When we think of umbrellas, we usually picture a rainy day, but the truth is that a good umbrella can be a photographer’s best friend in more ways than one. The wrong umbrella can leave you soaked and disappointed, but the right one can add just the right amount of light to your images. We researched the most popular options on the market to help you find the perfect one for you.
Keep reading to learn more about photographic lighting umbrellas, including how to choose the right one for your needs.
Our Editor’s Best Photographic Lighting Umbrellas Reviews
- 🔅 【Contents】 (2 x) 33-inch White Umbrella / (2 x) 33-inch Black & Silver Umbrella / (3 x) LED 35W Bulb & Socket / (2 x) 83-inch Light Stand / (1 x) 30-inch Light Stand / (5 x) Cable Tie Strap / (1 x) Bulb Bag & Carry Bag Case
- 🔅 【Enhanced LED】 3,000 Lumen Super Bright LED / 6,500K Color Temperture for Neutral Day Light / Color Rendering Index > 95–90 / Energy-saving Spiral Bulb Design / Minimized Light Loss, Maximized Light Efficiency
- 🔅 【Quality Umbrellas】 White Umbrella with Soft Texture Spreads Light so Evenly & Creates Subtle, Soft, and Diffused Light Effect / Black Umbrella for Dramatic Concentrative Highlight Effect with Maximum Reflection
- 🔅 【Light Bulb Sockets】 UL Listed Safety Proven Bulb Socket with Umbrella Install Lock / 11 feet Cabel Length Upgraded for Convenient Use and Flexible Positioning, Compared to 8 feet Long Market Standard
- 🔅 【Sturdy Light Stands】 83 inch Tall Light Stand with Easy Height-adjustable, 1/4 in. Metal Stud on Top, Highly Compatible and Flexible with Any Light Mounting / 30 ft. Tall Mini Light Stand for Low Positioning Light
- (2) x 45W Energy Saving Daylight CFL Continuous Light Bulb: 5500K/Max Energy Saving up to 80%. (2) x Single Head Photo Lighting Lamp Holder E26, E27 Standard Screw Base
- 2 x 33"/84cm White Translucent Umbrella can soften, broaden and diffuse the light output of any tungsten or studio flash source
- 2 x 33"/84cm Black Reflector Umbrella,reflects all light sources while maximizing light spread
- (2) x 86'' Photography Light Stand, height adjustable (Min 33'' – Max 86'').
- The Professional Umbrella Lighting kit is perfect for advertising products, photo-art, photo-Portrait,industrial, scientific and technical photography, ROHS and CE Certificate.
![[2 Pack] Photography Umbrella Lighting Kit Reflector,43' Black/Silver Reflector Umbrella Kit for Contrast, Concentrative Light,Studio/Outdoor Photo and Video Lighting Accessories (2 * 43' Black)…](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31f2EvqawyL._SL160_.jpg)
- 【Kit Includes】2x 43inch/84cm Silver and Black Reflective Umbrella
- 【Black/Silver Reflective Umbrella】Features a silver inner lining to evenly distribute light, minimizing loss and maximizing contrast and highlights. The black outer lining blocks unwanted light for precise control.
- 【Material and Design】Crafted from high-quality silver reflective & black nylon material with an aluminum shaft,ensuring durability and ease of use.
- 【Enhance Your Photography】The silver and black reflective umbrellas evenly spread soft light while offering contrast and highlights. Ideal for portatraits & object product shooting.
- 【Portable and convenient】The umbrellas are designed to be easy to use and carry, making them perfect for on-the-go photographers.
![BRITEK [2 Pack] Professional Studio 32' (80cm) Black + White Reflector Umbrella w/Protective Sleeve, Metal Parts for Portrait Video Flash Photography](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EydaBzR1L._SL160_.jpg)
- [ LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE ] – This 32” (80cm) Black + White Studio Lighting Umbrella is ultra-lightweight weighing only 13.1 oz. It also features an ultra-compact design: when the umbrella is closed, it measures only 25”. Its weight and size, along with an included Protective Sleeve with Velcro and Carrying Hole, you can store this reflector umbrella anywhere and carry this umbrella wherever.
- [ 100% ZERO LIGHT LEAKS ] – Our competitions’ umbrellas often have light leaks in the umbrella seams and where the metal is attached to the fabric. Britek 32” Black + White Reflector Umbrella is double stitched along the metal ribs with overlaying fabrics to ensure 100% Zero Light Leaks.
