Help with outdoor portrait lighting

[GarrettAnderson]

I have been doing a lot of photography with outdoor portraits. Actually just started my own side job doing that with people around town.

My question is, what is the next best thing to enhance portrait lighting for outdoors? Ive read a diffuser?

Currently, my set up is this.

Nikon D40
Slaves [not sure if this is the right term.] (makes the flash go off when i snap the pic]
10.5mm
18-55mm
55-200mm VR
nikon Sb-24 flash

 

[IgsEMT]

an umbrella or a softbox would definitely enhance your images. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgL_vV2XtB0&feature=related]YouTube - Portrait session outdoors with off camera flash[/ame]

 

[GarrettAnderson]

Nice video.

Any type you would recommend? brand-wise

 

[IgsEMT]

personally, makes no difference. Just preset your WB and have a blast.

 

[GarrettAnderson]

So the soft box just clamps right onto the flash eh?

 

[GarrettAnderson]

and would you say this is what i was looking for?

NEW24"x36"LARGE PRO PHOTO LIGHT SOFTBOX SOFT BOX + RING - eBay (item 330425646626 end time Apr-26-10 16:00:26 PDT)

 

[j-digg]

Id say check out reflectors...wow they can really enhance images, and theyre relatively cheap too.. You can get 5 in 1s that include black, white, silver, gold and a diffuser as well.. you may need someone to help you place and hold it for you though, but not in all cases.

 

[IgsEMT]

All images came from B&H site
Smith-Victor | White Translucent Umbrella 45" | 670138

+
something like this Photek | Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter | SMA-1000 | B&H Photo Video to mount the flash on with umbrella. Plus you got the slave units already.

placed on the lightstand, here's a small & cheap one Impact | Light Stand - Black, 6' | 2205 | B&H Photo Video

Doesn't necessarily have to be this setup, you can use reflective umbrella, or a softbox but you get the idea.

 

[kami]

an umbrella or a softbox would definitely enhance your images. YouTube - Portrait session outdoors with off camera flash

I think he has him umbrella on backwards.

 

[IgsEMT]

Originally Posted by IgsEMT
an umbrella or a softbox would definitely enhance your images. YouTube - Portrait session outdoors with off camera flash

I think he has him umbrella on backwards. ;-)

I didn't really see it. I just put it into the search

 

[KmH]

and would you say this is what i was looking for?

NEW24"x36"LARGE PRO PHOTO LIGHT SOFTBOX SOFT BOX + RING - eBay (item 330425646626 end time Apr-26-10 16:00:26 PDT)

That can't be easily used with speedlight without some jury rigging. It's for use with studio strobes and is basically a CPoS.

Check out the Westcott Apollo series.

Westcott | Apollo Speedlight Set | 2202 | B&H Photo Video

 

[table1349]

So the soft box just clamps right onto the flash eh?

No it is attached to a light stand on a bracket that the flash head also attaches to like this. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W]Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photo / Video 24" Large Speedlite Flash Softbox with L-Bracket, Shoe Mount & Carry Case: Camera & Photo[/ame]

 

[table1349]

and would you say this is what i was looking for?

NEW24"x36"LARGE PRO PHOTO LIGHT SOFTBOX SOFT BOX + RING - eBay (item 330425646626 end time Apr-26-10 16:00:26 PDT)

That can't be easily used with speedlight without some jury rigging. It's for use with studio strobes and is basically a CPoS.

Check out the Westcott Apollo series.

Westcott | Apollo Speedlight Set | 2202 | B&H Photo Video

Actually it's quite easy. All you need is a speed ring bracket adapter. A 24 X 36 softbox is one of my favorite portables when using flash units.

This is on of my favorite portable stands to use. It will support an umbrella/softbox and flash unit as a vertical flash stand or it can be used to hold reflectors, hair lights on the boom arm or to hold a diffuser. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-Convertible-Stand-Black/dp/B00009XV2N]Amazon.com: Bogen - Manfrotto Convertible Boom/Stand 420 - Black: Camera & Photo[/ame]

Also good to have would be a few sand bags to hold the stands down.

 

[GarrettAnderson]

So the soft box just clamps right onto the flash eh?

No it is attached to a light stand on a bracket that the flash head also attaches to like this. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W"]Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photo / Video 24" Large Speedlite Flash Softbox with L-Bracket, Shoe Mount & Carry Case: Camera & Photo[/ame]

This may be my next photography equipment purchase.
I will need a flash stand with this item wont I?
any flash stands for less than 50 dollars out there that are legit?

 

[table1349]

So the soft box just clamps right onto the flash eh?

No it is attached to a light stand on a bracket that the flash head also attaches to like this. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W"]Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photo / Video 24" Large Speedlite Flash Softbox with L-Bracket, Shoe Mount & Carry Case: Camera & Photo[/ame]

This may be my next photography equipment purchase.
I will need a flash stand with this item wont I?
any flash stands for less than 50 dollars out there that are legit?

Most that I have seen are around $90.00 for the boom type. You should be able to find some decent lightweight 8' stands for $50.00 and 10' stands for around $60.00 at any good photography shop.

Here is one flash/softbox bracket. Lastolite, Manufacturer of Softboxes and a Wide Range of Studio Equipment. There are others out there as well or you could maker your own. Here is some ideas from another fourm. Firing A Shoe Mount Flash In To A Standard Speed Ring: Solutions? - Canon Digital Photography Forums