Shooting in a family room, or kitchen, or kid's room

[sharse]

I have a 550EX that I use on my Canon T2i. I'm not setting up a home "studio", but rather am interested in going to other people's homes to photograph their children in their own home. Obviously my lighting is going to vary greatly!

I have many, many things to research and learn, not the least of which is making sure I'll have adequate - and portable - lighting. Based on my research thus far, I'm thinking that the right way to go is to invest in another speedlite, a stand and a soft box. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Should I consider another set up?

I'll be moving around the room following toddlers as they go from one toy to another, not trying to pose them and get them to sit still. Basically my need is to make sure I have adequate light if the room is rather dark, in addition to my 550EX.

As I get more experience I'll certainly get a feel for what I need and when, but for now, I'd like to be prepared, have the equipment at the ready when I need it, and look like less of a noob!

Knowing that I'm shooting moving targets inside people's homes, what would you suggest I have for my lighting needs? Thanks!

[Rentham]

There will be many rooms in which you just don't have the space to set up a couple stands and some modifiers. Plus, the mobility of kids might render your entire set up moot. I'd learn how to bounce flash and mix it with ambient. That will give you nice light and keep your gear footprint to a minimum in other people's homes.

[sharse]

Thank you for your comments. I should note, too, that right now I have a Canon 18-135 3.5/5.6. I will be buying either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8, which should help immensely with lower light conditions.

(I know this is the lighting section, but any thoughts about those two lenses? I'm leaning toward the 85mm so I won't have to be in my subject's face... but if my subject allows me in their face, all the better!)

[ccting]

Originally Posted by sharse

I have a 550EX that I use on my Canon T2i. I'm not setting up a home "studio", but rather am interested in going to other people's homes to photograph their children in their own home. Obviously my lighting is going to vary greatly!

I have many, many things to research and learn, not the least of which is making sure I'll have adequate - and portable - lighting. Based on my research thus far, I'm thinking that the right way to go is to invest in another speedlite, a stand and a soft box. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Should I consider another set up?

I'll be moving around the room following toddlers as they go from one toy to another, not trying to pose them and get them to sit still. Basically my need is to make sure I have adequate light if the room is rather dark, in addition to my 550EX.

As I get more experience I'll certainly get a feel for what I need and when, but for now, I'd like to be prepared, have the equipment at the ready when I need it, and look like less of a noob!

Knowing that I'm shooting moving targets inside people's homes, what would you suggest I have for my lighting needs? Thanks!

I am facing the same problem as u.. ;D

[ccting]

Originally Posted by sharse

Thank you for your comments. I should note, too, that right now I have a Canon 18-135 3.5/5.6. I will be buying either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8, which should help immensely with lower light conditions.

(I know this is the lighting section, but any thoughts about those two lenses? I'm leaning toward the 85mm so I won't have to be in my subject's face... but if my subject allows me in their face, all the better!)

I have the same thoughts as you for 3 months, after i bought my first camera. I think buying those fast len will hinder you from learning lighting.. Why not try to utilize what you have to get the best result?

I am thinking of using camera bracket with 2 speedlights attached to it. One of them with umbrella.. ;D. I don't know.. but i am planning to buy a cheap studio set to learn about lighting.

If you wish to buy a fast len, I may suggest you forget about 85mm for indoor photography.. The reason that i could thought of is, it has long focal length that just not suit the small rooms.. 50mm with 1.6 crop factor, may be is too long, why not 35mm (35X1.6)... For me i will buy 35mm as i could shoot near to get the same result as 85mm without bokeh + distortion correction by software.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by sharse

Thank you for your comments. I should note, too, that right now I have a Canon 18-135 3.5/5.6. I will be buying either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8, which should help immensely with lower light conditions.

(I know this is the lighting section, but any thoughts about those two lenses? I'm leaning toward the 85mm so I won't have to be in my subject's face... but if my subject allows me in their face, all the better!)

fast lenses are great - but they aren't a cure-all. Shooting wide open brings it's own set of challenges....

[Doug Sundseth]

Bounce flash is easy and works well in small spaces. Choose your bounce surface for interesting directional light (that is, don't always bounce straight off the ceiling).

Two stands, two lights, and radio triggers works well too. Set up a diffused light in opposite corners of the room and you'll get a key and fill nearly anywhere in the room.

One light with a small softbox (Lumiquest LQ-III or the like) and a sync cord can also work pretty well to give you mobility and dimensional light.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

Bounce flash is easy and works well in small spaces. Choose your bounce surface for interesting directional light (that is, don't always bounce straight off the ceiling).

Two stands, two lights, and radio triggers works well too. Set up a diffused light in opposite corners of the room and you'll get a key and fill nearly anywhere in the room.

One light with a small softbox (Lumiquest LQ-III or the like) and a sync cord can also work pretty well to give you mobility and dimensional light.

Dear Doug,
I think those studio set is not suitable if there are kids around.. I think having studio set setup in front of kids especially walking baby is quite dangerous.. They might hurt the studio set or the other round..
I am unsure... about the safety..

My baby just push the stand fan until it falls down.. I plan to buy studio set but I afraid they can't last long .. ANy stand that we could hang on the wall?

[Doug Sundseth]

Sand bags attached to the light stands are your friends, especially when little children are around. Children that can move 10 kg of sand are probably old enough to listen when told not to do that.

If you need to move lights off the floor entirely, clamps are probably your best bet. For instance something like the Justin Clamp. Other options include using the little plastic shoe that comes with many speedlights and just setting the light on a tall piece of furniture.

[sharse]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

Sand bags attached to the light stands are your friends, especially when little children are around. Children that can move 10 kg of sand are probably old enough to listen when told not to do that.

If you need to move lights off the floor entirely, clamps are probably your best bet. For instance something like the Justin Clamp. Other options include using the little plastic shoe that comes with many speedlights and just setting the light on a tall piece of furniture.

Great ideas... thanks!