Strobes for Wedding

[jeromego]

to all those who shoot weddings using monolights/strobes, do you guys use a diffuser/modifier when you set them up at the reception/church or is it just bare?

[tim]

I doubt you'll find many photographers here who use strobes at the church, and not many more who use studio strobes at the reception. At the church i'm 100% ambient, unless ISO3200 F2.8 1/50th won't get me an image, which almost never happens. At the reception I use radio triggered speedlites (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=646469&highlight=how+receptions).

[jeromego]

Thanks Tim, I see from that picture that you use them bare. I do have some speedlites but don't have the CPE4 batt packs. Right now, i use strobe/strobe monolight at receptions bare. That's why i'm asking if some wedding photographers also use theirs bare or with a modifier.

[tim]

I usually bounce the light off the ceiling, so a modified wouldn't help. If you're shooting direct you'd need a huge diffuser to make any significant difference, because of the distances involved.

[breal101]

I don't do a lot of weddings, I did one recently where the bride had family in from all parts of the planet so the group shots were very important to her. I used a 500 w/s power pack with two 60" Softlighter IIs for the groups at the reception. It worked out fine, f8 at ISO 100. She was very pleased and I had the security of knowing I had even light and not a lot of PP to do on them.

[Matt30D]

Radio Triggers are the only way...its so easy!

[Peacefield]

I use two 580's in a main/fill set up via Canon's master/slave settings. Then I use an old Sunpak 544 with an optical trigger behind the group of necessary to bring up the background. I can get plenty of light to shoot a group 2-3 rows deep.

[jeromego]

I use two 580's in a main/fill set up via Canon's master/slave settings. Then I use an old Sunpak 544 with an optical trigger behind the group of necessary to bring up the background. I can get plenty of light to shoot a group 2-3 rows deep.
so you use IR to trigger these 2 flashes in wedding receptions? don't you get a lot of misfires with this setup in a big reception ballroom?

I'm using ABs and cybersyncs for weddings. i was just wondering if anyone uses them with certain modifiers or just bare.

[Peacefield]

so you use IR to trigger these 2 flashes in wedding receptions? don't you get a lot of misfires with this setup in a big reception ballroom?

I'm using ABs and cybersyncs for weddings. i was just wondering if anyone uses them with certain modifiers or just bare.

The slave will mis-fire maybe 1% of the time. It's all about keeping their limitations in mind. My assistant does a good job of keeping the IR sensor facing the main flash on camera and I don't have him too far away.

If I'm doing something more dramatic or distant, I use one of two alternate approaches. One involves a very long (I think 45'?) ettl cable.

For the other, when I want a flash opposite the couple to rimlight them during the first dance, IR won't work, so my assistant holds a 30 year old Sunpak 544 that I'm still fond of and that is fired via cybersyncs.

[Limitless]

Would a Sigma-EF-530 http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-EF-530-Super-Electronic-Flash/dp/B000UHIMG2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252959803&sr=1-9 be just as good as a 550 or a 580? I already own a 580, would a transmitter communicate with both? or would I need sigma branded?

[jeromego]

Would a Sigma-EF-530 http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-EF-530-Super-Electronic-Flash/dp/B000UHIMG2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252959803&sr=1-9 be just as good as a 550 or a 580? I already own a 580, would a transmitter communicate with both? or would I need sigma branded?
not sure if Sigma flashes have a slave/master setting feature. I think Canon can only communicate with other Canon flashes. but you can always use a wireless radio flash trigger.

[Limitless]

Oic yeah ill look into that. And having 2 Speedlites I assume 1 is mounted on the camera and 1 on a tripod? sorry if Im throwing out such noobish questions. Would it also be good to have them independently mounted using the transmitter?

[jeromego]

Oic yeah ill look into that. And having 2 Speedlites I assume 1 is mounted on the camera and 1 on a tripod? sorry if Im throwing out such noobish questions. Would it also be good to have them independently mounted using the transmitter?
you can use them either way. For weddings, i use a a flash mounted on my camera's hotshoe and a cybersync transmitter plug on my 5D's pc port to trigger the off cam flash.

[Limitless]

But having another canon speedlite say a 430ex I wont need another transmitter right because the master mounted on the camera will communicate to the slave? Is there a tutorial on here lol Im trying to reduce my spending but also get stuff that works.

[jeromego]

But having another canon speedlite say a 430ex I wont need another transmitter right because the master mounted on the camera will communicate to the slave? Is there a tutorial on here lol Im trying to reduce my spending but also get stuff that works.
Yes, you can use the master/slave of your 580 to trigger the 430. BUT this has some limitations...one of them is that you need to a have a clear line of sight to your 430 to avoid misfires. This setup uses IR in triggering the slave flashes. you will also have a hard time using this setup in bright outdoor situations.

[Limitless]

Things to think about, Im getting paid for an in oct I dont want any OMG!?! situations. so for me planning is critical for me haha ill probably be building up my forum post count between now and then.

[tim]

Wireless ETTL isn't reliable outside, or over longer distances inside. Radio slaves are a better option.

Off camera flash might be a bit much for your first wedding, you'll have better things to worry about.

[jeromego]

Things to think about, Im getting paid for an in oct I dont want any OMG!?! situations. so for me planning is critical for me haha ill probably be building up my forum post count between now and then.
is this a wedding gig?
i suggest you read Tim's Wedding faq. but for a paid wedding gig a month or less from today...good luck, you still have a lot of stuff to learn.

[Limitless]

Thanks guys, I have alot of time on my hands from now til then so Ill be on Here alot, and out getting comfortable with changing my dials on the fly. Also just as a helper im going to the Photoshop world on the first next month so Ill be immersed in that for a good 4 days.

Im taking this very seriously, that and Its not that stressful since its a friend of the family, Im just getting paid for it. And Ill have a second shooter for the event.

Im considering taking Photo journalism classes at my local community college since all my training is from day seminars and hobby classes. But dont want to take over the thread thanks this was a helpful thread.