Need a basic set up for head/shoulders shots . . .

[irishman]

. . . A friend has requested my services to do a head and shoulders shot of a client for a local business magazine. In the past, she has had people come to my office which made it easy to use my 430EX w/ off-shoe cord and Light Sphere. Now she needs me to got to a location and my question is what set up to get. My first option would be to get a 580EX to use as a master and fill light near the camera and use my 430 as a key with a softbox. Another option would be toget some Elinchrome Dlight 2's. Suggestions, anyone?

[Lotto]

You could ask to see the older head shots of the company. Are they studio type with multiple lights and backdrop, or enviromental type in and around the office? That gives some ideas on what type and quality shots they are expecting, and choose you gears accordingly.

[sboerup]

The DLight 2's arent much more powerful than a 580EX, maybe 1/2 stop IMO. If you disagree, then you can, I'm just basing that on my many tests between: quantum, 580ex, profoto, elinchrom, etc. I would rate a 580EX at 150ws MAX.

So if you do get the Dlights, get the 4's, it doesn't make much sense to get the 2s. They are great lights, but if you are only looking at power, then they are similar.

I would get some radio triggers for both flashes, and use them in manual. You can get some softboxes to use for your main light, the other as fill or a kicker. But if it's outside, I wouldn't worry about fill.

An example of what you would like to accomplish would be helpful.