Canon T2i - what lighting?

[Angelia785]

I know this is my first post and usually people don't respond to first timers, so I'm hoping I'll get some feedback and I look forward to learning so much from everyone.

I have always limited my portrait photography to outdoor and was recently contacted by a family member in a panic... the photographer hired to do the convention is not going to be able to do their convention now (approximately 500 people attending). Because they need a photographer in April over a weekend... well, all the professionals in the area are doing weddings or otherwise booked and can't handle a 4-day event so I was contacted with her in tears... yeah, I caved

Someone please take pity on me and tell me exactly what I will need for lighting. I'm doing this as a favor and although my outdoor portraits are really good I've been scared of artificial lighting so I've never done it. Also, because I need to get used to using the equipment I need to buy the equipment BEFORE I get my tax return so... I need to find inexpensive equipment too.

I know for sure I will need a flash on my camera. I have not been to the venue but it's safe to say I will not have enough light at times with just the flash on my camera. Some of the areas people will be in are the size of two basketball courts. What sort of flash would be recommended? There will be really high ceilings in some of the rooms (possibly 25ft).

I will need to have a portrait area where individuals, couples, and small groups can have their picture taken. This is where I'm at the most loss. What type of lighting should I use? Also... because I've never connected lighting to my camera, is there something that goes between my camera and the lights themselves that I'll need to also purchase?

I'm so new at this and I probably should run from this opportunity, but I figure if I find the right people to lead me in the right direction I will either swim or go into hiding at every family reunion.

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome!
(see we respond to first time posters)

So sounds like you have two assignments 1) capture candids of the attendee as they conduct their activites and 2) Capture formal portraits of participants, perhaps award winners or other special groups for recongnition

1) On camera ittl external flash using a light modifier such as a stofen, lumiquest, lastolite ezybox, etc
2) Off camera flash, probably 2 lights, using light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes and a way to sync to your camera

You can do all the lighting with speedlights/strobes.

There's a lot to learn but it is not impossible. Where do you want to start...

[autofocus]

I'm so new at this and I probably should run from this opportunity, but I figure if I find the right people to lead me in the right direction I will either swim or go into hiding at every family reunion.

Wow! Talk about jumping off a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic without a life raft! First off, you say you can't afford to buy the lighting you would actually need in order to pull this off, nor do you have the knowledge to use it even if you were able to purchase lighting. Therefore, shouldn't you have respectfully turn this job down? Are they paying you to do this? If so, could they advance you some money to buy some equipment? Even the top of the line Canon 580EXII will not be powerful enough to light the length of two basketball courts. At a minimum I would say you'd need two strobes with at least one beauty dish modifier and probably at least one softbox for your portrait work. You would also need to be able to trigger them wirelessly..another big expenditure. A full redundant camera setup would also be a standard requirement for an event like this..an important backup should one camera system fail. You only have one chance to shoot this event...there are no Mulligans! Don't mean to scare you, but even many pros would be a little concerned about this type of venue. Wished I could give you better news

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Hi and welcome!
(see we respond to first time posters)

So sounds like you have two assignments 1) capture candids of the attendee as they conduct their activites and 2) Capture formal portraits of participants, perhaps award winners or other special groups for recongnition

1) On camera ittl external flash using a light modifier such as a stofen, lumiquest, lastolite ezybox, etc
2) Off camera flash, probably 2 lights, using light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes and a way to sync to your camera

You can do all the lighting with speedlights/strobes.

There's a lot to learn but it is not impossible. Where do you want to start...

Wow, that's why I love you Bruce. What takes me a thousand words, you can cover in ten

[zona5101]

easy on the man-love bro...



hahaha - thanks vince.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by zona5101

easy on the man-love bro...



hahaha - thanks vince.

have no fear Bruce, my interpretation of "crossing over" is when you go to that big darkroom in the sky. I'll rephrase my comment to "I love your brevity"

[Angelia785]

I appreciate the replies. Guess I should have been more clear that I don't have a lot of money yet saved into my photography business, I do have money in another business I can borrow from to get my lighting needs met I just don't want to invest a lot into the lighting. I had originally hoped a friend of mine who lives half way between me and the venue could do this with me since she already has all the lighting equipment and a couple of back-up cameras but she doesn't have enough vacation time from her full time job to be of any help.

Bruce - you're correct that it is for two different needs, the candid shots and the portrait area. I'll be able to move about for the candid shots so if I can't get the wider shots to take I'll just forgo those. They haven't been offered in the past.

I have also found out a little more on the venue area and I've had a chance to see what the past photographers have done. Looking at what the "minimally acceptable" has been in the past I'm starting to think there aren't too high of expectations and I may be putting alot of stress over wanting it to look a certain way. I certainly will do my best because if I'm going to put the money into the equipment I want to be sure that it leads to other similar jobs in the future.

So... for the portrait lighting do you recommend the umbrella or the softbox? I'd like to transition it to also be used at home in the future. I also have to travel about 6 hrs from my home to get to the venue in a mini van and I want to be able to pack it all in there (portrait props and all).

I really appreciate the help!

[zona5101]

the umbrella are probably going to be the best choice. They produce good light, they are very compact and best of all they are cheap. you can use them with speedlights or studio lights without needing rings and adapters...just a swivel umbrella clamp. Don't underestimate the flexibility and portability of going with a speedlight based lighting system...especially to start.