What lighting is good for wedding formals?

[snyper77]

I currently have a 580EXII and a 580EX classic. What advice do you have on shooting group shots inside small churches with bad lighting? Thus far, I've just been slowing my shutter down to about 1/30 (for some ambient light) and bouncing my 580EXII, but the results are flat.

My competition around town, he uses a few softboxes and he's getting more consistent results and colors. I'm just not sure if I have the time (and know how) to use that extra gear (and I don't even own that stuff).

I was thinking about buying an Alien Bee kit, but I'm lost at this point. What do you all use for indoor group photos? Have some samples to show? Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

[aram535]

Nothing wrong with speedlights. Check out strobist.com for a million possible ways of using what you have. Softboxes are nice but not necessary to get an excellent image.

[Peacefield]

I have a few Genesis lights that I will bring if I know I need to consistently light up large dark spaces, but mostly, it's all speedlights. Bouncing, if the surface is good, should do the trick for you. Also, experiment with off-camera. When I'm working with an assistant, I will have him hold a 580 with an umbrella attachment and a 22" shoot through. Real nice look, but the portability of an assistant is what makes this work for me.

[Wilt]

One off-camera flash as Main, one on-camera (or close) flash as Fill

same as for portraiture

[snyper77]

This is good info, but I can't "picture" it in my head. Can someone explain how exactly the setup would take place with "one off camera as main"? I don't know anything about remote triggering devices or stands or umbrellas, etc. I don't know exact what accessories I need to make this happen. Please "break this down" for me. Thanks.

[Wilt]

Since YOUR equipment is not necessarily like using other people's equipment, the answer is 'It depends on your equipment'. There are many articles, including Strobist, on the use of speedlights for Main+Fill. Way too much to rehash in this thread.

[Familiaphoto]

Read this...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=385912

and practice, practice, practice.

[cdifoto]

My competition around town, he uses a few softboxes and he's getting more consistent results and colors. I'm just not sure if I have the time (and know how) to use that extra gear (and I don't even own that stuff).
He probably has an assistant too, and charges accordingly. I use umbrellas and Vivitar 283s since it's faster as a one-man freakshow.