Question for Scott about portraits, flash setup & backgrounds?

[paulhillion]

Scott I was reading one of your replies from a thread a week or so a go where you gave an example of what can be achieved when using 3 550EX's & a backdrop etc......

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/ayana_bailey

All I have to play with at present is the 580 & a 420EX, do you think similar results can be gotten with 2 flashes or will it be my worthwhile buying an extra 420EX? Some of you may be thinking now why doesn't he set it up & try it out instead of asking the question, and I will be doing so in the next week but I thought there's no harm in asking beforehand what the results are likely to be.

I think my question really is 'where should I place the 420 slave for best results'?

Also I'd be interested in hearing what some of you use for a background, do you make your own or have most of you purchased ready made ones?

Hope I've made some sort of sense! Thanks for any advice.

[scottbergerphoto]

Having a single 580EX is a limitation. The on camera flash(580EX) has to be the master and act as your fill light. The single off camera flash (420EX) will be your main light. The 420EX, should light the short side of the face (side of the face away from the camera). Start with the slave at about 45 degrees to the side of the camera on the short side of the face and try out shots with the slave closer(<45 deg.) and farther away(>45 deg.) until you get the effect you like. You won't have a light to light your background. That will be the main difference. In addition, the 420EX by virtue of it's lower power will give you less flexibility in the use of light modifiers such as an umbrella. I would suggest adding a 550EX or a second 550EX.
Good Luck and let us know what happens.
Scott