Introduction to thePortable Studio
A portable studio should include, but
should not be limited to at least one
Speedlight, a reflector of some sort to fill in
the harsh shadows created by strobes, an
umbrella or softbox to soften the light for a
more pleasing effect, and one or more light
stands.
Ideally, your portable studio has at least two
or more Speedlights, depending on the
types of subjects you shoot. Also handy, but
not absolutely necessary for all subjects, are
backgrounds and background stands.
Although I recommend using a
professional reflector disk, you
can use lots of different items as
a reflector. White foam board
(available at any art supply
store) works particularly well. In
a pinch almost anything white
or silver works— a lid from a
Styrofoam cooler or even a
white t-shirt.
Choosing Umbrellas
Photographic umbrellas are basically the
same as an umbrella you would use to
keep the raindrops from falling on your
head, but photographic umbrellas are
coated with a material to maximize reflec-
tivity. Photographic umbrellas are used to
diffuse and soften the light that is emitted
from the light source, be it continuous or
strobe lighting.
If you are already familiar with the various
pieces of studio photography equipment,
you likely already know that umbrellas do
the same thing that a softbox does. What
you may not know is that umbrellas are
more affordable and are easier to use than
softboxes, as an accessory for your Nikon
Speedlight. (This isn’t to say, though, that
softboxes aren’t useful— they are.)
There are three types of umbrellas to
choose from:
✦Standard. The most common type
of umbrella has a black outside
with the inside coated with a
reflective material that is usually
silver or gold in color. These are
designed so that you point the
Speedlight into the umbrella and
bounce the light onto the subject,
resulting in a non-directional soft
light source.
✦Shoot-through. Some umbrellas
are manufactured out of a one
piece translucent silvery nylon that
enables you to shoot through the
umbrella, such as a softbox. You
can also use this type of umbrella
to bounce the light, as mentioned
previously.
Tip
88 Part II ✦Creating Great Photos with the Creative Lighting System
5.1 These reflector disks fold up to a very
convenient size.
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