Help with photoshoot

[walrusgoat]

I have this girl that wants me to take photos of her because she wants to make a calendar. She wants to take a different picture for every month indoor and outdoor and even a photo with her on a old truck or motorcycle. Anyways, I don't have that much experience with lighting.. I have a 40d, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, and a 580ex II. For the outdoor shooting I was thinking of getting a reflector (any recommendations) or possibly buying a cord so I can take the flash off the camera. Anyone have any advice so I can make my pictures look somewhat professional and decent? I'm not being paid for this, but the girl offered to rent lighting equipment if its really necessary.

[René Damkot]

Cheap option would be white styrofoam board. More expensive: Buy a reflector (and a stand to hold it)

Link (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/11/cheap-bouncy-fun.html)

[James P]

For an inexpensive but effective reflector, try a piece of readyboard. It's really just a white piece of cardboard that can be found at art stores. Bring along a friend to hold it.

[walrusgoat]

Are reflectors that expensive? What's a good one to get?

[yogestee]

Are reflectors that expensive? What's a good one to get?

I bought one of these a few weeks back.. In a word,, brilliant..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=120332742567

I used to use a sheet of polystyrene 5' x 4' x 6" in my studio.. Cheap as you can get..

[Hermes]

I bought one of these a few weeks back.. In a word,, brilliant..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=120332742567

I used to use a sheet of polystyrene 5' x 4' x 6" in my studio.. Cheap as you can get..

I have a few collapsible lastolite reflectors for location work

I still use sheet polystyrene in studio - it's better than any reflector for sale. The only reason I don't use it outdoors is that it doesn't fold/collapse and it's not terribly efficient which can be a problem when you're reflecting ambient light instead of the concentrated beam of a studio light.

[sdipirro]

Why aren't women asking me to take calendar photos? Wait, don't answer that! A reflector will help with shadows, but you can probably do even better with the flash. Moving the flash off-camera would give you a lot of flexibility and potentially improve the look of the photos, but you're looking at more than a cord to do that, unless you plan on having an assistant hold the flash. Wireless triggers give you more flexibility as far as distance between you and the flash...at even more cost. Might as well throw in a stand for the flash at that point...and maybe a light modifier like a portable softbox or umbrella.

[walrusgoat]

Thanks for your help guys, I think I'm going to get a reflector, wireless transmitter, and possibly a soft box. I just don't wanna end up spending too much money. Hopefully, I can get a good deal on it.

[blackphnx]

Thanks for your help guys, I think I'm going to get a reflector, wireless transmitter, and possibly a soft box. I just don't wanna end up spending too much money. Hopefully, I can get a good deal on it.

I think we're into same situation. My friend also asked me to shoot and I don't have much experience about lights. Mind if you post the result of your photo shoot and the setup you had.

Thanks.

[goforphoto]

Thanks for your help guys, I think I'm going to get a reflector, wireless transmitter, and possibly a soft box. I just don't wanna end up spending too much money. Hopefully, I can get a good deal on it.

Think of it like this.
If you get the gear and the girls shots come out great then everyone who sees the calendar will ask who shot the images. You may even pick up a portrait job or two then wa-la the gear is paid for.


Also check out some of the DIY lighting tricks by doing a google search