Combining 3 flashes for studio photography

[zeeman]

Hi all,

I just got a new strobe flash and would like to know what is the best set-up for portraits.

What I want is to have the portraits against a pure white background.

This is what I currently have:

1) Canon Speedlite 580EXII
2) Canon Speedlite 430EX
3) Falcon Eyes AC Studio Strobe SS 150B (guide number 32/m)
4) 40" square Softbox
5) 62" white/silver reflector
6) 40" Reflective umbrella
7) White vinyl to be used as background

So, I know I have to experiment a lot to get the desired results, but there's something I would like to make sure:

As far as I understand, I can get a white background using a powerful flash to illuminate it. So my idea was to use the Falcon Eyes Strobe flash at its maximum power only for the background. Then I will use my 580EX II camera mounted as fill flash and also to trigger the 430EX as my main light located at a side of the model.

Is that correct?

I have the softbox, reflector and umbrella but I'm not sure how to use them. The softbox is to be mounted on the Studio Strobe but since I will use it to lit the background what other use it may have?

I will appreciate all suggestions about this.

Thanks !

[zeeman]

Just something to add to my previous post: Here are 2 basic diagrams of possible combinations.

Option one:

http://zeeman.smugmug.com/photos/381258096_hRbmy-L.jpg


Option two:



http://zeeman.smugmug.com/photos/381258050_5jUck-L.jpg

Does it makes any sense ? Any ideas?

[Titus213]

I would try putting the strobe camera right, way over camera right, a reflector camera left and use your EX flashes to raise the background exposure to 1-2 stops over your subject.

You don't mention how you will trip them all. And I'm not sure you will be happy with vinyl as a background material - it's generally quite shiny.

[speedhop]

I don't see a difference between one and two...but I may be missing something obvious!

Like you said, a lot of experimenting will do the trick. If I were you I'd use your 580 as rim lighting on the subject and use the reflector for any and all fill.

Otherwise just get creative and try new things to see what results you get.

[caesar2164]

Edit: now it looks right...

[staffer]

If you want an even "photo" white background, you're best served with two lights on the background. Photo white is around 2 1/3 stops over middle gray. If you casually blast the background at full power you run the risk of getting spill on either side of your model. The back lights should be blocked anyway to limit/avoid spill. Some photographers use the spill as an effect but it is a controlled effect.
Your on-camera fill is a smaller source than your main which is backward unless you are bouncing it off the ceiling. You don't want secondary shadows.
Make sure your model is at least 3' from the background (creative needs aside).
If you can afford it, get a flash meter.

With your gear, I'd have to echo Titus213; two lights on the background (blocked for spill), Main light in the softbox/umbrella and get a reflector for fill. Don't forget the flash meter, you'll learn ratios quickly with it.

[zeeman]

Many thanks for all the answers and help !!!

Yes, I made a mistake and uploaded the same diagram two times, but I just fixed it.

Dave and Staffer, I agree, I should use both speedlites for the background, the only problem I will face is that I was using the on-camera 580EX to trigger the 430EX. Will see a way around it. I just printed all the replies and will have them with me when experimenting.

Dave, the vinyl I am using is rather mate, not shiny at all, its working pretty well in some previous tests and photos I've done, its doing its job.

Here's just an example taken at home using the vinyl and just 2 speedlites (I didn't have the Falcon strobe back then). I can make the background white with Photoshop, but I prefer to have the white background at once to avoid working that in PS.

http://zeeman.smugmug.com/photos/295794884_86JDx-L.jpg

Thanks a lot for the help !

[Lotto]

When you add the AC strobe to the Canon master/slave setup, you are going to run in with the slave flash not firing. The strobe with optical sensor will fire at the same time as the master's command flash, that would confuse the the Canon slaves.

One way to work around this is to use the 430 on camera as the trigger and fill light, use a optical slave sensor for the 580 II, and AC strobe on its own slave sensor.

[zeeman]

When you add the AC strobe to the Canon master/slave setup, you are going to run in with the slave flash not firing. The strobe with optical sensor will fire at the same time as the master's command flash, that would confuse the the Canon slaves.

One way to work around this is to use the 430 on camera as the trigger and fill light, use a optical slave sensor for the 580 II, and AC strobe on its own slave sensor.

Thanks for the warning ! I will see what I can do about it. It would be great to use the 430EX to trigger the 580EX II, that way I would not be limited by the 430EX power. It would be great if the 580EX had some kind of built-in optical sensor just like the AC Strobe does.

[Titus213]

If it is the 580EX II you may be able to fire it with an add-on optical trigger. I've not read whether the II version has retained Canon's inability to be triggered with an optical trigger.

[zeeman]

Dave, thanks for the help.

I was just testing the system and the 3 flashes fire perfectly. I use the 580EX II as master in-camera to trigger the slave 430EX. The Falcon strobe didn't have any problem at all so it seems the system works fine. The only thing is that I have to manually set the output power for the Falcon but that's not a big problem, actually I like to use manual all the time, it makes me understand what I am really doing and I won't blame the camera if something gets wrong.

I really appreciate all the help ! Thanks a lot.

[canon shooter]

Many thanks for all the answers and help !!!

Yes, I made a mistake and uploaded the same diagram two times, but I just fixed it.

Dave and Staffer, I agree, I should use both speedlites for the background, the only problem I will face is that I was using the on-camera 580EX to trigger the 430EX. Will see a way around it. I just printed all the replies and will have them with me when experimenting.

Dave, the vinyl I am using is rather mate, not shiny at all, its working pretty well in some previous tests and photos I've done, its doing its job.

Here's just an example taken at home using the vinyl and just 2 speedlites (I didn't have the Falcon strobe back then). I can make the background white with Photoshop, but I prefer to have the white background at once to avoid working that in PS.

http://zeeman.smugmug.com/photos/295794884_86JDx-L.jpg

Thanks a lot for the help !What type of background is this. Paper, muslin, etc. I am researching which type to buy.
Thanks

[zeeman]

Jim, the background is vinyl, just make sure it is not shiny.

I simply went to a big hardware store (some like Home Depot) and got these vinyl that it is used for the floor. On one side it is marble like and in the other side it is just pale white. That is the side I used for this photo. It is not very expensive but since it is thick it is heavy, so make sure you build a good and resistant structure to hold it.

Good luck

[zeeman]

What add-on optical trigger would you recommend me for the Canon 580EX II flash ?

[gonzogolf]

http://flashzebra.com/products/0118/index.shtml


Lon from Flashzebra carries two different optical triggers that work with ex flashes, most wont. This the link to the one with the pc outlet, the other has a mini plug.

[caesar2164]

you could also get some wireless triggers so you can have all three lights arbitrarily placed around the room...

like these for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Blazzeo-4-Channel-Hot-Shoe-Trigger-V2s-3-Receiver-T4M_W0QQitemZ260445771935QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3ca3c7189f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1234|293%3A1| 294%3A50

i have the dongle versions and they work great!
(of course they're cheap but the do their job...)