Lighting Help/Setup/Ideas - Come in and share!

[RiKaN HaVoK]

So here's my dilemma ..

I just recently got my entire setup and I'm finding myself going to places where I can actually set up and take my time without people disturbing what I'm doing ..

However - I'm somewhat bored and want to actually take pictures on the streets with my models, but I don't know what I need to do so ..

I have:

2 AB800
1 430ex II
1 Giant Foldable Softbox and 1 Large Octabox
1 Boom Arm
Umbrellas - Triggers - Gels - Etc

I was wondering what you guys do when you are out in public or somewhat crowded streets? What's the set up or how you go about setting your lighting up.

As you can see All the stuff I have for the most part is pretty big and I don't see how can I achieve this ..

Anyways, if you guys can help and post some pictures of what you have done on the streets or even the set up itself - it's much appreciated ..

I really starting to hate just going to parks to set up and shoot

[Wilt]

They are called 'assistants', for when you want to use anything larger than one square foot!

Anything larger is called a 'sail' on a boat, and would be unmanageable quickly with any breeze, even slight!

[RiKaN HaVoK]

I'm glad you are able to help, however I have no idea to what you are saying ..

I guess an assitance will be able to help? lost ...

Sorry Im kind of dumb .. you also tend to confuse the crap out of me when you talk about light meters .. lol

[TMR Design]

They are called 'assistants', for when you want to use anything larger than one square foot!

Anything larger is called a 'sail' on a boat, and would be unmanageable quickly with any breeze, even slight!

Hi Wilt,

More like parasails...lololol
With a large umbrella and a nice breeze I believe myself and the model could sail clear to China. :D

[RiKaN HaVoK]

lol .. I guess I get the inside joke now . but yeah .. so you will need an assistance to carry your stand with the AB and softbox while you shoot or that's just to damn big .. lol

I would love for people to pose their street set up and stuff ... I guess I need to invest in a softbox that goes around the 430EX and have someone help me with that ..

[Wilt]

A softbox that works with the 430EX is likely to be somewhat small, and mounted to the flash which is mounted to your camera, the photographer is under direct control even in a breeze. But if you put the flash remotely on a light stand, then the softbox can become like a sail, and you need an assistant to hold the stand or you resort to very heavy sandbags to try to hold down the stand, to prevent the legs from lifting.

[RiKaN HaVoK]

I guess i didn't phrase the question correctly .,..

I guess the point of the thread is to ask for help, meaning if my equipment to damn big to try and be mobile on the streets while taking picture or is it fine? Or am I just stuck in a stationary place with no high traffic of people to use what I have .. further more I asked if its to big what you guys recommend - at least you said assistance ..

Lastly I asked if you guys can give any ideas, post pictures and even set ups if you have them ...

[René Damkot]

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/03/nick-turpin-back-on-street.html

[RiKaN HaVoK]

Thanks Rene ...

Im looking at the link right now but my internet its extremly slow .. However I think this will help a whole lot!

Once again thanks!

[Lithian]

The biggest problem with on street stuff is that you can't really put up light stands and tripods and have cables running about.

The nick turpin video shows a good way to go about it by using assistants to deal with positioning and holding. This stops things blowing over, tripping people and kit getting stolen. In lieu of propper assistants i try and recruit friends to hold/carry stuff, pay them in pizza and beer.

What equipment you want to take really depends on how busy the location is likely to be. Just scout the location at the same time on a different day and remember that everything you take should fit in the hands of you and your assistants. If you have enough assistants the AB gear is do-able but i'd probably still use hot shoe units and reflectors so no-body is lugging too much around and its all fun.

[RiKaN HaVoK]

Thanks Lithian ..

I guess a bare 430ex with a reflector in the other side would be perfect for something nice and simple huh ....

i seen the video good stuff!

[jeromego]

did you just get the softbox and the octabox? that octabox is like a size of a mini satellite dish or an outdoor patio umbrella. you'll have a hard time with that in the street without an assistant.

EDIT: remember what happened to the umbrella when we were at the park? lol! what more with the softbox...

[RiKaN HaVoK]

yeah I just did get it .. I still haven't even broken it out .. thats why I started this thread, because unless we find a place like the one we did I don't forsee me using my lights in the street .. picture me in downtown DC or TS with a freaking Vagabond a lightstand with AB and a softbox .. lol .. trying to take pictures .. LoL .. damn near impossible I say .. thats why I'm asking for suggestions, ideas and personal experiences!

along with gear of course!