Need help, fast! So many lighting options, how to use them???

[capturedbybrooke]

I'm new to studio lighting and external flashes, so I did research on the most affordable, good quality lighting equipment to get. I got a studio lighting set on ebay- 3 Studio Flash/Strobe, 2 softbox, 3 backdrop, wireless - eBay (item 310179868638 end time Nov-15-09 16:19:10 PST). And for external flash, I got a good deal on the Sigma Super 500 DG flash for my Canon XSi - EF-500 DG Super SA-STTL electronic flash for Sigma - eBay (item 230395431902 end time Nov-10-09 13:45:23 PST).

So, I'm building up my portfolio and was asked to do some family portrait sessions at the clients' homes this weekend. Is it necessary to bring my entire studio lighting kit to someone's house? I've set it up at my home studio and it works pretty good, although I've only had a couple sessions to practice- it was still A LOT of trial and error and I don't want to waste people's time. Now, I wonder if just using my Sigma flash and a reflector might be good enough if I am also using natural light coming through the windows? Or should I use all this in combo with my strobes? However, it seems like I usually have more of an issue with over-exposing rather than under, so I'm leary now about using too many lights.

Another thing is, I'm still in practice mode with my Sigma flash. It has been really hard to figure out what settings I should be using, where to bounce the flash, etc. I am so nervous now and don't want to make a fool of myself. I really need some advice. And FAST! TIY!

[zona5101]

I always wonder how such predicaments come to pass. What are you most comfortable doing? Natural light? Then leave all the flash gear at home and go with what you know. Choice two: come down a bug, call and cancel. Practice with your gear till you have an idea what works, reschedule.

[Benji]

Here is how I would do this shoot. ISO 400. Use a mid-telephoto lens if possible. Use the umbrella behind the camera up high, the center shaft level with the floor. This will be your fill light and will fill in the shadows of everything the lens will see because it is above the lens and close to it. It will be at 1/2 power. The other light, a softbox, will be about 1/3rd of the way between the camera and the group off to one side, feathered so it points to the farthest person in the image on the opposite side. It will be at full power. I would try f/8.0 and LOOK at the LCD screen. If it is too bright try f/11. If it is too dark try f/5.6. Once you find the correct aperture shoot plenty. I would shoot in Raw and manual. Shutter speed at 1/60 or so.

The lighting diagram below is what I use in my camera room where I have 11 foot ceilings for a hair light and two fill lights. Ignore those two items, but use the rest. The siftbox looks like it is beside the group, but it is actually closer to the camera than the group. You DO NOT want the shadows of the main light to encroach onto the person next door, so you may need to move the main light closer to the camera. Again LOOK at the LCD screen.

Benji

[capturedbybrooke]

Originally Posted by Benji

Here is how I would do this shoot. ISO 400. Use a mid-telephoto lens if possible. Use the umbrella behind the camera up high, the center shaft level with the floor. This will be your fill light and will fill in the shadows of everything the lens will see because it is above the lens and close to it. It will be at 1/2 power. The other light, a softbox, will be about 1/3rd of the way between the camera and the group off to one side, feathered so it points to the farthest person in the image on the opposite side. It will be at full power. I would try f/8.0 and LOOK at the LCD screen. If it is too bright try f/11. If it is too dark try f/5.6. Once you find the correct aperture shoot plenty. I would shoot in Raw and manual. Shutter speed at 1/60 or so.

The lighting diagram below is what I use in my camera room where I have 11 foot ceilings for a hair light and two fill lights. Ignore those two items, but use the rest. The siftbox looks like it is beside the group, but it is actually closer to the camera than the group. You DO NOT want the shadows of the main light to encroach onto the person next door, so you may need to move the main light closer to the camera. Again LOOK at the LCD screen.

Benji

Thanks Benji! Good advice and thanks for the diagram also. That may come in handy with my studio also- although my ceiling are only about 7 ft- do you hang a hair light from the ceiling? Maybe a dumb question too, but what do you mean by 'feathered' light?

I don't have a mid-telephoto yet. Lenses I have are: 50mm f1.8, 10-20mm f/4-5.6, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.

Also does anyone know of any good tutorials on using an external flash? Google is just really disappointing me right now..

[Benji]

Originally Posted by capturedbybrooke

...do you hang a hair light from the ceiling? Maybe a dumb question too, but what do you mean by 'feathered' light?

I don't have a mid-telephoto yet. Lenses I have are: 50mm f1.8, 10-20mm f/4-5.6, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.

Also does anyone know of any good tutorials on using an external flash? Google is just really disappointing me right now..

Yes I have my hair light on a rail attached to the ceiling which permits me to move the light forward and backward. I also have a hair light on a boom that I can roll all over the camera room.

Use the 70-300 at about 80 to 100mm if possible. Otherwise use the 50mm (again if possible.)

"Feathering" the light means you don't point the hot center of the light directly at the subject, instead you use the soft edges of the light to illuminate them. See the image below. It shows how I feathered the main light forward.

Tutorials. I've written a number of them. My most popular has over 100,000 hits. See it at The Rules Of Good Portraiture - PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum You will have to register (its free) and I think you will find it informative.

Benji

[capturedbybrooke]

Originally Posted by Benji

Yes I have my hair light on a rail attached to the ceiling which permits me to move the light forward and backward. I also have a hair light on a boom that I can roll all over the camera room.

Use the 70-300 at about 80 to 100mm if possible. Otherwise use the 50mm (again if possible.)

"Feathering" the light means you don't point the hot center of the light directly at the subject, instead you use the soft edges of the light to illuminate them. See the image below. It shows how I feathered the main light forward.

Tutorials. I've written a number of them. My most popular has over 100,000 hits. See it at The Rules Of Good Portraiture - PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum You will have to register (its free) and I think you will find it informative.

Benji

Thanks! What a great tutorial (The Rules Of Good Portraiture). I think it will really help a lot! I am signing up to register!