Dance in a Studio?

[Jlau521]

Hey guys, I'm planning on doing a photoshoot of my dancer friend in a studio. This is my first time doing studio work, so I don't really know what kind of lighting equipment I should get. I'm limited to one light source, my 580EX II. I was thinking of doing something kinda strobist, maybe by using a reflective umbrella? Do you guys have any suggestions on what kind of lighting setup I should have? I'd like to keep the budget under $100. And I currently don't have any equipment besides my Speedlight.

My Gear:
Canon Rebel XSi and T2i
EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8
EF 70-200mm F/4 L
EF 50mm F/1.8
580EX II

[zona5101]

go with your one light on a stand with umbrella just as you have thought. I do not know ti2 and 580 will fire off camera without a separate trigger. If so you're golden, only other thing you might want is a large reflector (which can be a couple of pieces of white foam core taped together.)

[Life in Motion]

Definitely get the flash off camera! you have a great opportunity to create drama with a one light setup of a dancer.....play with the position of the light, and different dance positions/leaps. have fun!

[Jlau521]

Thanks guys. Any tips on what brands of the umbrella, swivel, and light stand to get?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Jlau521

Thanks guys. Any tips on what brands of the umbrella, swivel, and light stand to get?

brand isn't going to matter much. some places make "outfits" with all of it in one package that can save you a bit of money over buying separately. You'll want to watch the umbrella size and not get something too small (or too big). 41" to 60"
something like this...
2332 Westcott 43" Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit #2332 with 8' Light Stand

Also you'll find some kits with 31 to 33" umbrellas - there ok...if the price is right buy the kit and then get a bigger umbrella. Umbrellas are cheap.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by zona5101

go with your one light on a stand with umbrella just as you have thought. I do not know ti2 and 580 will fire off camera without a separate trigger. If so you're golden, only other thing you might want is a large reflector (which can be a couple of pieces of white foam core taped together.)

Dear Bruce,
who is going to hold those white forams during the shot? My 2 in 1 umbrella even with silver reflector, I can't use the silver reflector at all... 110cm Reversible Umbrella [42in_umbrella] - RM60.00 : GStrapInUse.com. Something wrong with the umbrella?

???

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by ccting

Dear Bruce,
who is going to hold those white forams during the shot? My 2 in 1 umbrella even with silver reflector, I can't use the silver reflector at all... 110cm Reversible Umbrella [42in_umbrella] - RM60.00 : GStrapInUse.com. Something wrong with the umbrella?

???

Hold the reflector???first choise would be to ask someone to hold them. If nobody around then you have to get mildly creative... they are lightweight, you could use some tape and tape them to a ladder...crease them so they stand on their own. tape them in a "V" and set them on a table...

on your umbrella...i don't know, maybe your white does come off...i've not seen one that does but i haven't lived long enough to see everything...yet.

[AndyM2020]

The 580 exII is probably a better choice than "studio" lights as it will have a shorter flash duration to freeze the dancer's action. If the one light is not enough, and a reflector not good enough, take a look at one of the cheap Yongnuo (sp?) flashes on eBay (it can be fired by a built in slave cell).