Parasol and shade..what am I doing wrong

[Spectre8]

So first time buying a parasol, its just a simple one from ikea as it had god review. It just goes up so no tilting feature.

But what am I doing wrong? The only way it gives shade is if its really far from my seating - is that how its meant to be? If I move it closer it doesn't shield the sun enough.

I then have to keep moving it as the sun moves - this I get is expected but it then gets to a point where I can't get shade over the seating.

I feel like im doing something stupid

Its more like the shadow from the parasol provides shade from a distance

To a certain degree, yes, this is what you'll have to do - as the sun and your seating are in fixed positions at that moment in time and the parasol has to be between them to make a shadow. A tilting one would make it easier, but you could try raising /lowering the height of the parasol too which might mean you don't have to move where the base is as much.