lighting a family shot???

[Chrisly2009]

Hey guys

I've basically been asked to photograph a family of 5 and was going to use the couch as a good starting point.

My knowledge of more than 1 light is very limited

Im trying to find the right exposure and lighting to get a pleasing shot but am not sure where to position or what settings I should use to with my lights to get this.

Im using 2 x portaflash 336vm flash heads (1 medium sized soft box and 1 small soft box)
580ex flash
canon 20d camera
Yongnuo wireless trigger

The wireless trigger fires all 3 flash heads at the same time but where do I position them and at what strengths please???

Do I even need to have my 580ex firing??? I do have to have it on though as this is how the wireless trigger works.

I have attached an image of my setup as im practising on a couch full of teddy bears while theres no people to shoot at the moment as well as 1 of my attempts.

Any input would be really useful as I said I would do this for a friend

Thanks for reading

regards
Chris

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW SETUP AND FIRST ATTEMPT
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70658069@N02/6759449075/in/set-72157629023702027/

 

[the4thversion]

Here's a couch seem with a set up shot too…

It's a little higher budget than yours but you could use this as a starting point. E.G. One main light for all of them lighting as evenly as you can. Another as a hair light (a gorillapod may help here) and then another off to the side to add some shape to the scene.

Worth a try, if your teddy bears have the patience that is.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I would move the couch away from the wall a bit
Position your larger softbox where the camera is but as high as possible
Position your smaller softbox either immediately above or immediately below the camera, to provide fill. You don't need your hotshoe flashgun for this

The larger softbox will be your key light and will need to be more powerful than your fill light - just experiment until you're happy with the result

 

[Chrisly2009]

oh thanks to both of you for the quick reply. That helps alot so i'll go and practice this now. Cheers