silver or white umbrella?

[Slowpoke Rodriguez]

I am just starting to experiment with off-camera flash and am putting together a small collection of equipment. I have two manual flashes with lightstands and radio triggers and would like to get an umbrella or two for times when there is no wall or ceiling handy. I would like to get a shoot-through umbrella because I like what the strobist site has to say about them. I would also like to get one bounce umbrella also. I don't know whether I will get more use out of a white or silver bounce umbrella. My question is directed toward those that have used both. If you were to buy a bounce umbrella for a small starter kit, would you buy white or silver?

All input is appreciated. Thanks, folks.

[magnum1]

I like my Fong Inverted Light spheres.

Sorry, I broke the rules.

[Venturi]

I've got 2 shoot-thrus and 1 reflector. I'm slowly trodding through Lighting102 and so far I've only used the reflector once though I wouldn't go so far as to say either is better - they merely have different uses and most of what I've done I wanted a softer light. If you are trying to limit "things" you might want to try a Westcott convertible: Westcott 43" Collapsible Umbrella with Removable Cover 15" FOLDED

[kerrowdown]

Both work well, silver gives a slightly harsher finish, it all depends what situation your in and what you want.

There is no right or wrong here, just choices.

[khardur]

there's differences between brands as well... I've got both a Wescott 43" and JTL 40" silver umbrellas, but the Wescott has a much more matte finish than the JTL umbrella. So the JTL has a much shinier finish, and casts a bit harsher light than the Wescott.

From what I've read, the silver generally reflects a bit more light than the white does.

[janosh]

Silver is a LOT more efficient and a lot more harsh than white, which in turn is less soft than shoot through.

Silver makes more sense outdoors than in because you're using it mostly for fill, rather than as a main light (that's the sun).

If you're shooting groups you may find silver's greater efficiency helpful, and white's softness may not be important.

[Blue]

I don't know what your manual flashes are like power wise, but when using a shoot through umbrella, I have found "regular' flashes to be inadequate. Keep in mind that you may need to up the ante there. If I had to pick between on or the other, I'd go shoot through, but with marginal flash bank, the reflective one may be the better option. That's just from my experience in the late '80s.

Edit: One thing you can do to help with harshness of a reflective umbrella is use colored diffusers on your flash head.