Single light schema? What to begin with?

[Fastfwd13]

Obviously I am going to try every placement/height and angle I can think of but is there one or a few standard configurations that people use when working with just one light and no reflectors or other accessories?

I have the tripod and umbrella waiting. The 580EX is in the mail right now, got in from ebay.

[jeromego]

just remember this...the nearer (larger) the light source the softer it is. with that said, the farther (smaller) the harsher it is.

[TMR Design]

just remember this...the nearer (larger) the light source the softer it is. with that said, the farther (smaller) the harsher it is.

True but I'm not sure I would agree on the term 'harsh'. That's somewhat subjective. When the light is pulled back it creates an apparently smaller light source and contrast increases with a harder shadow edge and less gradual transfer from highlight to shadow.

[jeromego]

True but I'm not sure I would agree on the term 'harsh'. That's somewhat subjective. When the light is pulled back it creates an apparently smaller light source and contrast increases with a harder shadow edge and less gradual transfer from highlight to shadow.
i totally agree with that...wrong choice of word. :)

[gonzogolf]

I'm guessing you are shooting people? Get a softbox or a shoot through umbrella, because you are going to need a soft light so that the shadowing you get if you go too far off to the side one direction or another.

[gonzogolf]

Here is a single 580ex through a shoot through umbrella, to the left of the camera about 4 feet from the subject. The flash was just at the edge of the frame.

[Fastfwd13]

that's another thing. The umbrella I got as part of the off-camera flash kit can be used both reversed or shoot through by unzipping the 2nd fabric layer.

I definitely want to spend time trying many combinations but would also have liked a single point to start from. Some kind of usual schema that is often used and produces mostly good results.

[Subfightersandman]

shoot through alawys you to get the light closer to the subject thus giving you a softer light, but they also spill a lot of light.

Using it with the cover to bounce will give you a more controlled light.