Question about lighting for before & after portraits

[Tamster]

Hi, I have a friend that just asked me to do before and after pictures of her Mary Kay clients just as a perk to the makeover. I would love to help her and and get the experience under my belt. But was wondering if i need anything other then a reg flash? I want the after pics to look halfway decent Since they will all be beautifully made over

Thanks!

[BigFuzzy]

When you say "regular" flash, do you mean the pop up flash?
If so.. yes, you need more if you don't want to take a "snap shot-ish poorly lit" photo.

Minimum I would recommend is this:
1. Knowledge on how to use flash
2. At least one flash that you can fire off-camera (two is ideal)
3. If you only have one flash, a reflector to bounce light back to areas not hit directly by flash (which means you likely need an assistant or something to hold your reflector)
4. Good background so as to not distract from subject.
5. knowledge on how to shoot in Manual mode to ensure even lighting/exposure/white balance between the before and after shots so that the only difference noted is the make up and not lighting/WB.
6. Knowledge of how to use flash so that a quickie session doesn't last 3 hours because you don't know what you're doing and are fiddling with lights to get it right.

I know I may have sounded a big harsh, but I just don't want you to think, to do this properly, that it's just a case of popping on (or up) a flash and firing it at a models head. If your friend really wants good photos that don't look like snapshots (which will not help her promote herself) make sure you practice a bit and get a basic handle on how to take these sorts of shots. Strobist is a great place to start. Also, if you only have one flash (that you can fire off camera), the flickr group called "one strobe pony" is great to get ideas and technical data.
Good luck, and post some results!

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

When you say "regular" flash, do you mean the pop up flash?
If so.. yes, you need more if you don't want to take a "snap shot-ish poorly lit" photo.

Minimum I would recommend is this:
1. Knowledge on how to use flash
2. At least one flash that you can fire off-camera (two is ideal)
3. If you only have one flash, a reflector to bounce light back to areas not hit directly by flash (which means you likely need an assistant or something to hold your reflector)
4. Good background so as to not distract from subject.
5. knowledge on how to shoot in Manual mode to ensure even lighting/exposure/white balance between the before and after shots so that the only difference noted is the make up and not lighting/WB.
6. Knowledge of how to use flash so that a quickie session doesn't last 3 hours because you don't know what you're doing and are fiddling with lights to get it right.

I know I may have sounded a big harsh, but I just don't want you to think, to do this properly, that it's just a case of popping on (or up) a flash and firing it at a models head. If your friend really wants good photos that don't look like snapshots (which will not help her promote herself) make sure you practice a bit and get a basic handle on how to take these sorts of shots. Strobist is a great place to start. Also, if you only have one flash (that you can fire off camera), the flickr group called "one strobe pony" is great to get ideas and technical data.
Good luck, and post some results!

Have to agree complete with the Big Fuzz and he didn't sound harsh at all.

To add to his list, if you're going with off-camera flash in this setting then get shoot through umbrellas along with your flash(es). You'll also need something to trigger them off camera like Cactus triggers, Cybersyncs or Pocket Wizards. On top of that you'll need lightstands and something to hold your flashes on them.

Now without going the flash route you could also go all natural window light and use a reflector. Would have to be nice window light. You might need to increase your ISO to get a proper exposure though.

Not sure on what setting you'll be shooting your friend's clients in though so they might want a white background and evenly exposed picture or they might want window light. It's something you'll have to talk to her about.

If it were me, I'd go with the flashes and learn how to use them to get that fashion/glamour look. A woman wants to look her best right.

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

When you say "regular" flash, do you mean the pop up flash?
If so.. yes, you need more if you don't want to take a "snap shot-ish poorly lit" photo.

Minimum I would recommend is this:
1. Knowledge on how to use flash
2. At least one flash that you can fire off-camera (two is ideal)
3. If you only have one flash, a reflector to bounce light back to areas not hit directly by flash (which means you likely need an assistant or something to hold your reflector)
4. Good background so as to not distract from subject.
5. knowledge on how to shoot in Manual mode to ensure even lighting/exposure/white balance between the before and after shots so that the only difference noted is the make up and not lighting/WB.
6. Knowledge of how to use flash so that a quickie session doesn't last 3 hours because you don't know what you're doing and are fiddling with lights to get it right.

