Umbrella Archives — Westcott University

How to Simulate Sunlight in Studio Photography

05/21/2025

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Joel Grimes breaks down one of his go-to studio setups using just two lights to mimic the feel of natural sun. It’s a repeatable, controlled way to get dramatic shadows and that cinematic outdoor style, all...

How to Create Portrait Lighting to Help Tell a Story

Ian Spanier

05/19/2020

Lighting Tips

8428

Celebrity commercial photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera.

Photographing Athletes - Lighting Setup 1

Dramatic Lighting for Photographing Athletes

Hernan Rodriguez

01/07/2019

Lighting Tips

13665

Hernan Rodriguez is a Los Angeles-based celebrity portrait photographer with years of experience photographing athletes, including some of the most recognizable World Champions.

Lighting for Black and White Portraits

Team Westcott

03/29/2018

Lighting Tips

9080

This article is courtesy of lifestyle photographer Jay Watson. It first appeared on Rangefinder. Using one big light source created three things for this black and white assignment for Bicycling magazine of...

Improving Wedding Prep Photography with Portable Lighting

Bob Davis

12/17/2017

Lighting Tips

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In this two-part tutorial, professional wedding photographer Bob Davis discusses how to improve wedding preparation shots (for both brides and grooms) with surprisingly portable lighting setups.

Team Portrait Posing Tips

Matt Hernandez

06/21/2017

Lighting Tips

14031

Posing just a single subject can be difficult, let alone an entire sports team. Talented sports and senior photographer Matt Hernandez has perfected team and group shots with these quick portrait-posing tips.

Creating Modern Portraits with a Deep Umbrella

Team Westcott

04/05/2017

Lighting Tips

12769

This article is courtesy of Atlanta-based portrait photographer and designer Alex D. Rogers. Whenever the situation allows, I love to use a simple one-light setup for portraits and fashion shoots.

Wedding Photography on a Budget

Scott Kelby

01/13/2017

Lighting Tips

22726

For wedding photographers, nothing is more important than using gear that is both portable and easy to use. Wedding photographers are constantly on the move and always need to be ready to capture those special...

The Essential Guide to Photo Umbrellas

Team Westcott

10/25/2016

Gear Guides

41404

Photo umbrellas are a portable and inexpensive way to modify a light source. But because there are so many sizes and color options, choosing one can be a bit intimidating.

Team Portrait Posing Tips

Matt Hernandez

03/14/2016

Lighting Tips

13824

Westcott Top Pro Matt Hernandez began his career as an award-winning graphic artist, then combined his love of photography with his design background and love of sports to become one of the country's premier...

Dramatic and Effective Lighting for Team Portraits

Matt Hernandez

02/04/2016

Lighting Tips

24326

Renowned sports photographer Matt Hernandez has had years of experience capturing professional and high school team portraits. Through years of shooting in a variety of locations, he has perfected the group...

Modern Pin-Up Photography

Benny Migliorino

04/23/2015

Lighting Tips

14423

The shoot starts with the Yaphank Garage, a restored 1930's-era gas and service station that these days is a museum. It's about 15 minutes from my home in Long Island, New York, and I pass it countless times,...

Modifying a Key Light with a Parabolic Umbrella

Modifying a Key Light on a Budget

Craig Beckta

04/23/2015

Lighting Tips

8358

Canadian portrait photographer Craig Beckta used a wraparound key light setup for this portrait. While it can often be expensive to create large key light source in-studio, Craig decided to use an affordable...

Choosing the Right Light Modifier with Joel Grimes

Joel Grimes

08/24/2014

Lighting Tips

16728

Both new photographers and experienced professionals often question which light modifier is the best choice for each and every photo shoot.

Justin Van Leeuwen Reviews the Westcott ProGrip

Justin Van Leeuwen

04/22/2014

Reviews

7034

Corporate and editorial portrait photographer Justin Van Leeuwen hails from Ottawa, Canada. Modest and self-taught, Justin's photography often seems larger than life, featuring high contrast and colorful...

Bob Davis on the ProGrip Speedlite Handle

Bob Davis

02/21/2014

Gear Guides

11554

Westcott Top Pro Elite photographer Bob Davis discusses the use of the new ProGrip Speedlite Handle in this video tutorial. An avid speedlite shooter, Bob is an expert in creating beautiful images with...

Ben Weatherston Real Deal Review – Westcott Triple Threat by .

Real Deal Review: Westcott Triple Threat Speedlite Bracket

Team Westcott

06/07/2013

Reviews

8830

Photographer Ben Weatherston reviews the Westcott Triple Threat with a 7 foot parabolic umbrella, and a diffusion front panel for this week's Real Deal Review.

Wedding Photography Lighting Tips: Part 2

Jim Schmelzer

06/07/2013

Lighting Tips

8575

Westcott Top Pro Jim Schmelzer continues his wedding photography lighting tips from Part 1 at the church. Here, Jim will bring in his bride and groom to start shooting beautiful images.

Using a 7′ Umbrella for Portraits

Team Westcott

03/06/2013

Lighting Tips

11743

Some people use umbrellas all the time. Reflective, shoot through, they just love the spill and shape of the light that comes out of them.

Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites (Part 5)

Bruce Dorn

10/23/2012

Lighting Tips

8520

Explorer of Light and Westcott Top Pro Elite Bruce Dorn has been teaching Speedlite techniques around the country for years through Canon Live Learning and his own workshops.

Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites

Bruce Dorn

10/15/2012

Lighting Tips

8474

Explorer of Light and Westcott Top Pro Elite Bruce Dorn has been teaching techniques for speedlites around the country for years through Canon Live Learning and his own workshops.

Beauty Dish Vs FJ200 Reflector

Getting Started with Newborn Photography | Lighting & Posing Tips

Pro Desk Lighting Setup for Content Creators

Enhancing Window Light Portraits with Flash

Cinematic Lighting for Documentary Interviews

How to Make Flash Look Natural in Outdoor Portraits

3 Creative Ways to Use Gels in Portrait Photography

Easy Portrait Lighting Setups with One, Two, and Three Lights

How to Create Window Light in Studio

Square Softboxes vs Octa Softboxes

Portrait Lighting in Challenging Locations

High-Speed Sync Portraits in Full Sun Using the FJ200 Strobe

Capturing Product Photography With The DigiTent Light Tent

Improve Your Lighting During Video Calls at Home Using the Ring Light Kit

How to Simulate Sunlight in Studio Photography

How to Create Portrait Lighting to Help Tell a Story

Dramatic Lighting for Photographing Athletes

Lighting for Black and White Portraits

Improving Wedding Prep Photography with Portable Lighting

Team Portrait Posing Tips

Creating Modern Portraits with a Deep Umbrella

Wedding Photography on a Budget

The Essential Guide to Photo Umbrellas

Team Portrait Posing Tips

Dramatic and Effective Lighting for Team Portraits

Modern Pin-Up Photography

Modifying a Key Light on a Budget

Choosing the Right Light Modifier with Joel Grimes

Justin Van Leeuwen Reviews the Westcott ProGrip

Bob Davis on the ProGrip Speedlite Handle

Real Deal Review: Westcott Triple Threat Speedlite Bracket

Wedding Photography Lighting Tips: Part 2

Using a 7′ Umbrella for Portraits

Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites (Part 5)

Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites

Tagged Umbrella