Is it just us or are umbrellas and bad weather an intriguing photo subject? Seemingly a timeless classic image. Over the years we have gathered a wide range of umbrella shots mostly taken in Manhattan and Philadelphia.
What is it about the umbrella? It’s a simple mechanical device. Is it the way people hold them? Is the design and pattern? Or a combination of them all?
From Wikipedia:
An umbrella or parasol (also called a brolly, parapluie, rainshade, sunshade, gamp, bumbershoot, or umbrolly) is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Often the difference is the material; some parasols are not waterproof. Parasols are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture. Umbrellas are almost exclusively hand-held portable devices; however, parasols can also be hand-held. The collapsible (or folding) umbrella originated from China,[2][3] and had sliding levers similar to those in use of today.[4]
The word umbrella comes from the Latin word umbra, meaning shade or shadow (the Latin word, in turn, derives from the Ancient Greekómbros [όμβρος].) Brolly is a slang word for umbrella, used often in Britain, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Kenya. Bumbershoot is a fanciful Americanism from the late 19th century.
Some old some new here is a gallery of the timeless umbrella: All photo by Lori Foxworth and Paul Gentile
