Studio strobe (alien bee) lighting question....

[harleybabe]

I just got the alien bee beginner bee package last night.

Wondering how close to the light the umbrella should be?

Also, which have you found to work better, shooting through the umbrella or bouncing off of it with the light facing away from subject?

[Saralonde]

Nice buy! I've been looking at those, but having bought some lenses recently, AlienBees will have to wait.
I've very little knowledge in this area and I'm definitely stepping out on a limb here by trying to give advice. If your umbrella is translucent I would assume you shoot through it. If you have a silver and white reversible, you would use it for bounce, silver for high contrast, white for softness. As for distance from the light, maybe trial and error?
Somebody with lighting experience come to my rescue! I don't think I'm helping at all!