Christmas Portrait Advice

[mattograph]

Tomorrow morning, I am shooting a family of 5 with their christmas tree. Trying to visualize a good setup. Looking for thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks!

[andyc100]

good starting pose, kids, if any, in front sitting kneeling, parents at back to one side of tree, others on this theme could be kids looking at parents, parents at kids, take along a few xmas wrapped boxes for the kids to hold, make to open or hand to each other etc etc.

Also not sure on your set up, ie studio lights or speedlites but you could also flash for family and allow a little ambient for the tree, particularly if there are any twinkly lights ornaments etc.

Close up ish of kids decorating tree with big smiles all around and big group hugs in front of it.

Just a few thoughts of mine, I think generating a good xmas atmosphere will really set it off, ask them if they have christmassy jumpers etc just to add to the mood.

hope this helps

Andy

PS oops sorry too late, just noticed the date of your post was three days ago and you were shooting the following day, hope it went well for you

[heathermarie]

Whats the best way to use off camera lighting but still get the best ambient light off the tree?

[mattograph]

I think it calls or a great deal of chimping. Although I haven't shot one yet, I figured that shooting kids in front of a tree was going to require some flags. I have thought about trying it with a shot through umbrella, leaving half of the cover on to gobo the light off the tree.

[mattograph]

For those who looked before, here's what I got. My original plan of using an umbrella got squashed when some of the adults concurred that "was too much trouble".

So, went with an on camera flash and used a 5" honl snoot as a bounce card:

http://mattograph.smugmug.com/photos/436304485_rhdo2-L.jpg

[bobbyz]

Where is the tree or it is festivus with that pole. j/k.

Not bad but I think it would have been better with that umbrella.

[mattograph]

I agree. The pose works well. They nixed the tree, too.

People........ go figure.

[SuzyView]

Great shot! I love the pose.

[egordon99]

And now, the "Feats of Strength" (oops, missed the airing of grievances....)

Nice shot!

[mattograph]

Great shot! I love the pose.

Thanks Suzy!

And now, the "Feats of Strength" (oops, missed the airing of grievances....)

Nice shot!

Oh, greviences were aired. believe me.

[PixelMagic]

I'm curious about the shot you posted. With bounced flash I would expect the shadows cast by the lamp to fall more out of the frame. Also, the little boy's turtleneck appears blown out on the right shoulder (at least on my monitor) and there are several hot spots on the faces in the front row. I'm also curious about the light fall off.

Was this actually bounced flash or direct flash? How high and what color was the ceiling?

[mattograph]

Picture is a little hotter here than in the prints, but you are right about the blown areas.

The flash head was tilted 45 degrees upward, but the ceilings are vaulted. The majority of light came from the 5" Honl snoot, which I had opened up an mounted as a bounce card. Example here:

http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-10/strobist-speedlight-strobe-flash/Detail

[PixelMagic]

Thanks for explaining your setup. I'm wondering if the link to the Honl snoot is for display purposes or how they recommend it be attached to the flash. I use Joe Demb light modifiers and he specifically recommends that they be attached to the narrow side of the flash. http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/positions/



Picture is a little hotter here than in the prints, but you are right about the blown areas.

The flash head was tilted 45 degrees upward, but the ceilings are vaulted. The majority of light came from the 5" Honl snoot, which I had opened up an mounted as a bounce card. Example here:

http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-10/strobist-speedlight-strobe-flash/Detail

[mattograph]

Thanks for explaining your setup. I'm wondering if the link to the Honl snoot is for display purposes or how they recommend it be attached to the flash. I use Joe Demb light modifiers and he specifically recommends that they be attached to the narrow side of the flash. http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/positions/

Not sure. Its not really what they recommend the snoot for, although it makes for a great 2 for 1 value.

[PixelMagic]

Yeah I did notice that the product description of the snoot said it was grey so I wondered how reflective it really is; especially given its intended purpose.

[mattograph]

It definitely is eating some light, so you have to goose the flash. Probably an extra stop or two.