On Location Portraits

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kluen

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Not sure if im thinking along the right lines here but....

I'm wanting to start doing on location portraits / promotional shots with an aim to end up in a position where I go to shoot a gig, I can get there an hour early and grab some quick headshots or group shots of the band.

These will be pretty informal, not used commercially, just something extra for me and the local bands I shoot, I'm not looking for spectacular results, but as I'm gigging 4 times a week it might be a nice way for me to learn and build on my photography.

Background: I need to be fairly portable, I usually take the bus, I don't want to carry too much luggage, I'm currently reading Light: Science and Magic and ofcourse Strobist to get started on theory.

I currently have a 580EXII and ST-E2.

I was considering buying a 2 x 430 EXII's with a few stands, would this be the way to go? What extras will I need ontop, e.g. softboxes, shoot through brolly, cold shoes etc.

I've seen the Lencarta/Elemental starter kits linked in another thread but know .nothing. about "studio(?)" lights, would something like these fill my brief?:

http://www.lencarta.com/smartflash-...smartflash-twin-softbox-starter-kit/index.php

http://www.studio-flash.com/b-serie.../b-series-mega-studio-3-sale-price-p-273.html

My budget will be £400-600.
 
Either kit will do the job, but the Lencarta is a far better kit for not much more money.
leaving aside the things that sound like a sales pitch, and just dealing with the obvious, major differences...
The recycling time on the Lencarta is 3x faster, important unless you're shooting still life
The modelling lamp is twice as bright
The radio trigger has a better range
The flash duration on the Lencarta is only 1/1800th sec - not stated on on the others but probably much longer, important if you need to freeze action
And most important, the Lencarta takes Bowens S fit accessories, which means that you can add to the kit as your skills develop, the other one has fixed reflectors, so is hardly expandable at all.

Mind you, the other kit seems to come with a nicer bag...
And the Lencarta 5 in 1 reflector is sold out, won't have any more until tomorrow...
 
I'd go for speedlights as you mention portability.

a few konig stands from 7 day shop with umbrella adapters a few umbrellas. FiTP sells suitable softboxes work well

I'd be tempted to go for radio slaves and manual control but thats what I know as I don't know the canon wireless system too well
 
The beauty of using speedlites as your light source is the flexibility it will give you, as you can take it anywhere and set it up anywhere (within reason of course). You dont need to hunt for a mains source to power the gear.

I've started out using just one speedlite on stand with one of 'flash in the pans' softboxes and a 5 in 1 reflector and although doesnt compare to a multi-light setup does give some pleasing almost professional looking results. I'm sure in the right hands (other than my own) it would actually give professional looking results! :nuts:

For each light source, I think you'll need...

Light stand (konig from Amazon)
Cold shoe adaptor for either softbox/brolly
Brolly or softbox with speedlite fitting.
Speedlite.

I'm still learning so if I have missed any kit out please anyone feel free to add in the detail.

With the Canon speedlite system I think it uses ETTL to assess the right level of flash, so in theory othering than adjusting individual flash compensation it will do all the work for you. At the moment I prefer manual both for control and to learn so have the cheap option.
 
only things missing there are some hard light mods, grid spots, snoots and maybe a beauty dish (I massively want one)
 
Marcus Geezer said:
The beauty of using speedlites as your light source is the flexibility it will give you, as you can take it anywhere and set it up anywhere (within reason of course). You dont need to hunt for a mains source to power the gear.

I've started out using just one speedlite on stand with one of 'flash in the pans' softboxes and a 5 in 1 reflector and although doesnt compare to a multi-light setup does give some pleasing almost professional looking results. I'm sure in the right hands (other than my own) it would actually give professional looking results! :nuts:

For each light source, I think you'll need...

Light stand (konig from Amazon)
Cold shoe adaptor for either softbox/brolly
Brolly or softbox with speedlite fitting.
Speedlite.

I'm still learning so if I have missed any kit out please anyone feel free to add in the detail.

With the Canon speedlite system I think it uses ETTL to assess the right level of flash, so in theory othering than adjusting individual flash compensation it will do all the work for you. At the moment I prefer manual both for control and to learn so have the cheap option.
Click to expand...

Just a trigger ....

Cord or radio.


:thumbs:
 
markw08 said:
Just a trigger ....

Cord or radio.


:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Think the ST-E2 is doing that on the camera and the Canon speedlites will act as the slaves.

Nice to see I werent too far out!
 
kluen said:
Not sure if im thinking along the right lines here but....

I'm wanting to start doing on location portraits / promotional shots with an aim to end up in a position where I go to shoot a gig, I can get there an hour early and grab some quick headshots or group shots of the band.

