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08/06/2009 10:20:55 AM · #1 |
The Umbrella Light (Brolly) Controversy
I never would have expected that sharing my "GENERALIST" view of a lighting technique could cause such a stir. In fact it was based on a personal preference only and was NOT written for any other reason but to challenge you to think about the why and how one might consider the tool they wish to employ for a certain effect.
Now in reading many of the responses to my essay, it seems that I could perhaps give greater clarification to what I stated.
When ever there are adverts for lighting kits, they are generally shown sold with a soft box and an umbrella or two. So I can understand where the "Got it with the kit. May as well use it..." conditioning comes from. Personally, I find that rather unfortunate,as this inadvertently sets up a mind set about what studio lighting is and in my opinion falsely represents. I would prefer if flash heads, continuous lighting kits and mono blocks were just sold as is and the client could then be informed of the optional accessories available and what they can produce as a result of using them.
An umbrella is in fact a very interesting utility if understood and applied creatively. Like all light modifiers, they create an ambiance that is unique to the manner it diffuses light. I recently saw an illustration that made me laugh. It was showing how to set up an umbrella and the distance from the light source. It showed the light source close to the center of the umbrella with a "No No" sign next to it and then another far from the center of the light source with another "No No" sign next to it. Finally hey showed what they considered the proper placement of the light source within the umbrella. That was a "Yes Yes" sign. All of that is utter nonsense, as there is NO proper placement. It all depends on how concentrated the light source you want will be.
Lighting is a very complex art form and to master it takes several life times in my opinion. There are absolutely "ZERO" rules about how to light and what is correct or incorrect. If what you are attempting to do or NOT works out as desired or as a pleasant surprise, that is what it is all about. Hopefully you will have logged how you attained that pleasant mistake, so that you can replicate it again.
What is more important than the umbrella, light-box, snoot, bowl, opalite, kino light etc., is the capturing of an image that is poignant, powerful and meaningful. The tool you captured it with is meaningless if what you captured leaves a lasting impression on those viewing it.
//www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/?p=1135
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08/06/2009 10:42:00 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by benjikan:
The Umbrella Light (Brolly) Controversy
So I can understand where the "Got it with the kit. May as well use it..." conditioning comes from. |
The problem with your post was mostly in your tone, partially in substance or how you did or didn't make your point.
When you use words like "conditioning" they come off as pejorative and you will quickly be met with deaf ears. Umbrella's do work and that's why people use them, however un-artistic they may be...which I assume is the thrust of your posts...?
In short, you challenged people and failing to make your point they challenged you back. Fair is fair.
Message edited by author 2009-08-06 10:43:19. |
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08/06/2009 10:49:32 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by benjikan:
It showed the light source close to the center of the umbrella with a "No No" sign next to it and then another far from the center of the light source with another "No No" sign next to it. Finally hey showed what they considered the proper placement of the light source within the umbrella. That was a "Yes Yes" sign. All of that is utter nonsense, as there is NO proper placement. It all depends on how concentrated the light source you want will be. |
I agree with you, but for lighting newbies like myself, what they were illustrating was probably a good rule of thumb placement. (Like the "rule" of thirds, which we know is just a suggestion) Telling a beginner to "just do what works best" often does not help much. Once I can make it work with the rule of thumb, then I can start break the rules and try to apply it more creatively. |
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08/06/2009 12:59:20 PM · #4 |
I may be a little slow this morning, but I'm really curious to find out where you offered your initial opinion and cannot seem to find it. I am very curious to read what was said.
I was about to jump into a lecture about how flexible umbrellas can be if you simply throw away the instructions and watch the light that can be made with them... but I looked at the photography on your blog and you clearly don't need advice from me.
I will add that most of the lighting techniques shown in how-to book and product documentation is aimed at very traditional portrait techniques. This would be the same basic technique applied at department store photo studios and perhaps a number of traditional local studios as well. Main umbrella goes here, fill umbrella goes here, hair light goes here and maybe toss some light on a tacky background. Maybe a lot of people are happy with that... I don't know. But... the one thing I think that photographers like yourself can do is influence people to step beyond the standard approach and really focus on the human element of their work.
Enough said for now.... where is the conversation that cause the controversy? |
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08/06/2009 01:11:28 PM · #5 |
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08/06/2009 01:25:50 PM · #6 |
Thanks! I actually didn't find the original post at all controversial, so I'm a little bummed.
I will point out the boring and/or horrible light can be made with just about any light modifier. I spent 3 hours last night with a beauty dish moving it around and saying "that still sucks". |
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08/06/2009 01:51:14 PM · #7 |
Thanks for taking the time and effort to post this.
Welcome to DP Challenge, home of photographers who are forum Nazis........8>)
You'll find us quite pleasant and amusing 'long as you don't poke us in the eye with a pointy object!......8>)
Then we get MEAN!! LOL!!! |
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08/07/2009 01:47:03 AM · #8 |
[quote]There are absolutely "ZERO" rules about how to light and what is correct or incorrect. If what you are attempting to do or NOT works out as desired or as a pleasant surprise, that is what it is all about.[/quote]
See, you vented on a single lighting modifier and they (hypocritically) went ballistic and nerd-raged on poor use of said modifier and then posted the above quote here.
I don't care if you want to rag on the umbrella, or a soft-box, or someone shooting through a plastic garbage bag ... but it shows a definitive elitism and lack of creativity because you refuse to consider the "low-brow solution." You then project that out in your post and offended many people for NO reason other than, perhaps, to justify your own use of "other" modifiers.
An umbrella is just a tool. Tools may be misused, or used well. As such, your post attacked the users more than tool.
Regardless, your rant was unneeded, unwarrented and rather juvenile.
I don't know what your original intentions, but furthering this by trying to justify it here is probably not the correct route. A simple apology and then a let-it-die mentality would suffice, IMO.
-Mike
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