Setting up a Portable Studio

[pumbaa]

My apologies if this is a topic thats been done to death before. I am after some pointers on setting up a Portable Studio for portraits - I don't want to go into too much detail right now except to say the emphasis here is on the portable aspect.

I'll be the first to admit that I have very limited knowledge regarding lighting setups - no, I'll be honest, I have NO knowledge.

Budget is an issue, but until I can determine what equipment I need, then I can dive into the detail of equipment specifics.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[Wilt]

You might want to get more specific in your inquiry! With a vague information request, I would initially respond,
"Get two battery-operated speedlights, mount one on a cheap stand, use an optical slave to trigger the remote one." Or,
"Get two photoflood lights in reflectors and put them on cheap stands." Or,
"Find two inexpensive 150 w-s studio flash units, and use an optical slave to trigger the remote one if it does not have an optical slave built in."

All are 'portable' !

[Dermit]

I've seen many photogs do just fine with a set of reflectors and no flash. Now that is portable.

[TeeJay]

An awful lot will also depend on how you define "portrait".

Do you mean "head and shoulders" or "full length" body shots?

What may start out as one person, soon jumps to two people, three, four or larger groups!

Each requiring some thought and their own lighting arrangement.

Help us out here!

TJ

[pumbaa]

I was being deliberately vague initially just to test you all. Frankly I need help as I know absolutely nothing about portrait photography, lighting equipment, techniques etc. Its also worth pointing out that my wife is the brains behind this venture - I'm just the techy geek who then scopes out whats needed to satisfy her needs and purchases what is needed.

In a nutshell then, the scope of this request is based on setting up a Portable Studio that can be taken on location to people's homes etc. Hence the portability issue. I would assume the majority of shots to be taken inside, but where there is scope in certain cases for outdoor shots, these can be entertained. I would expect a full range of shots to be required (i.e. head and shoulders, full length, individuals, family groups, maybe animals....heaven forbid).

Now we have a Speedlite 430, and with what I already know, that ain't good enough in itself. I don't like buying cheap rubbish (hence why I chose Canon over Nikon initially.....) and I've no idea what I need, what is good/bad/indifferent/VFM etc. What I'm trying to do is establish what capital equipment may be required so I can scope out a Business Case in due course.

I hope thats a bit more information, and that you guys can provide some advice. Thanks for your help so far, much appreciated.

[Faolan]

For flash gun rigs go to Strobist, that will give you wealth of tips and advice. Currently I shoot exclusively with Canon flashguns and light modifiers.

Depending on the light I shoot also with reflectors as well. Set up and tear down times are in the region of 10min each way.

More expensive portable lights are the Vagabond, Ranger and so on.

[elysium]

My portable studio is very easy to transport.

1 x 430EX
1 x 580EX II
1 x Portaflash white umbrella
1 x Portaflash umbrella bracket
1 x Flash sync chord if required
1 x tripod for camera or umbrella bracket

All fits into my backpack for transport and setup within minute. Would also like a reflector to compliment this simple setup. Its very handy although I have not tested it for a full body portrait.

[pumbaa]

My portable studio is very easy to transport.

1 x 430EX
1 x 580EX II
1 x Portaflash white umbrella
1 x Portaflash umbrella bracket
1 x Flash sync chord if required
1 x tripod for camera or umbrella bracket

All fits into my backpack for transport and setup within minute. Would also like a reflector to compliment this simple setup. Its very handy although I have not tested it for a full body portrait.

Interesting. Mind if I ask what you use for backgrounds?

[elysium]

Interesting. Mind if I ask what you use for backgrounds?
If im shooting family, I tend to either use my room which has a big red wall so it makes a nice strong background. Other walls are white so I can either bounce off them or the red saving me buying coloured gels. Thats a +1 for my room.

The lounge is being decorated so it is all white so great for simple backgrounds. No need for backdrops.

When im out and about, I tend not to bother with backdrops. I could but im not interested in that. I rather shoot in an everyday environment. My umbrella fits into my tripod bag and can throw everything over my shoulder.

Not sure how I would carry backdrops. Possibly just a big white sheet I could fold up into my backpack.

[JakeWilliams]

Was just about to start a thread along the same lines, but I may as well tag it in here as it is almost the same request made by the first poster. Was just wondering what I could get away with doing a school formal with (just a minimum as I am doing it for my brother - he is the organizer of his Law schools formal). I currently have a 430EX umbrella/stand. Wondering if I could get away with adding a 580EX with another umbrella and just limiting it to 4 people max. What do you guys think?

