Auditorium flash photo problem

[Titus213]

I am using a Rebel 300D. I just recieved my 550EX and already have a project for it. In fact I was still unwrapping the flash when the request came for this shoot. I have to shoot 15-20 different 2-3 person presentation shots in a very large auditorium in rapid succession. I have no diffuser as yet (LSII ordered but will not be here in time). The lighting will be marginal at best without the flash. I've done this before with film and my T70 and Sunpak 555 with a diffuser and it was OK but not great. I would really like to improve on that considerably. The shots will be portrait mode and I would like to either eliminate the shadow cast (tough without a diffuser?) or leave the background (15-20 feet back) black. I have one opportunity for a short practice before the actual shoot. The end product will be 5x7 prints for the recipients. I have read nearly all the sticky flash threads and will finish them tonight. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[tim]

Are the shots of people doing the presentation, or standard "look at the camera and smile" pictures immediately afterwards? I shoot with a naked 550EX (ie no diffuser) quite often, especially when I don't want to lose the power, and it works fine.

[Titus213]

Tim,
Thanks for your response. The shots will be the 'look at the camera and smile' type. I tried straight on with the flash and found the shadows to be quite harsh behind the subjects. I am wondering about the focal point used and the recomposition after focus. Could this cause problems with flash exposure?

[tim]

I've only done those types of shots once, it was on a tripod, with a LightSphere II on top as a diffuser, and it worked really well. If the shadow behind the people is the only problem then like you say, the black background might work well, though you might like to use a hairlight behind them. Otherwise just get the flash away from the lens, and use some kind of a diffuser, even if you need to buy one locally.

[Titus213]

Thanks Tim. I may investigate some sort of hairlight behind them. Perhaps I can use that Sunpak for something after all...

[tim]

Remember the preflash in ETTL, if the sunpak is optically triggered it'll go on the preflash and won't appear in the main exposure. You'll need to use a proper wireless system to trigger it, which I don't know anything about.

[Titus213]

Bloo Dog,
You're psychotic (is that the word I want?:lol:). It is church photography - Baby Sunday. The auditorium is about 30 feet high over the platform. The whole deal comes down during the service and the Pastor is involved so that's when we shoot. I'm hoping that the LSII arrives before the end of the week but I doubt it. Otherwise I think I'll pull out another softener sheet and wrap the head. They have always been satisfied but my time on the forums have shown me they shouldn't be....

Thanks for the suggestions. I can certainly try to get them into a smaller room. I've played with the 550EX in my wife's studio and really like the bounce results. Really want to try that LSII.

If anything good comes from this shoot I'll post some...

[Titus213]

Remember the preflash in ETTL, if the sunpak is optically triggered it'll go on the preflash and won't appear in the main exposure. You'll need to use a proper wireless system to trigger it, which I don't know anything about.

Yes sir, that would be the case. I got the 550EX because I want to eventually use its wireless capability but the budget stretch for that prohibits a 420 at this time. I doubt I could learn how to use that type of system before the weekend anyway...

Thanks for the reminder.

[tim]

I think you mean "psychic". Psychotic means a person with "A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning." Not that I know Bloo Dog, but from his posts that doesn't seem to apply... ;)

[tim]

I didn't try it in a large hall Bloo, I set up in a room downstairs with a low-to-medium high ceiling. I tried with the dome both on and off, and I liked the result more when the dome was on.

[Titus213]

Yes, psychic, that's the word....I knew it was a psy-something or other...no offense intended Bloo Dog.

Thanks for your help.

[Bodog]

This sounds like church photography.
Will we be seeing a story sometime soon??? :D

[Bodog]

This sounds like church photography.
Will we be seeing a story sometime soon? :D

[Titus213]

Bloo Dog - just read your wedding photog story - scary. I'm sure this won't lead to any such thing. I hope. There is no charge for this but I guess the flash could theoretically traumatize someone....Please tell me you don't have a story about church photography.

[robertwgross]

You know, if you think about this, the solution is a flash bracket.

You hang the 550EX flash unit on it, connect to the hot shoe via off-camera shoe cord, and then you can put the shadow where you want it (typically behind the subject, not to the side).

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

WIth a flash bracket and a light colored background you still get a shadow, but usually not so much of one. Example here (http://www.wildphotography.co.nz/gallery/JJ/Highlights/images/JJ404.jpg).

[PhotosGuy]

The auditorium is about 30 feet high over the platform. If you have to shoot there, you might put a couple 30X40" bounce cards at the sides.

[Titus213]

Thanks all! I'll give it a test run tonight to see what works.

[d'homme]

I regularly do church photography. Just put the flash on and shoot it naked. It will come out fine. The big worry in church photography is keep unwanted people out the photo. If the auditorium as a nice wall you can place the people against, thats even better.

[Titus213]

Tonight I went to the heart of my problem - and talked to the lighting crew. Turns out they can give me enough light on the platform to negate the need for any flash. I have to crank the ISO up to 400 but this should be well within acceptable range. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll mount the flash for the shoot anyway - just in case. Shadows behind the subject are preferrable to no subject visible...

[tim]

I'd suggest using fill flash, perhaps at FEC-1, to fill in harsh shadows. Try it before you do the real shoot though.

[PhotosGuy]

I'll mount the flash for the shoot anyway - just in case

I'd suggest using fill flash, perhaps at FEC-1, to fill in harsh shadows.
That should eliminate a lot of "WAIT, the flash didn't go of!" comments ;-)

[Titus213]

That should eliminate a lot of "WAIT, the flash didn't go of!" comments ;-)

Ah yes, good points. I actually had this very problem last night doing some test shots.

[Titus213]

OK, when solutions come they come in bunches. I had ordered an LSII Monday and it came today. Kudos to Mr. Fong for his quick service.

[Titus213]

Well, the pictures came out OK (I think), thanks to all the help from this forum. It helped also that the LSII arrived and I got to do some testing with it. I've attached a sample of what I shot. The background was originally full of junk (photographers don't get to say what's in the background in these situations) and I am working on editing it out. But light wise, I'm pleased.

Thanks to all who helped. Hopefully it will get better from here....

[d'homme]

Their kinda of red aren't they?

[Titus213]

It did look a bit on the red side. The prints have been delivered and I thought they looked terrific. I think I just missed the WB on the image I posted. How's it look now?

BTW - you are right about trying to keep people out of the photo. I did some real close cropping because of stray arms, legs, heads. It gets wild and wooly, but I really like the effect the LSII was able to deliver.

Thanks again to all for the help and suggestions. I know it is possible to take good flash pictures and I'm determined to learn.:lol: