formal portrait question

[usn85]

I am taking pictures of a sorority formal which is somewhat like a prom. i will be taking half length portraits probably and definately full length portraits. i have a black background and two lights one with a softbox and one with umbrella. i have a smaller extra light just by itself. how do i do the setup of lights to accodmate the wide variety of clothing and hair colors? do i set up a softbox as the main light and the umbrella as a fill off to the side to give both a hair light and fill light effect? thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

softbox to your immediate left (9 o'clock), angled 45 degrees towards subject and about 15-30 degrees down
umbrella to your immediate right (3 o'clock), angled 60-75 degrees towards subject (so almost head on) and about 30 degrees down.

If you need to, use the light as a sort of hair light, or mount it (diffused!) to your shoe as a direct light. Just be sure to turn it WAY down if youre mounting it to your hotshoe.

[sarahgirl777]

I would definately use one as a hairlight if you are using a black background. I'm sure at least one person will have dark hair or dark clothing and this will help separate them from the background. If you just have it set up that way to begin with you wont have to worry about it later.

Good luck