VideoUniversity.com
Home Free Library Store
Free Catalog

Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more. <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com?BI=603&KBID=1017"><IMG src="/images/flash_ads/videoUniv2_revised_conv.jpg" alt="B&H Photo" width="260" height="70"></a>
Video University Sponsor
Advertisement

See The New VU Postcard Catalog

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members
Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index Search Posts
Who's Online Log In



Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Portable lighting kit?

 
 


KevinShaw
Veteran

Apr 22, 2008, 4:17 PM

Post #1 of 8 (520 views)
Shortcut
Portable lighting kit? Can't Post
What sort of lighting kit would folks recommend for taking wedding photos at the top of a ski tram where everything has to be carried up in one trip (including the cameras)? I'm thinking either 1-2 AC powered strobes with umbrellas or just some umbrella stands with our camera flashes mounted on those to minimize the amount of gear to carry. Any specific recommendations for this situation welcome...


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 22, 2008, 10:16 PM

Post #2 of 8 (496 views)
Shortcut
Re: [KevinShaw] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
Just use small strobes (camera mounted) and don't worry about AC powered strobes. Use light-weight light stands to set them up. You need a type that have optical triggers (unless you have radio controlled triggers) except if other people are taking photos they will trip any optical triggers you may have.

I guess I should ask what equipment you already have...

-Postal


KevinShaw
Veteran

Apr 22, 2008, 11:53 PM

Post #3 of 8 (469 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Postal Boy] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
We're using Canon Digital Rebels and have several on-camera flashes we can use, including a 430EX and a 580EX plus a generic flash with a shoe-mount optical trigger. It sounds like I could just buy a couple of light stands with umbrellas and the appropriate brackets, then use the 580EX as the main light and trigger with the others used for front fill and key. Does that sound about right?


KevinShaw
Veteran

Apr 23, 2008, 12:34 AM

Post #4 of 8 (464 views)
Shortcut
Re: [KevinShaw] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
P.S. This umbrella stand kit from B&H looks like it might do the trick using our existing flash units:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._Umbrella_Mount.html


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 24, 2008, 10:16 AM

Post #5 of 8 (400 views)
Shortcut
Re: [KevinShaw] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
Two flashes is plenty for most work...use your 580ex on the camera and the 430ex on a stand for directional light (get it up above 7 feet high or bounce it off of the ceiling somewhere). The camera flash (if you can diffuse it at all, even with a simple bounce card) can be used to even out the lighting (you don't want it flat - you want the directional ligth to be the main - but you want to soften any shadows it casts). Going to be taking pictures outside or inside?


KevinShaw
Veteran

Apr 24, 2008, 2:47 PM

Post #6 of 8 (383 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Postal Boy] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Going to be taking pictures outside or inside?
Some of both with an indoor ceremony but plenty of outdoor shots too, probably with a snowy background and plenty of California sunshine. I may need the flash units as much outdoors as indoors, and a bounce card sounds like a good idea. There's the built-in mini-bounce card on the 580EX and we have a Gary Fong "lightsphere" which my wife likes, so I suppose we'll try those. I'd better get to taking some test shots over the next week or so, as the wedding's coming up.


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 25, 2008, 2:32 PM

Post #7 of 8 (343 views)
Shortcut
Re: [KevinShaw] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
The little "bounce card" on the flash is not meant to be a bounce card, but a catch light reflector is all. It doesn't put much light forward - just gives them a "sparkle" in the eye.

If you are outdoors with snow you MAY want to just get a collapsable reflector. They make 5-in-1 and 3-in-1 reflectors for under $50 and if you ahve an assistant then bouncing light at them can be better than a flash...and they don't break when they get knocked over. Dont work well in the wind, though, unless someone is actually holding them.


KevinShaw
Veteran

Apr 25, 2008, 7:14 PM

Post #8 of 8 (328 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Postal Boy] Portable lighting kit? [In reply to] Can't Post
Ah, good reminder to bring our reflector for the outdoor/snow shots. Thanks!