Nikonian Academy : Who needs umbrella?
One of my biggest joy in teaching at Nikonian Academy is the Nikon CLS class. Love it. We always get amazing results from our participants and students.
However, my biggest hate has to be using the umbrella as the light modifier. Not because of the result of the photos; umbrella produces one of the best results any multi-light photographer can ask for. I dislike using umbrella for my CLS class because of this:
- my top hate reason: we shoot outdoor CLS a lot. Umbrella outdoor is bad recipe,.... it catches wind, and the whole light-stand plus the Nikon flash will be flown-away by the wind, like a sail ship. When that happens, the umbrella ribs will surely break and the SB800 flashes? Well, they will be sent back to Nikon for repair, to say the least.
- Umbrella gets dirty easily, because it's white. Men + White stuffs = dirty (got it?)
- Umbrella is cumbersome to work with,... we nearly poke out an eye or two during our classes. (READ: risk of potential lawsuit from our innocent students)
- Expensive, and they do have a lifespan, we seldom get to use an umbrella more than 1 year.
In short, umbrella is super indoor,... but not outdoor.
I found a solution, finally. Now, take a look at these two photos below, and tell me which is done with a Profoto 600W (on a softbox) and which is done with a Nikon SB800 without an umbrella?
PICTURE A: Model credit: Yee Yew of SGXFaces - zero post processing. Shot by Nikonian trainer, Izham using a Nikon D700.
These series of photos were shot during Izham's photo review of the new Nikon D700.
PICTURE B: Model credit: Yee Yew. Photo shot by me, using the new Nikon D700. Zero post processing too.
Now, tell me,... which is done with a Nikon SB600 set to Manual power of 1/2? Without using an umbrella! I have found an alternative... let me share.
Answer: Picture B. (Picture A was shot using two units of Profoto 600W)
No umbrella? No softbox? Nope... Look below!
I used a LumiQuest Big Bounce difussion flap! This attachment cost RM170 (yes, you can get it from our Nikonian Academy store).
It's almost the same price of a branded umbrella, but hey,... it's WILL NEVER catch wind outdoor!
No more broken Nikon Speedlights! No more using sandbangs to weigh down my light stands.
No more having an lighting assistant holding on to the lightstand to prevent it from falling over.
No more dirty umbrella.
No more poking out participants' eyes. *phew*
Here's a closer look at the set...
Anyway, do remember this, shooting using umbrella will still produce better results, since it will convert our Speedlights into larger and softer light sources.
But I am choosing Lumiquest Big Bounce against an umbrella only on quick-and-dirty outdoor shoots. I notice using Lumiquest will always produce a somewhat flat, though flattering, broad light. This sort of lighting may not be suitable for all subjects or shoots concepts.
Credit:
Izham, Nikonian Trainer
Yee Yew, model from SGXFaces
Michelle Chan, stylist and make-up, from SGXFaces
Nikon D700, courtesy of Nikon Malaysia
Nikon SB900 Speedlight, courtesy of Nikon Malaysia
This pro-tip is written by Andrew Boey, the Director Of Academy for Nikonian Academy.
Andrew specializes in beauty portraiture and his favorite lighting technique has to be the Nikon CLS.
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