Silver or White bounce umbrella?

[bpretorius]

Hi all,

I am starting to learn about lighting and in the process of buying an umbrella, however I have one question:

What is the difference between a white bounce and silver bounce umbrella - and which one is better to use? (Although I guess the usage will depend on the situation?)

Thanks

[zona5101]

The white will be a bit softer, the silver will be more brilliant. Silver is more efficient in light transfer. I don't know that either is "better".

[Doug Sundseth]

Silver bounces the light more efficiently, and can result in punchier light.

White softens the light more and can usually also be used as a shoot-through umbrella.

[OsmosisStudios]

For my money, get a convertible. This is an umbrella that has a white inner section and a silver outer section. If youre using it as a bounce-back, the light is diffused by the white inner and bounces back, but you ca also remove the outer layer and use it as a white shoot-through, depending on what you want to do with it.