Do you use umbrellas for for group photos during weddings?

[haring]

Do you use umbrellas for for group photos during weddings? Do you have a before (without the umbrella setup) and after (with umbrella) shot so we can see the difference?

[Daniel W.]

I can probably tell you most won't have a before/after shot because group shots are one of those "hurry up faster faster faster" kind of things but here's my thought:

Umbrellas for the most part spread light in a wide pattern, based on size, in the direction they're aimed. With a group shot, the aim is to get as wide and even light across the group as possible, which, short of setting up a large reflector panel, can be done. Because the umbrella is a diffused source with no barn-doors or grids to focus the light, it just spreads. The softened light is also flattering across various faces.

A direct flash will have much harder-edged shadows because it is a smaller light source, and thanks to the inverse square law, is more likely to show apparent fall off of light (bright in the front dark in the back) more dramatically than an umbrella. (The umbrella will also have light falloff but given that it is a larger diffused source, it will be less dramatic than the direct flash). Yes, it will be more powerful than putting the flash through the umbrella but the quality of light is diminished.

I use a studio pack and head at 400w/s inside an 60" umbrella softbox (silver panels with a white diffuser) for groups up to 20-30, anything more I'll set up two umbrellas at 45º left and right

[williamkazak]

I tried the two umbrellas, left and right, and it was the best setup. You might need a place to plugin if you are using your studio strobes. It takes time to setup, so consider having it on the side waiting to roll out with lightstands on wheels.

[groovyone]

I also did the umbrellas. I did not have time to experiment, so I went for an even spread with the L/R setup.

[scottalanphoto]

you can get a 60 inch impact umbrella on b&h.com for like 30 bucks.... I shot a group of 14 last night and it came out fine...

[haring]

How long does it usually take to set it up? I shoot alone.

[pbyd]

I use a Norman 200c with Pocket Wizard built in and yes I do use an Umbrella. It takes just min.'s to put up and take down.

Wayne
www.pbyd.com

[scottalanphoto]

I use Alien Bees and the cyber sync system
I put my Alien Bee on a light stand (30ish seconds maybe)
Put the umbrella thru the hole in the strobe (30ish seconds maybe)
Postion the umbrealla and strobe accordingly (maybe a minute)
Get some light meter readings and check the shot on the back of the camera (maybe a minute or minute and a half)

[haring]

Thanks! I opted for umbrellas. They are easier and faster to set up...

[duronboy]

I'm too lazy to read all the way though, and I'm sure the OP is going to use umbrellas based on the last post. But, I'm here to say that one should never, ever shoot a group with hard light. Not even once. I spent days fixing group shots I did with hard light, one time. Even a 33" P.O.S. umbrella would have saved me. I actually had an umbrella, but it was too windy. I was determined to use flash, but I should have just done ambient light.

[Oliver]

To do monthly shoots of two grand children, I set up an indoor studio and purchased: Two Calumet Genesis 200 w/s strobes, background stand, 107" background seamless paper in both black and white, and use umbrellas (fast setup and take-down). Light stands are on casters. I use a third Calumet 200 w/s light on short stand (not on casters) to light up the white background. I shoot tethered using Lightroom3 (see my post of today on same topic) using my Nikon D300. Just purchased tethered table for the laptop. Photos come out fantastic. Many say the soft box gives a "softer" look. I can't tell the difference and must admit, the umbrellas are FAST (as stated above) setup and take-down. Oh, forgot to mention, I also use the Nikon wireless trigger (transmitter and receiver) that Calumet sells.......to trigger the strobes; this eliminates a wire that always used to fall out of my camera when shooting. And, one less wire on the floor is a "good" thing.