How to avoid shadows with 2 550ex?

[sigler]

Does anybody have advice on how to avoid harsh shadows when taking portraits with two 550ex's?

Or advice on using these 2 flashes?

Thanks!

Sigler

[barnold999]

one flash from front left and one from front right... if you are looking for no shadows on the face... if you want no shadows in the back... bounce one in the front, and flash one on the back.

[sigler]

So if I don't want shadows on the background, aim the main light to the ceiling, and aim the 2nd light at only the background?

Thanks so much for helping a newbie!

S

[barnold999]

Well, actually I have never done a 2 flash setup myself, but I have done lighting for theatre stuff my whole life.

Yeah, aim one at the ceiling and the 2nd at the backdrop. Provided the ceiling is low enough, if you have 30 foot ceilings you cant bounce off that... in that case... try aiming it at the ceiling and put a white card behind the flash which will bounce it back forward REAL soft... or look in to this thing called a softbox, B&H should have it. If you are going to be doing portraits a lot a softbox may be helpful.

But like I also mentioned a flash from left and right works well... look at where the shadows fall... they may not fall on the background, and in that case you are fine... depends on the effect you want to go for... play around, you are on digital, you can take lots of photos.

[robertwgross]

It gets really interesting with a multi-flash setup at a wedding. After the ceremony, one photographer sets up his camera and flashes shooting at the bride. Then I hide behind (!) the bride with another flash aimed at her back. All of this is wirelessly coupled.

Great fun. I just have to have a good understanding with the bride as to my intentions.

---Bob Gross---

[Morden]

or look in to this thing called a softbox, B&H should have it. If you are going to be doing portraits a lot a softbox may be helpful.
Softboxes do the trick nicely. I use a couple of brollies (reversible white/silver) with my 550EX & 420EX. They give me nice, soft light. Also, brollies are inexpensive.

[sigler]

I plan on supporting the flashes with 2 old tripods that I have. Can umbrellas be attached to these guys, or do I need to purchase light stands?

Thanks!!!

S

[martcol]

So help me with two flashes and some portraiture outside (no ceiling to bounce from). Hopefully bright day. One flash will have to remain on the body (no budget for further kit), no brollies, trollies or dollies!

I'm thnking one flash on camera and the other, held by a willing assistant, from the side. Would it still be better to have the slave fire from behind subject? In my mind it seems that using the slave from the side will keep some shadow/detail in the face. There will be no hard background for any real shadow to fall on.

Bob, you seem to be saying you stand behind and point your flash directly at the bride (oo-er). Studio guys seem to be saying put a slave flash and point it at the wall/backdrop?

Martin

[slejhamer]

sigler wrote:
I plan on supporting the flashes with 2 old tripods that I have. Can umbrellas be attached to these guys, or do I need to purchase light stands?

Thanks!!!

S

Rob - you will need an umbrella clamp with a hot shoe, like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh6/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=50067&is=REG

They work very well; the bottom has a reversible plug with two thread sizes; one of them should fit your tripod's screw.

A light stand will generally extend much taller than a tripod, however, giving you more flexibility on light placement.