Photography Umbrellas & Accessories

Umbrellas & Accessories

Whether you’re using a constant studio light or a photographic strobe or speedlight, photographic umbrellas are a popular option for modifying and enhancing the quality of your lighting. 

Let’s take a look at some important facts to know as you shop for umbrellas and accessories.

Benefits of Using an Umbrella

Direct light from a strobe or constant light often has hard shadows resulting in an unflattering look for your photographic subjects. Fortunately, umbrellas are among the easiest lighting modifiers to use. Just open the umbrella and attach it to your light with an umbrella mount, and you’ll instantly soften shadows and improve the look of your lighting.

Umbrellas are among the most popular lighting modifiers because they are exceedingly compact, portable, and versatile. Use a white umbrella as a shoot-through modifier, or for indirect, reflected lighting.

Once you invest in a set of umbrellas, you can use them with larger studio lights or compact speedlights for photoshoots on location. 

Photographic Umbrellas

Photographic umbrellas come in a wide range of sizes from a compact 20-inch model (ideal for product photography and table-top work) to 84-inch umbrellas that you can use for automotive photography, group portraits, and other large subjects.

If you’re in the market for a new umbrella, there are a few key configurations to know. Some models are convertible, meaning that you can use them as a shoot through modifier or as a reflector dish. Some models are white while others are silver for a cool cast, or gold for a warm cast.

Different umbrellas are ideal for different scenarios, so many photographers choose convertible umbrellas to ensure maximum functionality.

Umbrella Accessories

Once you settle on the ideal umbrella, there are a few helpful accessories to add to your setup. You can attach an umbrella mount to any light stand. They’re helpful for positioning your umbrella with any type of studio lighting.

Umbrella panels fit over the umbrella opening to further modify the lighting. Black umbrella panels help absorb stray light so you can avoid lens flare, while transparent or white diffusion panels further soften the light reflected from your umbrella.

Top Brands for Umbrellas and Accessories

When choosing the ideal umbrellas and accessories for your studio lighting needs, a few top brands provide reliable materials, streamlined designs, and an attractive result. Brands like Godox, Photoflex, Photogenic, Profoto, and Westcott are popular choices for great photographic products. 

Investing in these and other great brands ensures that your umbrellas and accessories will last longer and perform better from one shoot to the next.