Basketball Team Shots in Gym with Speedlites OK?

[Eoseni]

I'm new to the sports scene, and gym lighting.

I've taken on a task that will offer a new challenge: Photos of Basketball teams (teenage girls teams) in typical gym lighting, with a backdrop that's provided by the advertiser - which i am told, is gonna be close to the team, about say, 3-4 feet behind them.

I am wondering if one 60" white umbrella bouncing light from a 580EX will be enough to cover approx 10 players in two rows. I am hoping to shoot at maximum iso 400, 1/60, f5.6 maybe(?) on Manual Flash using PWs.

I am using my 30D, on tripod, 17-55 IS lens. Dunno what focal length yet to use. Recommendations, advice, precautions appreciated!

Or do I need more flash power? and another 60" umbrella? Should I get a silver 60" and mix the white and silver light? Thank you guys for any titbit you can throw here. Really.

[dmwierz]

Tim:

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

The best place for all kinds of info on using Speedlights.

Here's an article on using 2 Speedlights - one's gonna be tough, but it is doable:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/05/on-assignment-two-speedlight-group-shot.html

You might also try the lighting forum on POTN, as your question has less to do with sports than it does with group lighting.

[jdouglas003]

I always use a 60" umbrella and one Alien Bee 800.

I tried it with an flash but I had problems with the ambient gym lighting. I did not try the flash in an umbrella though. I just had it on camera using a bracket.

With the AB 800 I can easily overcome the ambient and I don't have to deal with the mix of lighting.

[Eoseni]

Thank you for the replies, dmw and jd! Very helpful.

DM, I went to the strobist tutorial and now feel I can do it even with one flash, although I'd likely use two or even three (third for Background)

JD, were you firing your speedlite at Full power direct? If so, my bouncing into umbrella may be just a bit too weak...but I think it should be ok given the small group of 10 people lined up closely...it's not like they're spread out.

Thank you both!