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How to Make a Photographic Umbrella

In studio photography, soft lighting is the key to producing professional quality results. Reflective photographic umbrellas are used, along with soft boxes and other tools, to diffuse light from studio lamps and flash bulbs. Though these umbrellas are available through any photography equipment retailer, they are often expensive. With a few cans of spray paint and an inexpensive umbrella, you can achieve studio quality results on the cheap.

Things You'll Need

Mouth mask
Safety goggles
Tarp
Umbrella
Masking tape
Metallic silver spray paint
Flat black spray paint

Instructions

- 1
  Don your mouth mask and safety goggles to protect yourself from over spray and paint fumes. Spread a tarp over your working area to prevent paint splatters.
- 2
  Open the umbrella and tilt it on its side so the top faces upward. Shake the can of flat black paint thoroughly to mix.
- 3
  Hold the can about six inches from the top of the umbrella and begin applying an even coat. Make even, horizontal passes until the entire top of the umbrella is covered. For best results, slightly overlap each pass. Allow the paint to dry for several hours, or for the time suggested on the container.
- 4
  Turn the umbrella so that the inside faces upward. Shake the can of metallic silver paint thoroughly to mix.
- 5
  Apply the metallic paint to the inside of the umbrella, this time using vertical passes to avoid painting the metal ribbing of the umbrella. For best results, apply a second coat once the first has dried.
- 6
  Allow the paint to dry overnight before using or closing the photographic umbrella. To use the umbrella, hold it a foot or two above your light source and aim the metallic silver inside toward your subject.

Photography