Umbrellas soften, broaden, and diminish the light output of any tungsten or flash light source. Umbrellas with a white interior will soften and weaken light more than an umbrella with a silver lining. A white umbrella without a black backing may also be used as a makeshift softbox, although the use of the light will not be as efficient as with a lightbox.
Choosing umbrella size is determined by the size of the subject, and the strength of the light supply being used. Choosing an umbrella surface is as subjective as choosing a paint and brush.
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Most Liked Positive Review
Great umbrella
I bought this large umbrella to be able to photograph groups (maybe 2-4 persons) and this one does it really well. I only had a small umbrella which was only good enough for...Read complete review
I bought this large umbrella to be able to photograph groups (maybe 2-4 persons) and this one does it really well. I only had a small umbrella which was only good enough for one person. This one covers quite a large area and I absolutely love it. I´ve used it outside and inside and I absolutely love the results. It gives a smooth soft lighting and the build quality is quite good. Very good umbrella. I haven´t discovered any downside yet.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Decent umbrella
I use this with 400 dlite. The black removable cover is good and the umbrella look strong enough. But my bad luck, first time when I received it was broken by UPS. I ...Read complete review
I use this with 400 dlite. The black removable cover is good and the umbrella look strong enough. But my bad luck, first time when I received it was broken by UPS. I returned that. The next one I got had one of support connection broken. I use it as it is. I can live with that until the Octo.
Reviewed by 93 customers
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Great umbrella at a great price
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I would give it no stars if possible. I have probably used this umbrella 10 to 15 times and have had two of the cross-ribs come apart from the main support ribs and one of the caps to attach the black backing fall off and get lost. I am careful and gentile with my equipment, so it was not user abuse. I do not recall if I have ever written a review here, but I was upset enough after the second cross-rib broke that I had to say something. Westcott has lost my further business. It was really unfortunate, becuase this umbrella casts nice light.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
So far, I have used this umbrella for a few child portriats and I tried it out on some product shots. Softens the light very nicely.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Awesome!!! No complaints
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Love to be able to adjust lighting simply by pulling the black layer back in certain areas.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I have a small photography business that I started a while back. Since I only live in an apartment, this umbrella fits just right and gives me the quality photos I have been looking for.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Built in quality is not the best but it is a good umbrella overall.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I bought this large umbrella to be able to photograph groups (maybe 2-4 persons) and this one does it really well. I only had a small umbrella which was only good enough for one person. This one covers quite a large area and I absolutely love it. I´ve used it outside and inside and I absolutely love the results. It gives a smooth soft lighting and the build quality is quite good. Very good umbrella. I haven´t discovered any downside yet.
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Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
The 60" umbrella worked very well for group pictures. Exposure was uniform. Remember that 60" applies to the distance along the ribs. The diameter from one end to the other is ~48". Have not tried to use it without the black cover yet.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
This umbrella is lightweight and works well. The construction is decent- not heavy duty, but not flimsy either. Like anything else, treat it with care and it will last indefinitely. I used it for a wedding where I had to make high quality portraits of families in very little time. I bounced two speedlights into the umbrella. The quality of light was very good. The plastic sleeve is good for protection from lightstands in my travel case.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Great for spreading the light, easy to use.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
This 60 inch umbrella measures 56 inches across the "face", much better than the Westcott 60 inch's 50 inch width (they're both 60 inches over the arch. It's also better built than the Westcott IMO, with fiberglass ribs. It's a great big soft light source.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Just what I needed to spread the light!
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
This is great for shooting groups of people of full body portraits. It is easy to set. I primarily use it as a shoot-through. The cover is easy to remove.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
Excellent product at a good price, highly recommended
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
take off the cover, use it as a shoot-thru, and you can get really, really close for great, soft light that wraps around your subject.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I've used it with the black cover and shoot-through using the Canon Speedlite 430EX wirelessly. It works just as well as I expected it to. I decided to pick one up after watching the OneLight Photography DVD. I've tried out the various ways and have no complaints about it.
Using it outside, I would recommend weighting it down with a sandbag. Mine toppled over on the first day and two of the umbrella "arms" bent and can't be fixed. Surprisingly it still works.
No complaints. Considering getting another just because it's a pain sometimes to switch from shoot-through to the black reflective mode.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I had been contemplating purchasing light modifiers but was overwhelmed and confused by all the choices available. Going back and forth for almost a year I finally decided on Westcott 60" umbrella. Super easy to use and extremely versatile.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
This umbrella has nice soft coverage with a hotshoe flash, but mine showed up damaged. I needed to use it right away, so I didn't have time to send it back. The shaft bends under it's own weight, and the quality is subpar.
If I was to order another umbrella, I'd go with the Photoflex.
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Comments about Westcott Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Cover - 60":
I love this umbrella for quick setups. It's big, lightweight, and easy to convert for shoot-through applications. Seems to be built well enough to withstand a fair amount of use.
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