How to achieve this?

[Galaxy99]

The group shooting is not always easy for me. There are times I do even have many ideas on how to evenly light each individuals...It is a huge challenge. I came cross a friend of mine's photo (credit to its photographer) and really like the lighting/background on it. Since the photo was taken a while back, my friend can not remember what the studio setting looked like anymore. Let's say now I like to create a similar lighting effect like this one, how do I do that? On this picture, how many lights were there? where are they positioned? Any special gears needed? I am sure, there are many photographers will be able to achieve something like that. Please feel free to share your experience if possible.

BTW, happy new years to FOTN and all members. I wish you all a fantastic 2009!

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v331/4/97/292200735/n292200735_181177_5248.jpg

[sdipirro]

A larger picture would help to see catch lights in the eyes of the women and also how shadows fall across their faces. However, I'll venture a guess since no one else has. I think the main light is above and slightly to the right of the camera, aimed down. I think there are fill lights on both sides of this group, maybe at 45 degrees. The one on camera left seems slightly hotter than camera right, but it's hard to tell. There might also be a 4th light on a boom above the women and aimed towards the background. So I'd say this is a 3-4 light setup but nothing really amazing.

[Galaxy99]

The light above probably makes the group shot look better... How about the background? what kind of big bg is that?