Looking for advice on Lighting

[J4MIE_P]

Hello Everyone,

Right now I'm stuck in a dilemma at the moment and was wondering if someone could help me as to the best solution at present without spending more money on equipment (I've decided that in the future I will need to go down one specific route) but anyway here's the problem.

I have;
Canon 580EX MKI
Canon 430EX MKII
Nikon SB-25

Now when I'm at my weddings I tend to use a lot of off camera flash, which is great I can have my 580 on camera set to master and not firing and have the 430 firing off camera to get some dramatic images (or the same with the 580 firing on a low setting for fill)

But my problem lies with first dance photographs. I have the option of;
a) Using a 580 on camera bounced with a 430 off camera to create some lighting whether that be key or rim lighting.
b) Using my PT-04's and having both 580 and 430 (or 430 and sb-25) etc, etc. Off camera.

If I go for option a i'm limited to line of sight which can be problematic at weddings. If I go for option b i'm limited to not having a flash on the camera for the af assist lamp, which in a dark reception is a god send!!

So what do you guys think I should use for an upcoming reception? A or B?
Or another idea if you have one?


I think the plan for the future will be to get pocketwizards or those new YongNuo triggers where you can place a flash on camera.

Many Thanks
Jamie Palmer

 

[J4MIE_P]

Anyone else willing to contribute/ or offer any advice it WILL be greatly apprecaited!

Many Thanks
Jamie Palmer

 

[HoppyUK]

It's not really an either or question Jamie. It depends.

Looks to me like you need a bit more kit in order to have all the options covered.

 

[J4MIE_P]

haha I knew that would be the answer. Damn money

Anyway, I have an upcoming wedding this weekend and going for a different setup this time so just wanted to see what people thought, my usual setup is just on camera bounced.

But I think I'm going to go with optionA as I can't risk not getting focus without the af assist beam

 

[Triggaaar]

But my problem lies with first dance photographs. I have the option of;
a) Using a 580 on camera bounced with a 430 off camera to create some lighting whether that be key or rim lighting.
b) Using my PT-04's and having both 580 and 430 (or 430 and sb-25) etc, etc. Off camera.

If I go for option a i'm limited to line of sight which can be problematic at weddings. If I go for option b i'm limited to not having a flash on the camera for the af assist lamp, which in a dark reception is a god send!!

How are you supporting the off camera flashes and keeping them safe? Depending on the ceiling at the venue, and whether you can consistently trigger the 2nd flash, I’d try option a, with the off camera flash as the key light, the on camera as a little bit of fill, and taking some ambient too.

 

[J4MIE_P]

That's was my plan Mike.

The reception is quite lowish ceilings with white paint so can bounce really easily.
Flashes will be supported with strong light stands so that's not too bad of an issue.

I think I'll use the off camera as either a fill or rim light (yet to be decided) or maybe both
And the on camera just to provide a bit of fill

 

[Triggaaar]

It depends on how easily you can keep the stands, away from people's feet, but that's the only reason I'd prefer option a.

So you're saying both flashes providing fill, and therefore taking a fair amount of ambient light? Many ways to skin a cat no doubt, but I like the idea of the off camera flash acting as a key light, to the side and higher than the couple, with the on camera flash providing fill (either off the ceiling, or just with a diffuser aimed up). I'd also like some ambient light if you were including others in the shot.

 

[J4MIE_P]

Sorry that was me being an idiot, yes off camera flash as key, and on camera flash as fill. Sorry.

Than obviously letting some ambient light through aswell to get some of the atmosphere of the night