These will be pretty informal, not used commercially, just something extra for me and the local bands I shoot, I'm not looking for spectacular results, but as I'm gigging 4 times a week it might be a nice way for me to learn and build on my photography.

Background: I need to be fairly portable, I usually take the bus, I don't want to carry too much luggage, I'm currently reading Light: Science and Magic and ofcourse Strobist to get started on theory.

I currently have a 580EXII and ST-E2.

I was considering buying a 2 x 430 EXII's with a few stands, would this be the way to go? What extras will I need ontop, e.g. softboxes, shoot through brolly, cold shoes etc.

I've seen the Lencarta/Elemental starter kits linked in another thread but know .nothing. about "studio(?)" lights, would something like these fill my brief?:

http://www.lencarta.com/smartflash-...smartflash-twin-softbox-starter-kit/index.php

http://www.studio-flash.com/b-serie.../b-series-mega-studio-3-sale-price-p-273.html

My budget will be £400-600.
Click to expand...

Using hot-shoe guns and studio flash units are really two completely different ways of working. It sounds to me like hot-shoe guns are the way to go for you, and they will be a bit more portable on the bus.

If you're prepared to work in manual (as you would have to do with studio units anyway) then you could do it very cheaply with a couple of Yongnuo guns (£35) and RF-602 triggers (£28 a set).

Have a loook here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=157807
 
Couple of Manfotto stands (should last you a lifetime,) along with a shoot through white umbrella, softbox and a couple of 580/550 or 430s (550s last longer), loads of spare batteries and reflector. When you feel you have outgrown the simple setup then go onto beauty dishes, larger softboxes etc, if you can carry it on the bus.
I take a 3 head small studio setup on all my jobs in all locations, only wish they made really light stands!

Oh and when you realise the canon infra red is rubbish, get some Qflash and pocketwizards ;);)
 
Edtog said:
Oh and when you realise the canon infra red is rubbish, get some Qflash and pocketwizards ;);)
Click to expand...

Apologies if this is thread jacking but I'd be interested to hear more about this. The Canon IR rubbish bit I mean.
 
you dont have to buy massive softboxes just some small fold up ones that can fit in your bag.

i do a few on location portraits but mostly in forests and stuff but i swear by gorrillapods, they are awesome for holding a flash, receiver and small softbox.
 
Thank you for all the replies so far, it seems some speedlites are the way to go for me, for the time being atleast.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Apologies if this is thread jacking but I'd be interested to hear more about this. The Canon IR rubbish bit I mean.
Click to expand...

It is OK in a smallish room, with line of sight, but try it outside (especially on a sunny day) and it doesn't work that well, if at all.
 
Edtog said:
It is OK in a smallish room, with line of sight, but try it outside (especially on a sunny day) and it doesn't work that well, if at all.
Click to expand...

I've only had this problem once with Canon E-TTL on a bright day outside, and it was solved by shading the slave's sensor. Accept that it's a potential problem though and I have a set of radio triggers (that I use for other stuff) just in case but never actually used them with the Speedlights outside yet.
 
living in the dirty north, in the middle of a triangle of 3 power stations, I havent suffered this problem yet! :lol:
 
I would go with the 3 x Speedlight options. You'd struggle carrying the studio strobes on and off the bus and this system is far more flexible for out of studio shoots.
 
So, going with the speedlites, time to write a shopping list.

What modifiers would be suggested for me to start with? Not wanting to over complicate the learning curve or give myself too many variables to worry about controling, so the basic stuff.

i'm thinking (guesswork):

Key (580EXII):
light stand
FITP softbox

Fill (430EXII or similar):
light stand
FITP brolly
FITP coldshoe brolly adaptor

Back (430EXII or similar):
light stand
FITP coldshoe adaptor
no modifier (?)

Reflector, lots of batteries.

I've no doubt missed something and i'll stick with the ST-E2 and see how it goes, with my work not being commercial its not yet a problem if it fails.

With exception to the flash units it would be great to source everything from one place (FITP?:naughty:).

Thanks again.
 
I'd grab radio slaves 'just in case' to your FiTP order, maybe grab a second brolly in case you want 2 brollies as a softbox can be too controlled

light stands are konig from 7dayshop or amazon as afaik flash aint got any in

maybe whip up a few homemade snoots or grids (I need to make a grid at some point :S)

a set of the strobisty gells that stick to the flash could be handy for balancing with ambient indoors or adding colours, check out the pack you buy as it has multiple identical colour gels and they're a nicer size my lee filters sample pack is a bit crappy
 
If you are thinking of taking that much a roller bag will help as well.
 
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