taking pics during the day, what is the best solution

[MoKanin]

Hey guys, i would really appreciate some help with a photoshoot tomorrow. I am an amatuer and am still in the learning process. I have 2 girls agree to have their pictures taken at a botanical garden. we will be there at around 4 pm and hoping it will be partially cloudy. My skill in posing a model is lacking, any tips? As far as the equipment goes, here is the gear list:

40d
canon 85 f1.8, 35 f2, (nifty fifty broke) and tamron 17-50 f2.8
430ex ii
cybersyncs
vivitar 285hv
w/stand and umbrella or westcott softbox
5 in 1 reflector

The plan:
Use the 85 1.8 and reflector for fill
or should i use the vivitar and umbrella for fill?
would you use a different lens or set up?
I might be traveling by public transportation so i want to travel light.

[hawk911]

remember- if you're using a flash, you have to watch sync speeds. 4pm can help, but if it's still very bright you may not get a decent aperture. pull then off the flowers/shrubbery etc as much as you can and let bokeh take care of the BG.

[PashaPhoto]

find some shade... open up that 85 to about 2.8'ish give or take a stop... then just shoot tight dof'ing some color in the background (you should have no problem finding bg colors in a botanical garden)...

unless you have a permit, or know you're allowed to shoot there without one, i would avoid bringing anything like stands and softboxes and just shoot all nat light, with maybe just a bit of flash turned way down for catchlights......

[MoKanin]

thanks guys, the photo opp was actually cancelled. but i will take this info into account for the next time. you think i can bring a collapsable reflector disc? or maybe a white towel that someone can hold?

[hawk911]

the collapsible disk before the towel.

[BrodieButler]

Just on top of what Pasha said. What I have often done before, is get your subject in the edge of some shade, and then use the reflector to bounce the sun onto the subject to give you a main light source. Very cheap and excellent quality light. Need an assistant though who understands angles. I'm still amazed at the number of people who can't work a reflector.

Easy to move around too.

[MoKanin]

Kinda stupid but dont I just have to bounce the light onto the subject if Im using as a main light? and if Im using as a fill light, fill in the shadows from the opposite side?

[hawk911]

yes, and yes