Rebecca Burton Loc: Ponchatoula, Louisiana

I'm learning to use my 2 umbrellas and my flash off the camera. Finally, I got rid of the shadow behind my subject. I placed the 2 lights high and pointing down on my subject at angles in front of subject. When would I place the umbrella backwards to face my subject. I used umbrella like this and of course more light was on subject. Can someone explain when you place the umbrellas differently. I hope I make sense...

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

Your description is a bit confusing but here are some suggestions: Shadows on the background are usually the result of having your subject too close to the backdrop. Try placing them about 6' from your background.
If you place the lights too high, you risk losing a catchlight in the subject's eyes(leading to a 'dead-eye' look). Start with ONE light (the main or key light, the one you will be basing your exposure on) and position it at about 45° from camera position and adjust the height to give you a triangle on the shadow side of the face. This is what is called a Rembrandt lighting pattern, a basic photographic lighting setup used by photographers for years and named after the painter (check out his paintings!).
When you have your exposure set you can use your other light at about 1 to 1 1/2 stops less power to create some fill on the shadow side to open up your shadows, or, what I prefer, to use a reflector (large white piece of foam core works great as a fill card. This is a basic one-light setup. The second light can be used as a background light to help provide separation of subject from background.
You can have the umbrellas open and facing the subject or turn them around to 'shoot through'. Attached is a diagram that might be of help to you.
Hope this helps! Good luck!

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

There are so many possibilities...

Really I'd suggest working your way through "The Strobist" blog training: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

You wont regret the time spent there :)

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Very interesting article. Thanks

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

RB, welcome to the Hog.
I suggest you google "two light portraits".
If I had only two lights, I would use one as the key light, and one as a hair light. I would use a reflector to bounce the fill-light.
There are a hundred ways to use the two lights, depending on your desired outcome.
Google Rembrandt lighting, that's a very popular set-up.
Go to Adorama Learning Center, lots of got light stuff.
The forward/backwards umbrella depends on if they are shoot-threw, or just reflectors. Some can be used as a softbox.
As to the catchlight, my experience is as long as the light is in front of the subject, you will NOT lose it. Remember, the eye is a round mirror and reflects any light in front of it.
Again, welcome and good luck. ;-)
SS

Rebecca Burton Loc: Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Thank you beaucoup! I will work with your samples and check out strobist.

Rebecca Burton Loc: Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Thank you! I will try all of your examples. Really appreciate the response.