Unfortunately i'm in a 2nd floor apartment, so the lights outside the window aren't really an option, but will make sure to try bouncing the flash behind me. Thanks for everyones input, has given me a few ideas to try and i'll make sure to check out the website. I'm not a fan of shoot through umbrellas as a main light source (they're ok for fill) because they're hard to control. Silver umbrella gives you greater contrast and more of a pop. The larger the umbrella, the better it approximates window light. Using a white reflective umbrella approximates window light. I'm also open to other suggestions for any general lighting advice or equipment recomendations.Ī few caveats: the light will take on the color of the bounce surface, so if your walls aren't white, you will get a color of the wall on your subject.īouncing the light off the wall and/or ceiling results in a non directional light. What would generally give a more natural softer look, using an umbrella or bouncing the flash off the ceiling? I also have small rooms with white walls and ceiling. I own a couple of YN 560 II's with triggers and a small (approx 33') white shoot through umbrella as well as a silver lined umbrella. I am trying to achieve natural soft lighting rather than anything dramatic. I've visited flash photography in the past with average results, but want to try and improve my results. However in the winter /cloudy days my photos always look a bit flat and dull. Inside I have a large window, which works well in the summer months where a lot of light comes through. I generally shoot a lot of family photos of my kids with natural light.

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