Review: Westcott 43-inch Collapsible Umbrella

Want to take your photography to the next level? It requires a minimum of two steps:

1. Get your flash off camera.
2. Use a light modifier.

I got lucky I chanced upon this kit. I say kit because it comes with its own stand and speedlite holder. You can either use it as a shoot-trough umbrella or you can use the black cloth that came with it and use the umbrella as a reflector.

Your speedlite and umbrella are attached to the included shoe mount bracket. The black cloth is easily removed and put back.

Now, I said there are a minimum of two steps. Why two?

Well, if you just remove the flash, then this is what you can get:

Ooh! Ouch! That's blinding light! But with the light modifier:

What is produced is a nice, soft, very flattering light. (Now, can you tell which is the shoot-through shot and which is the reflected-light shot?)

So, if you want to improve your photography without having to spend so much, get your umbrella here.

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Shots made with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF 24-105 IS USM f/4L lens. Want the best backpack for your DSLR? Check out my review of my favorite, the Lowepro Versapack 200AW, here and here.