Why did I call an article about a photo holder like that? Well, probably because when I made the first prototype, “The Lord of the Rings” was on TV. A very simple thing – a holder for an umbrella. Why is the market filled with all kinds of crap (shit)?
But all in the right order.
When somebody buys the first reflex camera, the second thing he takes, is a flash system. And it does not matter, what he will do next, a strobist or a family album, the next acquisition is in the most cases a flash system. Many people stop there, and “others” start thinking about light, buy umbrellas, holders, Light Stand and so on. This list is very long, and I will not write it all here. I was unlucky, and I was infected with the disease called “photography”. Just like everyone else in the minority. I bought a flashlight, a rack, a holder for the umbrella, and started to actively try out how all this light works. I tried out many kinds of holders, I will not describe all the shortcomings of all the systems on the market. I rather describe how cool mine is. Most holders fix the umbrella with a bolt, which leads to the deformation of the umbrella's tubule. Where the tubule is being held, it is being deformed by the bolt. It becomes hard to close the umbrella. As a result the tubule breaks, and if your umbrellas are like mine, from a brand, then you can not replace it straight away, because a true brand used a tubule with a nonstandard diameter, 7mm. So I did not buy a new umbrella, and instead found where to buy 2 meters of a brass tube, and replaced the original one with the brass one. After that the umbrella gained 30 grams weight. Did you ever ask yourself, why the light on the umbrella is always on the top, and not on the axis? You can get accustomed to it and use it, but it surely can be simpler and more understandable. Did you try to use pilot light with flash systems? Such pleasure is not available for all the systems, and not for all the flashlights. For me this problem is constructively solved and there is a space to attach pilot light. When the light becomes too little for you, you either buy studio lights, or a second flashlight. With studio lights everything is clear, they have their own cappings and attachments, but what to do about a bracing for a second flashlight? The merits could be described with delight for a long time. Hence allow me to introduce my holder for the umbrella.
My precious is an aluminum bar with a collet chuck for fixing umbrellas or studio attachments. The surface of the bar is covered with densely rubbered cloth, to not scratch the flashlights, the sizes are calculated for use with the flashlight SB900 or smaller ones. The holder has notches for the fastening belts, two landing carvings, two mounting holes for LED pilot light and an additional mounting pad. So far nothing else was required.
How it all works.
You can attach flashlights from both sides. The flashlights are put on the rubbered surface and are fastened by belts with velcros, or attached to the additional pad. I prefer the belts.
You can attach anything, and as much as you want. One flashlight with pilot, two flashlights with one pilot, one flashlight and two pilots. So far the space was enough for everything, and satisfying my “EGO”, all the light is on the axis of the umbrella.
While using parabolic reflectors, it's very important. What else is this mounting capable of? For example you can attach it in the center of Ring Flash and use Ring Flash with an umbrella or an octa.
For not too heavy soft boxes I made an adapter for studio attachments and use flash systems in the studio. The holder can easily be attached to a tripod or a Light Stand.
In one word, it has become a good universal solution. The holder reminds me of a LEGO piece and does not cease to amaze me with the diversity of its usability. You can attach the sources in any way, one turned to the ceiling, another for translucent umbrella, even at a degree of 180°. Various nuts and bolts can of course not be avoided. One can think up very many unusual attachment patterns, and not only for flashlights.
You may ask, why anyone needs that? A very correct question. In photography the deciding thing is light and the control over it. Compare the light spot of a normal holder and that of mine.
On this picture the translucent umbrella set a normal holder not on the axis.
What is bad about this light, is a bright white hotspot from the lamp, a non-symmetric gradient of light from top to bottom, and the shadow of the tube of the umbrella.
As you can see on the second picture, there are no such shortcomings with axial positioning of the flashlight.
On this picture is an example of the spot of Ring Flash with the translucent umbrella.
The badly criticized Ring Flash has turned with an umbrella into a source of soft controllable light. As for me, this is a very useful ability. After making a “trash” session, everything can be set up for a portrait or NUDE very fast, and you do not have to take a second light source with you.
Successful shots to you.
© Andrew Buckin
P.S.:
Currently I do not have the ability for mass production of this holder. So if anyone has the wish to acquire one, I have to disappoint you with a high price. Everything is made manually.
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