Stuck in a Predicament ... need insight

[Geaux]

Ok, so a month or so ago I agreed to do a child's portrait for the family to use as Christmas cards. Since then, I've been busy like a wild child every weekend (personal/family reasons) since and looks like the only open date is Nov. 28th (Sunday after Thanksgiving). It's the only day to shoot in the golden hour (which I prefer), but it looks like I might have to do an early morning shoot (before 10am), so I have some time to get these edits done (She wants a half hour session - with 35-50 edited good shots -- Not sure she understands how that works lol)

So here's my question: I need some insight on how to battle shadows (we're shooting in a PARK). I know I'd need fill flash (I have a sb600) and I'll be using my 35mm 1.8.

Should I stick with my pop up flash as a filler? Will my sb600 work, or will it blow everything out when I use the sb? (I tried to use the filler with sb when I went to a cemetery, but it blew everything out like CRAZY)

 

[phiya]

You need to turn down the power of the flash if it's blowing everything out. It can be balanced with the available light.

SB-600 examples


Jackson-1 by Ricky Jay, on Flickr

As fill light:

Cassie Pumpkin by Ricky Jay, on Flickr

 

[kundalini]

Assuming you'll be using the sun as yor main light, I would definitely bring a diffuser to even out and soften the light. Use your SB-600 as fill.

If you're in a park, I would think space is not a problem. Bring a longer focal length lens. Keep the backgrounds simple, preferably a dense green hedgerow.

 

[Geaux]

I have a stofen diffuser which will be used. Should I point it at 45 degree or directly at subject?

Edit: You meant a large diffuser .... hmm, don't have one of those or a reflector.

 

[jhp1]

Shoot manual, get a light reading for the ambient light and adjust your falsh to about 1 stop above, this will make the flash your main light and the ambient your fill. Take care to watch your distance on the flash. Or use balanced ttl, works well in difficult situations.

 

[tirediron]

Reflectors, reflectors, reflectors!!! You'll likely need both the '600 and your built-in, but as well I would invest in some large pieces of white or very light yellow poster-board (assuming you don't have "proper" photo reflectors). These will be a huge help in reducing deep shadows, eliminating raccoon eyes, etc.

 

[Geaux]

Ahhh, white posterboard is a good idea. I'll have my assisstant (aka wife) with me lol.

Can't do onboard and 600, the 600 will be attached on camera as I can't go off with it (no triggers... yet)

I'm planning on shooting in Aperture mode (not comfortable enough shooting in Manual with a family I don't know) and using iTTL and spot metering off the face to get the flash to illuminate correctly. We'll see though, once I get out there and into the flow, I might try a little manual here and there.

 

[tirediron]

Ahhh, white posterboard is a good idea. I'll have my assisstant (aka wife) with me lol.

Can't do onboard and 600, the 600 will be attached on camera as I can't go off with it (no triggers... yet).

If you don't have a body which supports Commander Mode, optical triggers are cheap and cheerful - usually <$20.

 

[misstwinklytoes]

Am I the only one that saw 30-50 edited keepers in half an hour??

 

[tirediron]

Am I the only one that saw 30-50 edited keepers in half an hour??

No, I took the OP's comment about his being unsure she knew how things worked to mean that was a non-starter and he would explain things to her.

 

[Geaux]

Tire, I know triggers can be had for cheap, but they wouldn't get here in time for the weekend if I had to do it this saturday.

 

[mrpink]

Ahhh, white posterboard is a good idea. I'll have my assisstant (aka wife) with me lol.

Can't do onboard and 600, the 600 will be attached on camera as I can't go off with it (no triggers... yet).

If you don't have a body which supports Commander Mode, optical triggers are cheap and cheerful - usually <$20.

but somewhat unreliable in bright sunlight.








p!nK

 

[Christie Photo]

So here's my question: I need some insight on how to battle shadows (we're shooting in a PARK).

Do the trees still have leaves down there? If so, take them to the edge of a tree line, just into the shadows, and work there. No flash, no reflectors... just a nice, big piece of sky for lighting (not the sun).

Good luck!

-Pete

 

[gsgary]

Am I the only one that saw 30-50 edited keepers in half an hour??

Yes it's going to be shoot and hope, 30 minutes is not long enough to get set up and take some light readings for flash and ambient and then get 35-50 keepers

 

[tirediron]

but somewhat unreliable in bright sunlight.

Possibly, but I'm going on the assumption that if he's using an SB-600, he's not going to be all that far away.

Tire, I know triggers can be had for cheap, but they wouldn't get here in time for the weekend if I had to do it this saturday.

You don't have a real bricks and mortar camera store that you can go to?