HELP!!! First paying gig......

[roanjohn]

I was asked by a dancing school to take some photographs of the kids in thier costume. It'll be a studio setting whith either a white/black background. I decided to do the shoot next to a window so I can use natural light to illuminate my subjects...........I will also buy a collapsable reflector (white/silver) to bounce the lights back to the subject...

Can you guys give me any recommendations?? Am I on the right track here??

I also wonder if I should bring my 420 EX to bounce some light from the ceiling......

At this point, I am a little lost............I haven't used a reflector before and I am clueless about lighting etc........Also, am I better off investing in an umbrella??

Thanks!!!

Ro1

[Andy_T]

Can't help you with the questions, but wish you all the best!

Way to go :D

Best regards,
Andy

[roanjohn]

..........Thanks Andy!! :-)

I'll probably ask the B&H sales people today.


Ro1

[Pekka]

I would not mix small flash with sideways window illumination, because that will get you easily to uneven WB problems which are hard to fix in PS. A reflector needs quite a lot of light to be useable, so perhaps if light is not very stong I would try to place people so that they face the window light slightly sideways (to avoid flat look) and perhaps diffuse windows with almost transparent white curtains or so. If the natural light is even and you can make the flash light cover the whole person then flash is ok.

There are several different ways to approach the situation, multiple flashes, available light, going out alltogether (place background on building wall) whatever makes it work.

[cactusclay]

A white bed sheet over the window and move the reflector around till you like the look. You could also use custom wb and mix the light with flash, although I never do when I use fill flash out doors, sort of seems like the same thing, as long as there are no over head lights.

[Carzee]

1. Working backwards, what do they want? Is it snaps for their yearbook/studio newsletter or is it proud parents looking for a 8x10 portrait of Matilda & Johnny in a frame in the living room?

2. Zero in on the most natural 'models', the ones who are relaxed and 'into it', spend extra time with them and you may end up with a portrait comp winner! Hey, its got to be easier with the naturals to make good pix, show them around, and attract extra jobs...

3. Is the studio the same place they do their performance? ie is it a proper dance club with colored spotlights, disco lighting... or is like a ballet studio with a long mirror on one wall? Does it have a 'dance club' entrance with plenty of atmosphere, lounges, etc, like old fashioned theatre foyers? Old hotels?

4. Presuming they will be wearing their costumes, do they want 'in action' couple shots like your other shoots or just posed 'holds' with careful lighting?


Costume detail shots can be good to do as well. I am thinking of stuff like this from a wedding, but with dresses and dancing shoes...
http://ericcotter.com/potn/_MG_7562.jpg

[roanjohn]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!!! I will see the place this weekend.........I guess I'll scope out what I have to go against in terms of setting up a mock-up studio and etc...The kids I'll be taking pictures of are going to be in thier dance costumes in front of a blank canvas.......I really just want them to do a pose and snap (there will be about 100 of them) YIKES!!! Maybe I'll do two by twos and solos.......we'll see how it goes.

Carzee - beautiful shot!!!

Ro1

[roanjohn]

I would not mix small flash with sideways window illumination, because that will get you easily to uneven WB problems which are hard to fix in PS. A reflector needs quite a lot of light to be useable, so perhaps if light is not very stong I would try to place people so that they face the window light slightly sideways (to avoid flat look) and perhaps diffuse windows with almost transparent white curtains or so. If the natural light is even and you can make the flash light cover the whole person then flash is ok.

There are several different ways to approach the situation, multiple flashes, available light, going out alltogether (place background on building wall) whatever makes it work.

Thanks Pekka.......I am praying for an overcast day so we can use the natural light mother nature can offer.........I am hoping we can do a shoot outdoors...........then I'll really buy some reflectors and make good use of them.

Ro1

[Andy_T]

First paying gig and he gets a 85/1.2 L for it

What are they paying you :lol: ?

Best regards,
Andy

[roanjohn]

First paying gig and he gets a 85/1.2 L for it

What are they paying you :lol: ?

Best regards,
Andy

;) ..........secret............:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ro1

[cmM]

yea, combining daylight and flash does throw off your WB (420ex is much colder than 5600k)
As already mentioned, use daylight and move your reflector (with the silver side prefferably because it reflects more light) closer/further until you get what you want.... and use your 85 1.2 ;)

[roanjohn]

yea, combining daylight and flash does throw off your WB (420ex is much colder than 5600k)
As already mentioned, use daylight and move your reflector (with the silver side prefferably because it reflects more light) closer/further until you get what you want.... and use your 85 1.2 ;)

Thanks for the tip!! I will definitely experiment.

Ro1

[PhotosGuy]

yea, combining daylight and flash does throw off your WB Use it to your advantage. Gell the flash, or gell the window & you've got a colored accent light.

[roanjohn]

Use it to your advantage. Gell the flash, or gell the window & you've got a colored accent light.

???Gel???? I don't think I follow...........:confused:

Ro1

[PhotosGuy]

Sorry. A gell is like a clear colored candy wrapper. Cellophane, like what shops wrap gift baskets in? They're used in theatrical productions & that's the cheapest place to get big sheets of them. Sometimes referred to as "Roscolux Color Filters"
Some are heavy duty for use on hot lights. Some are very light & good to use on a strobe or window, & a candy wrapper would be OK, too.
Some are made for cameras & those cost a lot relativly, considering that they're usually only 3" square, but they're optically perfect & you don't need those.
http://www.productionadvantageonline.com/color.htm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=1329

[roanjohn]

COOL!!! Thanks!!! I'll check it out.

Ro1

[Carzee]

RJ do you use a Stofen on that 420EX? You have that reflector, ok, but the overall softness of those Stofen covers makes for nicely toned portraits.

A lot -most- of the shots will be portrait orientated, not landscape oriented - got a grip for the XT? And got a quick release head on your tripod? Wish I could come over and play the assistant...

[roanjohn]

RJ do you use a Stofen on that 420EX? You have that reflector, ok, but the overall softness of those Stofen covers makes for nicely toned portraits.

A lot -most- of the shots will be portrait orientated, not landscape oriented - got a grip for the XT? And got a quick release head on your tripod? Wish I could come over and play the assistant...

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: It would've been great to do this shoot with another photog!!! I actually have a pocket bouncer for my 420........we'll see if I can utilize it. Not sure about using a tripod though.......I probably would be running around with the camera around my neck all day.......

Ro1