- [ QUALITY THICK REFLECTIVE FABRIC ] – Britek’s photography umbrellas never compromise on quality. Instead of the thin and flimsy fabrics you’ll find with our competitors’ umbrellas, you’ll find thick, quality textured nylon reflective fabric with our Britek 32” Black + White Photography Umbrella.
- [ 7mm CONTOURED SHAFT TIP ] – With the standard 8mm shaft tip, it’s difficult to push your reflector umbrella shaft through umbrella holes. Britek’s reflector umbrellas feature a contoured shaft with an entry diameter of 7mm widening to the standard 8mm for simple and easy reflector umbrella inserts.
- [ INCLUDED PROTECTIVE SLEEVE ] – Don’t settle for the generic brands that don’t have protective sleeves! Britek’s Reflector Umbrellas come with a portable Protective Sleeve with Velcro and Carrying Hole so you can keep your reflector umbrella clean and protect it from the elements. The Carrying Hole allows you to hang your reflector umbrella on your backpack, your gear or any hook for easy transportation or storage.
- Complete studio lighting kit for portrait photography or video recording
- The Professional Umbrella Lighting kit is to provide prefect shooting light, to satisfy high requirement of shooting light
- (3) x 45W 5500K Energy-Saving lamps Continuous Photography (CFL) (3) x single-head support lamp
- (2) x 83 inch and (1) x 33 inch photographic light holder
- 1 bulb transport bag. 1 sturdy transport housing. Store the entire tool kit
- ✅70 inches / 180cm in diameter, great for professional large advertising Portrait / Product Photography use.
- ✅Made of High Quality Nylon Construction,Works well to diffuse the light from any flash/Strobe light and constant light.
- ✅White reflective internal face and Black back side.
- ✅Easy to set up,Reflect and Spread light stream evenly,Eliminate glare and spots.
- 【Powerful Studio Lighting Kit】 This kit offers two 24W LED bulbs and one 26W RGB LED Bulb. Each 24W LED bulb is equivalent to a 200W incandescent light bulb for bright and consistent light output, with 5700K color temperature for natural and balanced daylight to your shots. The App controlled 26W RGB LED bulb features 9 effects, 400lux/m, 2700K-6500K color temperature, high CRI 93+, and TLCI 98+, creating more dramatic scenes in photography
- 【Adjustable Metal Light Stands】 3 light stands are included. 2 high light stands with 3 sections offer a maximum height of 83" (210cm), and the short light stand with 2 sections can extend to 43.3" (110cm) for lighting in low positions. E26 light bulb sockets are included, and 11' (336cm) prolonged cables let you deploy the lighting easily
- 【Umbrellas for Light Reflection & Diffusion】 33" black umbrellas with silver interiors are useful for light bouncing and reflection, and white translucent umbrellas can soften the light source and spread it with even distribution
- 【Effortless Cable Management】 5 cable ties allow you to secure the cables on the light stands with touch fasteners for convenient and tidy cable management
- 【Portable & Protective Bags】 2 carrying bags are included. The big bag accommodates light stands, umbrellas, and cable ties, and the small bag safely stores 3 LED bulbs to avoid collision and breakage
- 【Photography Lighting Kit】This Photo Studio Umbrella Light provides excellent level of day light, not only get a good soft light in your shooting, but also makes the pictures/videos looking so professional.
- 【Kit Includes】(1) x 45W 5500K Energy Saving Light Bulb+(1) x 33'' Diameter Translucent/White Umbrella Reflector+(1) x 83''/7ft Photography Light Stand+(1) x Umbrella Holder.
- 【Photo CFL Bulb】45W(equals to 200W Incandescent Light), 5500K, 110V-130V, E26 screw base, energy saving compact fluorescent light - saves energy up to 80%, daylight/pure White.
- 【Photography Umbrella Reflector】33'' Diameter, Translucent/White. Made of high quality nylon, durable and solid construction. Help to soften and spread the light, not longer harsh light when you photography or filming as well as no shadows on the background.
- 【Photography Light Stand】Height adjustable (Min 28'' – Max 83''). Metal construction - made of Aluminum Alloy, light weight & portable but sturdy & stable. Standard 1/4" screws on the top for most photo accessories, not any wobbly at all even though attaches heavy camera and flash.