I know I may have sounded a big harsh, but I just don't want you to think, to do this properly, that it's just a case of popping on (or up) a flash and firing it at a models head. If your friend really wants good photos that don't look like snapshots (which will not help her promote herself) make sure you practice a bit and get a basic handle on how to take these sorts of shots. Strobist is a great place to start. Also, if you only have one flash (that you can fire off camera), the flickr group called "one strobe pony" is great to get ideas and technical data.
Good luck, and post some results!

Thank You so much for the info!! And no worries, you didn't sound harsh at all. I'm fairly new so sometimes i need things explained to me Point Blank anyway
I will check out Strobist. The tips are much appreciated!
lol... And I would look silly if i were there for 3 hrs ... Don't want to be looking like that just starting out!

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

Have to agree complete with the Big Fuzz and he didn't sound harsh at all.

To add to his list, if you're going with off-camera flash in this setting then get shoot through umbrellas along with your flash(es). You'll also need something to trigger them off camera like Cactus triggers, Cybersyncs or Pocket Wizards. On top of that you'll need lightstands and something to hold your flashes on them.

Now without going the flash route you could also go all natural window light and use a reflector. Would have to be nice window light. You might need to increase your ISO to get a proper exposure though.

Not sure on what setting you'll be shooting your friend's clients in though so they might want a white background and evenly exposed picture or they might want window light. It's something you'll have to talk to her about.

If it were me, I'd go with the flashes and learn how to use them to get that fashion/glamour look. A woman wants to look her best right.

Thank you for hte additional information! I will look into all of this. You mentioned see through umbrellas, do you prefer umbrellas over softboxes? Or just in this situation? I was online this weekend searching for products to buy and wasn't sure, but was trying to figure out what type of triggers to get, thanks for the mention on that as well.
I will def be practicing before hande to insure i get the riht look AND don't take 3 hrs to do so as Big Fuzz mentioned!
Thanks again have a great day!

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by Tamster

Thank you for hte additional information! I will look into all of this. You mentioned see through umbrellas, do you prefer umbrellas over softboxes? Or just in this situation? I was online this weekend searching for products to buy and wasn't sure, but was trying to figure out what type of triggers to get, thanks for the mention on that as well.
I will def be practicing before hande to insure i get the riht look AND don't take 3 hrs to do so as Big Fuzz mentioned!
Thanks again have a great day!

In this setting I'd probably get shoot through umbrellas that have a black cover on them so you can use them as bounce if you needed to later on. Lightboxes are great but you can only use them as a lightbox. The shoot through umbrella can give that lightbox type of light if you have it close to the model's face depending on how much power your flash is putting out. With the shoot through that has a cover and can be converted to a bounce you can use it to bounce the light and just feather it onto your subject too.

Here are my recommendations for just a one flash setup:

Lightstand (air cushioned):
Impact Air Cushioned Light Stand, Black - 8' (2.4m) LS-8A - B&H

Umbrella bracket w/adjustable shoe:
Impact UMBRELLA BRACKET w/ADJUSTABLE SHOE 9101880 - B&H Photo

Umbrella:
Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible 2011 - B&H Photo

5 in 1 reflector/diffuser:
Photogenic 42" 5-in-1 Chameleon Reflector 908621 - B&H

Your flash and wireless trigger will be personal preference. I've used Cactus v2 triggers as well as Cybersyncs. I've got Canon 430 EX II and Vivitar 285HV flashes as well that I take on location. For studio work I mix a couple Alien Bees in with those.

[gfmsucess]

I was online this weekend searching for products to buy and wasn't sure, but was trying to figure out what type of triggers to get, thanks for the mention on that as well. ?

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by gfmsucess

I was online this weekend searching for products to buy and wasn't sure, but was trying to figure out what type of triggers to get, thanks for the mention on that as well. ?

Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Wireless Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4