Light shots of people in cars

[Calzor Suzay]

I need to take some photos of friends in their car in daylight, sat in both front and rear seats (not at the same time) and was wondering the best way to light them. The emphasis is more on them and the car being where they are. I have 2 x 430 EX IIs with PW Mini/flex and the AC3 and the usual soft box(es) trying to travel as light as possible.

I'm guessing TTL is out and go with the AC3 on manual to play around so it's more flash positioning in a confined space and whether they can power down enough? not sure I can fire the flash through the window without it all bouncing off the glass or creating a 'window' of light and casting a shadow everywher else.

Haven't played around yet but was thinking for the rear to put a single flash in the front and bounce it off the roof interior trying to avoid hot spots, I'm pretty sure it's not a funky colour and sort out white balance later. For the front maybe a softbox from the outside if through the window shot or again in the back bounced around the inside of the car.

Any thoughts?

 

[dafmeister]

Put small diffusers on the speed light and have them in the front footwells pointing up?? Just a thought?

 

[shaylou]

Have you considered using a reflector? This could allow you to direct the light where you need it and keep it natural looking. Like you said, using a flash may bring up a problem of reflections on glass and chrome. If you do have to use a flash perhaps putting a snoot on the flash and shooting the light directly at the subject may work.