- Kit Include: 2* 33"/84cm White Translucent Soft Diffuser; 1* Bag
- The light soft umbrella can make light more even, gentle, exquisite, hard skeleton provides enough support for umbrella, suitable for many kinds of studio flash shooting.
- The Umbrella made of high-density nylon material and metal frame.
- Easy to use and easy to carry wherever you need them
- The Lighting Umbrella surface diameter is 33"/84cm, with wide range of applications, suitable for portrait or product photography.
- Contents: [ x 1] 33" Tri-Fold Translucent White Soft Umbrella, [ x 1] Carry Bag
- [ Travel Size Translucent Umbrella ] 33"-> 9.75" Easy to Pack / 3-Fold Design Ultra-Compact White Translucent Soft Umbrella. (Included the Carry Bag)
- Umbrellas soften, broaden, and diminish the light output of any flash light source. Umbrellas with a white interior will soften light more than an umbrella with a silver lining.
- Professional Collapsible Translucent White Soft Umbrella will be suitable for photographers of all levels of experience and improve effect in portrait photography, shooting video or product photography, and so on.
- [ Spread out Even Light ] White translucent umbrellas are used as an inexpensive and effective way to spread out light. The best type of lighting modifier.
Best Photographic Lighting Umbrellas Buying Guide
Before choosing the best photographic lighting umbrellas you should consider following options:
1. Size: The most important factor to keep in mind when choosing a photographic umbrella is size.
Unfortunately, the standard umbrellas that you buy at the local hardware store are not suitable for photography use. You will need a larger umbrella to create a sufficient amount of diffused light.
In general, the recommended size is 40-inch. This measurement is equivalent to a standard umbrella, which is convenient for carrying and storing.
It also ensures that the lighting effect is softer than with smaller umbrellas, which can cause harsh shadows.
2. Shape: Another important factor to consider when choosing a photographic umbrella is the shape.
As you probably know, umbrellas come in various designs.
Some have rounded tops, while others have flat tops. In addition to their shape, umbrellas can be categorized based on the number of panels.
A standard umbrella has one panel, whereas a 42-inch umbrella typically has two panels.
Three-panel umbrellas have a more intense lighting effect. Keep in mind that umbrellas with more panels take up more space and are harder to carry.
3. Durability: Photographic umbrellas are subject to heavy use, so it’s important to choose a model that’s durable.
The best umbrellas are made of ripstop nylon and come with a double-riveted steel shaft.
These materials ensure that the umbrella can handle the constant opening and closing of the shaft as well as the wind.
In addition to durability, it’s also important to consider how easy the umbrella is to carry. If you’re going to be working in a location that’s far from your car, you’ll want to have an easy-to-carry model with you.
4. Cost: Photographic umbrellas are typically expensive, although there are some affordable options on the market.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for a small, collapsible umbrella that you can carry with you.
What else you should know about photographic lighting umbrellas
1. What are the best lighting umbrellas for photography?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the best lighting umbrella for photography will vary depending on the specific needs of the photographer. However, some of the best lighting umbrellas on the market include the Westcott Rapid Box Octa XXL, the Profoto RFi 1×1′ Octa Softbox, and the Phottix Indra500 TTL Studio Light.
2. What are the benefits of using an umbrella for photography lighting?
Some benefits of using an umbrella for photography lighting are that it can create a soft, diffused light; it can be used to bounce light off of the ceiling or walls to create a more subtle light; and it can be used to create a backlight by placing the umbrella behind the subject.
3. How do you set up photographic lighting umbrellas?
Photographic lighting umbrellas can be set up in a variety of ways, depending on the desired effect. For a traditional studio setup, the umbrella is placed above the camera, pointing down at the subject. The light is then bounced off the umbrella and onto the subject, providing a soft, diffused light.
4. What are the different types of photographic lighting umbrellas?
There are several types of photographic lighting umbrellas, including:
-White umbrellas: These umbrellas reflect light and are often used as a main or key light.
-Black umbrellas: These umbrellas absorb light and are often used as a fill light or to create shadows.
-Silver umbrellas: These umbrellas reflect light and create a bright, specular highlight. They are often used as a hair light or accent light.
-Translucent umbrellas: These umbrellas diffuse light and are often used as a softbox.
5. How do you choose the right size umbrella for your photographic lighting needs?
You need to take into account the power of the light source, the size of the area you need to cover, and the distance from the light source to the subject.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best photographic lighting umbrellas. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best photographic lighting umbrellas will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.