Lighting setup / Event Portrait Critique

dancook

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Off to comic con tomorrow, I'm going to shooting portraits in and around the halls - busy place lots of people..
There will be no bouncing off walls or ceilings, so it's all direct/diffused light.

Using direct flash fill on camera, with a softbox held for key.

Here's a test shot, I'm pretty happy with it - but since I only get two shots a year to get these portraits - I wanted to get input before I go replicate any mistakes

Lighting Test by dancook1982, on Flickr

Thanks
 
Both does look better in your examples.

Key doesn't look so far round in op- that's why I was asking. Nothing wrong with a light on camera axis - all my studio work is done like that - but I'm never happy with on camera fill.
 
Both does look better in your examples.

Key doesn't look so far round in op- that's why I was asking. Nothing wrong with a light on camera axis - all my studio work is done like that - but I'm never happy with on camera fill.

Yes, this is a problem - my wife isn't coming with me - so I'm having to hold key with my left arm... like this............... it's cumbersome - but I'd rather this than flat light.

So stretch as far as I can - is all I Can do I guess

View attachment 12220
 
Jebus! You'll be shattered after a hour like that! No light stand?

Pretty sure light stands aren't allowed, however if you go setup out the way - I think they are ok. Carrying one around the halls would be a no-no.

I can rest it over my shoulder when I'm not using it.

I'm taking my 200mm f2 with me as well for outdoor shots.. this event will be a test of strength :)
 
Monopod.
So you're not supporting the weight but still holding it in position.
 
With big white umbrella about 3m high on stand you can shoot people from 1 to groups of over 10 on one settings all time.. I tried last Saturday use on event beauty dish but big white lastollite umbrella works better and wasn't hash shadows on people faces.
 
If is possible you can try keep source of the light from left top corner side... Rembrandt lighting technics looks always more natural specially when you use flash.
 
Not sure if this is a workable option for you. How about a flash bracket, this gets the flash off the hotshoe. I had a demo of the Rogue softbox at The Photography Show and I was really impressed.
 
Not sure if this is a workable option for you. How about a flash bracket, this gets the flash off the hotshoe. I had a demo of the Rogue softbox at The Photography Show and I was really impressed.

I had a flash bracket, and the cold shoe broke under the weight of a softbox and flash. However since the flash is still fairly on axis and used as a fill anyway - i don't think it made a tremendous amount of difference.

I really do want the OCF from off to the side.
 
I had a flash bracket, and the cold shoe broke under the weight of a softbox and flash. However since the flash is still fairly on axis and used as a fill anyway - i don't think it made a tremendous amount of difference.

I really do want the OCF from off to the side.

Fair enough, I'd want that too if possible. Thanks for the warning on the cold shoe breaking, not fun.

Best of luck with the event.
 
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