Portable Lighting Setup

[fsquare]

I have two SB-600s that I want to configure a small portable studio with. Would this be sufficient to taking portraits of MAXIMUM 3 people at a time?

I was thinking, 2 x stands, 1 x softbox, 2 x 45" umbrellas and I figure i wouldn't need any triggers since i can control both speedlights using i-ttl.

What do you guys think? Sufficient?

 

[ghache]

With 1 medium and 2 45 inch umbrella you can deffinetly shoot 3 people.
You can control both speedlight with the commander but i found that in harsh sun light they dont work really well.
a cheap set of triggers will leave you in manual but they will fire if the conditions are not working with cls.

 

[kundalini]

Do you have any reflectors? They come in handy and in multiple sizes. If you're going solo, another stand with a reflector boom arm would be a bonus. The boom arm would also give you alot more options to place your softbox. You'll then need a way to mount the softbox to the arm such as a Manfrotto Superclamp.

More people need more light.

Assuming you have Commander Mode on your camera, then yes, you can trigger flashes as is. Keep in mind that the pre-flash will likely show as a catch light dead center of the pupil.

 

[tirediron]

Sufficient; perhaps not ideal, but it will do. I wouldn't rely totally on the CLS however as that requires line-of-sight communication between commander and slave units.

 

[KmH]

I think you'll find using iTTL returns less than hoped for results.

The camera does not know what you are making an image of.

By using iTTL you are giving a lot of artistic control to the camera.

To many photographers today, rely way to much on automatic this and automatic that, IMO.

 

[fsquare]

To many photographers today, rely way to much on automatic this and automatic that, IMO.

I like that answer. Thanks

and thanks guys...i just need to come up with a list of things to buy including triggers. Anyone care to make my life easier?

 

[KmH]

You bet. Get a hand held flash meter, and learn how to use it.

It takes the guess work out of strobed lighting, which is why pros and advanced amateur's use them.

 

[D-B-J]

i would also reccomend a reflector. I havent bought one yet, but have watched and read countless pro's talk about them an WOW they can make a huge difference.

I was looking into this one for a simple/cheap setup.

INT273 Interfit Photographic 42" 5-in-1 Reflector Kit with Support Arm and Air Stand

Regards,
Jake

 

[ghache]

To many photographers today, rely way to much on automatic this and automatic that, IMO.

I like that answer. Thanks

and thanks guys...i just need to come up with a list of things to buy including triggers. Anyone care to make my life easier?

Yongnuo CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger + 3 Receiver on eBay.ca (item 270629347200 end time 28-Jan-11 12:56:26 EST)

triggers
The only problem with these triggers: they really dont like the cold weather. shooting outside in the winter is a pain. after 30 min in the cold they stop fireing.


Softbox For SpeedLight Flash 60cm Portable Soft box on eBay.ca (item 110551030562 end time 18-Feb-11 21:07:55 EST)

24X24 softbox that work amazingly well.

Impact Air-Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand - Black, LS-96HAB#

2 like this and you are all set.
i have one and they are really well made,
since you will be shooting with umbrellas, i would get these once since the base is a little bit large and it will gives you stability over the 30 $ small stands.


Bowens Umbrella - Silver and White, 46" BW-4046 B&H Photo

i have one and i use it all the time and its really well made.

Medalight Universal Umbrella Bracket with Swivel Mount PGSH B&H

umbrella brackets. they comes with the regular pin that screws directly into the bottom of the flash triggers.


i would get this just in case you need more power to outpower the sunlight

Interfit Strobie Twin Metal Umbrella Bracket STR144 B&H Photo


Now, this is some of the gear i own and use all the time, its cheap and they work well. nothing has failed on me so far.

 

[fsquare]

Thanks ghache! I'll take a look.