Advice for a shoot in the park..pretty please

[PaulTopol]

Hi,
Please help my simple mind.
I just need to check my method and get some advice from you folks.

Been asked to do family pics in a local park. Last time I did this for the family I messed up (in my eyes) because i was new to flash/fill-in photography, still am.

So, this is what i plan to do to get the exposures great:

Equipment will be Canon 1D mk2, 580ex2, 28-135mm and 70-200mm

set ISO 200, set manual shutter and fstop for good exposure for ambient light. Place subjects with backs or sides to sun.

Flash on camera turn on. Leave on ttl. use lumiquest pocketbouncer to give broad beam.

Tack pic!


What will I be doing wrong...hopefully nothing. Please help

Thanks in anticipation

Paul

[ootsk]

Not sure what a lumiquest pocketbouncer, but usually in a park there's nothing to bounce off of. And depending on distances, you might need the regular, unmodified flash. Try to keep shutter speed below 200 as well, so as not to use HSS.

[PaulTopol]

Thanks for the quick reply. Pocket bouncer can reflct broader beam of light.
I'll try your suggestion anyway. Only way to learn.
Thanks
paul

Not sure what a lumiquest pocketbouncer, but usually in a park there's nothing to bounce off of. And depending on distances, you might need the regular, unmodified flash. Try to keep shutter speed below 200 as well, so as not to use HSS.[/QUOTE]

[StanNJ1]

Hello Paul,
Your scenario has a lot of variables so it's a little difficult to give you specific advise. But generally speaking here are a few things to consider.

Location
Pick a spot preferably in the shade. Keep the background clean. Objects in the background will be distracting. Trees and poles coming out of your subjects heads can also ruin a photo.

Aperture
You didn't mention how many folks will be in these shots but I'll assume it's a family. When shooting groups you should try to keep your aperture somewhere between 5.6 and 8. This will give you adequate depth of field and will prevent one person from being sharp and another out of focus.

Shutter speed
With your camera set on manual dial in the aperture you want while aiming towards your background (without subjects). Take note of what your cameras meter tells you the shutter speed should be. Instead of using this setting you should increase the shutter speed by one or two stops to underexpose the background. If the shutter speed exceeds your max sync speed then turn on the High Speed Sync function on your flash (HSS).

ISO
You mentioned that you will be using ISO 200 but how do you know this already? Keep your ISO at the lowest setting. Raise it only if there isn't enough light to give you the exposure that you want.

Flash
Shoot in ETTL. If you are using your flash unit as fill light on a group it's not that critical to use a modifier. When you start using off camera flash you will want to explore modifiers at that time. Don't be afraid to use HSS. Once you try it you'll love it.

I hope this helps. Please post some photos so we can see how you did.\
Stan

[dmward]

+1 for Stan's suggestions.
The difference between the size of the 580 aimed at them and the Lumiquest thingie is irrelivent for a group.

Just aim the flash at them with sun behind or in the shade and keep F stop as open as possible, considering depth of focus for a group that is two or three rows deep.

HSS can be you friend. I have used it to pop people out of the background without a problem even are relatiely bright days.

At F11 and 30 feet no flash will work very well, but relatively close it work wonders.

David
BTW, that modifier probably is costing a stop or more of light efficency with no real benefit.

[PaulTopol]

Stan and David,
Just the advice i think am looking for.
Thanks a ton!!!!

[StanNJ1]

Paul have you watched my video? I cover some things that may help you with your upcoming shoot.

http://www.stansphotos.com/My%20Videos/Lighting_Tutorial.wmv

[PaulTopol]

Thankyou. Downloaded and watched. Only have 2 of 580ex. So you leave the flashes to work it out themselves or do you change them to manual?