The Umbrella - The Old Standby

     Since introduction in the early 1960s it has dominated portrait and school photography.  Pryor to the introduction of the umbrella most of the portraits were made with parabolic reflectors because of the limited power and low ratings of most film used at the time. While parabolic reflectors were the most efficient in using watt-second power, they were not the best lighting for children because of the specular nature.  This gave rise to the use of a second – or “fill” light.  

     With the introduction of the umbrella, this trend continued – a main and fill light. This was understandable because most umbrellas were usually equipped with a parabolic specular reflector – which made even the umbrella somewhat specular – thus giving rise to the two umbrella system.  This system has existed for the most part of two generations.

     With the LiteLight, the polished “flat” reflector utilizes the entire umbrella and gives complete “wrap-around” lighting often eliminating the need for a second umbrella.  Where a fill is needed, usually a simple reflector panel will suffice - not another umbrella which only adds weight to location equipment - which is a "no-no" in the digital age.

     We have departed somewhat from the usual umbrella system.  With the universal stand bracket, the umbrella is mounted directly on the stand bracket independent of the umbrella reflector assembly. (See Figure 1) The head is then mounted on the umbrella shaft where it is used to slip up & down the shaft. (See figure 2)  In most umbrella systems, the head is mounted on the stand and the umbrella is attached to the head.  It can easily be positioned (See figure 3) where the umbrella will have maximum wrap-around light. 

     The umbrella assembly is available in a bi-tube model.  If you need a lot of umbrella light, this one is capable of producing 4800 Watt/Seconds of power with the proper power pack.

     With most bi-tube heads, the use is limited except where there is a need for a bi-tube.  The LiteLight bi-tube assembly has two heads each of which can be easily removed for other purposes.  In most umbrella systems , when the head is needed for another purpose, the whole assembly has to be dismantled.  In the LiteLight system, the head, or heads, can be quickly removed from the shaft and it leaves the umbrella standing.  

     We have included our instruction sheets on the installation of the umbrella system so that you may see the simple and easy nature of the assembly.  

                        (Figure 1)                                         (Figure 2)                                                    (Figure 3)     

                                       Bi-Tube Head                                                 (Figure 4)      

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