose by excitement.
Now, if somebody were to say to me, "Hey check out what I did with this umbrella!" that would totally blow me away, I would be so F'ing pleased. But at this point in time, I have seen nothing but flat, boring, pedestrian, predictable, unassuming, dull and flat out knock me out with a VALIUM the size of a HOCKEY PUCK images.
Hey, but who knows. Given that surprises do happen, I'm open to the possibilities.
Surprise me.
link removed, against site t&cs
....I can't begin to imagine what has triggered off this tirade!
one thing I can't really see in the rant are any reasons "why" umbrella light is bad - you've given lots of rants about why you don't like it, but noty actually said what is bad about it!
Quote: ....I can't begin to imagine what has triggered off this tirade!
one thing I can't really see in the rant are any reasons "why" umbrella light is bad - you've given lots of rants about why you don't like it, but noty actually said what is bad about it!
Well, how about, flat, uneventful, lacking contrast, pedestrian and dull. It isn't really a rant, but something one might consider when thinking about how one might light a subject.
ok
so you've had the rant - feel better now I hope - so how about giving us some alternaitves that are not flat, uneventful, lacking contrast, pedestrian and dull.
Quote: Ok
so you've had the rant - feel better now I hope - so how about giving us some alternaitves that are not flat, uneventful, lacking contrast, pedestrian and dull.
Wow...That is easy. Unfortunately I cannot link to anywhere else except, have a look at Paolo Roversi's work or Nick Knight and perhaps Stephane Sednaoui for example. You may also look at some of my stuff that is posted here. None of which was umbrella lighting.
looking at others work is all well and good, but that doesn't help someone learn about other forms of lighting.
are you just sounding off, or looking to help people on EPZ, in this thread?
Well if not links could you at least explain how you would go about how you would set up, even upload a pic or two one of the set up and one of the results?
I have a light umbrella?
Seriously, you are clearly an experienced photographer with a particular style which involves control at each stage of the process.
Whilst I don't generally take portraits etc. I would be interested in more explanation about lighting and why that particular type is prone to produce bland shots. What do you use? It is something I would like more understanding of.
(And a well constructed rant is always entertaining!)
All I want everyone to do is not rely on what people say is where one should begin when purchasing a lighting kit. I like many did not know any better when I started and purchased the standard kit and until that all changed my professional standing was static.
This post is NOT meant to be insulting, it is meant to shift your paradigm slightly, no more no less.
Quote: This post is NOT meant to be insulting, it is meant to shift your paradigm slightly, no more no less
Good answer. 
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