Which light modifiers?

[poplogic]

Howdy all: With Uncle Sam's "Valentine's Day" gift coming soon, I'm just about ready to plunk down for a couple of Alien Bees AB800 strobes. I just wanted to get some advice on what light boxes and/or umbrellas would be proper for doing group formals within a fairly large church auditorium. I was thinking about going with 2 of AB's Foldable Large Octaboxes (47") as my choice of modifiers. Anyone agree/disagree? Thanks in advance for the help. :)

[form]

Anything box (softbox, octabox) will have directional light, which is great for small groups and bad for large groups/lighting an entire area.

[poplogic]

Thank you so much for the insight. So then if boxes will only effective light up a small group, what do you suggest would be a proper modifier for the strobes?

[tim]

Try googling for this type of information, or searching here. I would help but it's not something i've done so i'd not like to offer advice.

However if it's a white ceiling you could bounce light from two strobes off it, with a tiny bit of on camera fill, and shoot from above them a bit so you don't get the white ceiling in the frame.

[phsv]

If boxes are good for lighting a small group, what do you recommend for lighting large groups? Maybe 2 umbrellas?

[tim]

The point of my recommending the ceiling bounce is it's a huge area, and it's approximately equidistant to each person in the group photo. For large groups you have to be careful of the people in back being dark and shadows on them. Lighting from above is effective if you can work out the light positioning.

[phsv]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[poplogic]

Well, I scouted the location yesterday and found out that the ceiling is completely black. Needless to say, I'm now kinda freaking out. Anyone have a Plan B?

[tim]

Two big soft boxes, or if you're in a hurry (likely at a wedding) two 42-60" white umbrellas - shoot through is ok, bounce is probably more efficient. Doesn't make much difference. One goes directly above the photographer (so that everyone's evenly lit), and one goes 45 degrees to one side 2-3 stops below, as an accent light that won't cast shadows. Or use it as a hair light. At least that's what i'd try.

[poplogic]

Thanks so much for the help! I really appreciate it, tim. :D

[harroz]

Yes I'd go reflective umbrellas for sure, you cant spend time getting boxes right for a wedding group, if the group is large I'd probably go for an even spread, especially if you're new to them. like placing the lights at 1/3 and 2/3 of the width of the group, so one each side of the photographer, otherwise you'll get light loss at the edges, especially the edge where there isn't the accent.