Military Ball-What to use for backdrops and lighting

[SGToliver]

Doing my first Military ball and my first major event. I will be doing general event photographs, the main ceremony and portraits for the guests and VIPs. I have no experience using backdrops. What should I consider using? For the portrait shots what would my best option be for a lighting setup?

[oldwolf]

Use the guide-on, national flag, anything having to deal with the unit and country they are with as a backdrop. Maybe even something signifying why they're having the ball. It's all about the staging of the shot.

Lights? Big softbox or umbrella as main and maybe another as fill or a reflector as fill. If you want to get real fancy then get a second or third light to light them from behind to get some seperation from the background.

It really depends on the what type of ball and how much artistic license they'll give you. Been to a few military balls and they were kind of boring and there wasn't much artistic license except when it came to the grog.

[SGToliver]

They are leaving it all up to me thankfully! I was thinking flags and guidons as well. I really like what this person did here; mcball2007 (2) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
something different than the normal poses and boring shots. I have two shoot through umbrellas but no softboxes. Great suggestions, thanks!

[BK553]

Use the shoot-throughs for key/fill, another behind and facing the camera for a rim, and another behind the subject facing back for background light (which will eliminate shadows caused by the key/fill lights)

If you don't have enough lights, you may be able get by with one shoot through+ reflector for key/fill, and a background light. The rim light helps a lot though, especially if they are going to be in close proximity to the background. The sample photo you gave has the rim light from above (highlights on the hair), if you have the stand/boom to do that it works well too.

You could also do both umbrellas up and 45 degrees to the side...but you won't have the nice subject/background separation.

The big thing is to arrive early, have someone stand in, and fire away until you get it right, before the event starts. You don't want to be fiddling when you should be shooting. Good luck

[sk66]

Keep in mind the women will be mostly in black dresses and the men in dark blue or black(civilians)..
You won't be able to use a dark BG without some type of separation light.

[SGToliver]

most likely I will use the US flag along with the Corps flag. I certainly think I will need a separation light in order to get the effect I want. Any suggestions for the ceremony and general event shots?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SGToliver

most likely I will use the US flag along with the Corps flag. I certainly think I will need a separation light in order to get the effect I want. Any suggestions for the ceremony and general event shots?

Shoot it like a wedding...a suitable zoom - camera mounted flash and bounced to ceiling or bounced to a lumaquest or similar device.

[Jim Bryant]

Just make sure the guide on isn't sticking up out of someone's head. Check out the location beforehand. I shot one that had a great fireplace, so I set up lights in there with no backdrop.
Make sure it's light colored as to not have the uniforms lost in the same color. I use grey or brown, depends on what colors the dress uniforms are.

[SGToliver]

I am sure there will be some awesome spots to take these photos because it is at a chateau here near Brussels. Should I rent a softbox or rely on my shoot throughs?

[SGToliver]

if anyone was curious this is where I will be photographing the event:
Château du Lac - Banquets

Looks like it should be fun!