The Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella has broad light source that wraps light around your subject yielding clean highlights and rich open shadows. But due to the special shape of the umbrella there's a unique mix of soft enveloping light with the kind of crisp detail you only get from reflectors. This umbrella has a unique design structurally as well. The shaft is double walled for strength, but it tapers to 7 mm to fit Elinchrom and other European flash heads. Instead of bendable metal, the 16 inner ribs are made of durable fiberglass and the fixed black backing ensures that all of the light output is on your subject instead of through the umbrella. You can also vary the light-to-umbrella distance along the shaft for a harder or softer light or for a longer distance throw. With the Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella less is definitely more..