Beach group shot lighting compensation question

[Galaxy99]

I will do some group shots (10-14 people) on beach during a sunny day in a few days. I choose beach because I don't have good lighting source for indoor group ones. However, I realize that the Harsh sunlight can be double blade sword for the photos as well. If I have the group face the sun, I will get harsh lighting on their full face and they will have hard time to open their eyes. If they stand with an angel towards the sun, then there will be shade on the side. I only have a 580 EX and 430 EX, I wonder if I could overpower the shade for a group picture.

I like to know your experience on this kind of lighting situation. What kind of setup? What kind of equipment do I need to obtain the best shot as possible and portable? If they can be purchased online, where can I get them?

Thank you in advance for your input.

[PacAce]

Have you considered having the group so that the sun is behind them instead of in front of them and then using the flash to light the group? If you are going to be at the beach, the sand, if very light in color, should be reflecting light all over the place so you shouldn't need a very strong flash to shoot the group.

[Galaxy99]

thought about that, but is my 580EX with bounce card powerful enough to do so? Do I need any help with other stuff to lighten up everybody's face?

[PacAce]

thought about that, but is my 580EX with bounce card powerful enough to do so? Do I need any help with other stuff to lighten up everybody's face?
Why would you use a bounce card? You should be using direct flash since there's nothing that's going to help you bounce the flash light other than the sand below you.

[Dermit]

You will likely be OK to use the 580EX without a bounce. Just shoot direct and see what that gets you. The bounce might work, but if not shoot direct. Another option would be to get a large reflector and bounce some natural light back into the shadows.

[Galaxy99]

Why would you use a bounce card? You should be using direct flash since there's nothing that's going to help you bounce the flash light other than the sand below you. I have a 20/80. I don't know if the golden filler would help on reflect the flash...

[Galaxy99]

You will likely be OK to use the 580EX without a bounce. Just shoot direct and see what that gets you. The bounce might work, but if not shoot direct. Another option would be to get a large reflector and bounce some natural light back into the shadows. what kind of large reflector should I get, size, silver or white? Will it make people can't open their eyes?

[namasste]

I don't use Canon flashes so this might not hold but can't you shoot one on camera as a master (set not to flash) and use the other as a slave off camera? If so, have them face mostly away from the sun and use the off camera flash with even a homemade bounce card to light the faces. Just a thought. I use triggers but I am pretty sure my Sigma can be used as a master/slave combo with the master set not to flash without triggers so I'd imagine those higher end Canon's would do the same.

[Galaxy99]

I don't use Canon flashes so this might not hold but can't you shoot one on camera as a master (set not to flash) and use the other as a slave off camera? If so, have them face mostly away from the sun and use the off camera flash with even a homemade bounce card to light the faces. Just a thought. I use triggers but I am pretty sure my Sigma can be used as a master/slave combo with the master set not to flash without triggers so I'd imagine those higher end Canon's would do the same.Hmmm... Will a 430Ex with a 43" silver umbrella off camera on a lighting stand enough? If so, where should I place the flash and umbrella? Right by the shade against the sun? facing up or facing down? Sorry, I am not good at flash thing at all...

[namasste]

Hmmm... Will a 430Ex with a 43" silver umbrella off camera on a lighting stand enough? If so, where should I place the flash and umbrella? Right by the shade against the sun? facing up or facing down? Sorry, I am not good at flash thing at all...


there are many here far more qualified than I to answer this but basically consider that you have two light sources, the sun and your flash. Ideally, you'll want to cross the two to eliminate odd shadowing. You can always get creative but for basic lighting, that's how I'd shoot it. You can definitely use the unbrella. I'd probably get it fairly high and facing right at the subject. Shoot a few, check the histogram and add FEC as needed. If overexposed, stop down a bit or increase shutter before reducing FEC. Again, jut my two cents but then again, I mainly shoot sports so I bet some of the portrait folks can help a lot more and may even tell you my suggestions are nuts!

[Wilt]

I will do some group shots (10-14 people) on beach during a sunny day in a few days. I choose beach because I don't have good lighting source for indoor group ones. However, I realize that the Harsh sunlight can be double blade sword for the photos as well. If I have the group face the sun, I will get harsh lighting on their full face and they will have hard time to open their eyes. If they stand with an angel towards the sun, then there will be shade on the side. I only have a 580 EX and 430 EX, I wonder if I could overpower the shade for a group picture.

I like to know your experience on this kind of lighting situation. What kind of setup? What kind of equipment do I need to obtain the best shot as possible and portable? If they can be purchased online, where can I get them?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Stand group with sun to their backs. This puts faces in shadow. Now fire flash as synchro sun fill, to a level about -1EV in intensity compared to the sunlit scene, for a more natural looking fill.

With a normal angle lens (not 105mm) the 580EX has guide number about 157. This allows you to be out to 14' from your subject, shoot at f/16 on lens and the flash provides -1EV fill, assuming ISO 100, with 1/100 shutter. Or 20' out from the subject, shooting at f/11 on the lens with 1/200 shutter and ISO 100.

[Galaxy99]

Very instructive, Wilt. Thank you.