Cheers

[elysium]

Was just about to start a thread along the same lines, but I may as well tag it in here as it is almost the same request made by the first poster. Was just wondering what I could get away with doing a school formal with (just a minimum as I am doing it for my brother - he is the organizer of his Law schools formal). I currently have a 430EX umbrella/stand. Wondering if I could get away with adding a 580EX with another umbrella and just limiting it to 4 people max. What do you guys think?

Cheers
Yes that would work. What is the size of the umbrella?

[JakeWilliams]

40" transparent shoot through. Maybe buy a bigger one for the main light?
Should I get the canon transmitter to put on my camera to get the wireless e-ttl.
Can anyone else confirm this would be up to standard to get some good quality small group pics?
Cheers

[elysium]

I find my 22" white brolley is good enough for 4 people. 430EX behind it and 580EXII to trigger and for highlights.

Best thing is get some friends to help you out and try it. The ST-E2 is cheaper than a master flash but I would recommend a 580EX so you can have a bit more light to play around with.

[Wilt]

For location work, single (or couples) portraiture, I strongly urge the use of studio flash which have modelling lamps. That way you can see the effect of light placement upon your subject(s)' face. Home shooting permits a bit more time for setup, and individual portraiture I think deserves better than a "hmmm...put a light about here at about this elevation" guessing approach. LCDs on dSLR simply do not show enough information in their small screens to rely upon them for refining the position of lights.

Speedlight portraiture certainly has a place in the world. Shooting group formals at weddings, or a small to medium group, for example, where you have absolutely no ability to refine light placement to better flatter the subject...just too many of them to even bother trying! Or in very rushed circumstances where setup and take down time is at a premium.

[pumbaa]

My portable studio is very easy to transport.

1 x 430EX
1 x 580EX II
1 x Portaflash white umbrella
1 x Portaflash umbrella bracket
1 x Flash sync chord if required
1 x tripod for camera or umbrella bracket

All fits into my backpack for transport and setup within minute. Would also like a reflector to compliment this simple setup. Its very handy although I have not tested it for a full body portrait.

Right, let me check my understanding here - I'm testing myself so bear with me as I learn more about this subject.

So, with your basic setup, you mount the 580EX II on the camera, set up the umbrella on a stand using the bracket, position it correctly with your subject in the desired position, connect the 430EX as a slave and trigger it using the sync chord - correct? If so, how and where do you mount/position the slave flash?

Good lord, I feel stupid asking all these questions :oops:

[elysium]

Right, let me check my understanding here - I'm testing myself so bear with me as I learn more about this subject.

So, with your basic setup, you mount the 580EX II on the camera, set up the umbrella on a stand using the bracket, position it correctly with your subject in the desired position, connect the 430EX as a slave and trigger it using the sync chord - correct? If so, how and where do you mount/position the slave flash?

Good lord, I feel stupid asking all these questions :oops:
Close. 580EX II is mounted on the camera or flash bracket which is what the sync cord is for. Helps keep the flash above the lens preventing any unwanted or unpredicted shadows.

The 430EX is mounted on the bracket and used with the umbrella either bounced or shot through. This is triggered wirelessly by the 580EX II usually shot in manual since ETTL gets confused by the amount of light fired.

I use the 580EX II bounced with a setting of 1/128 - 1/64 for highlights and the 430EX at whatever power I need during use. All is controlled by the 580EX II so its pretty easy to make adjustments.

This is good for quick use but for a more serious shoot, modelling lights might be better. I prefer this setup because if im out and get called to give someone a hand, my gear is always useable on the fly.

No need for me to carry heavy battery packs or worry about any mains terminals. Next shoot will be in the middle of a park so im going to be happy to travel light.

Ideally, I wouldl like to sell the 430EX and pick up another 580EX II for the extra one stop worth of light but just depends on how often I do it. For me, it has been enough power and usage is easy but others may prefer bit more power etc.

[pumbaa]

elysium - thanks! With your help I understand a bit more now. So in an ideal world, 2 x 580EX II would be a good option. Another question if I may - where do you normally position the slave flash/umbrella relative to the subject?

I guess the other alternative is something like this:

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s50474/0/Studio-Kits/Bowens/Esprit-Gemini-200-Studio-In-A-Box-(BW4292UK)/details.aspx?&&SortBy=UndefinedASC&IsInStockOnly=False&comp=n

However, as you point out, this is probably less portable/flexible than your setup.

This is a minefield.......:confused:

[elysium]

Ya that looks good but remember you will need constant power but good thing with modelling lights as mentioned is you will be able to see in real time where the light will be and where the shadows will be.

Two 580EX II would be a good option for me but if you are going to be into portrait/people photography, invest in some higher end gear.