Need Advice for Christmas

[Bilsen]

Hi all,

As a favor to a friend, I'm shooting a family portrait (my first) on Saturday.

Subjects: Mom, Dad and adult son

Setting: My formal Living room. Hunter green walls, white trim, white couches, white trimmed fireplace, various end tables and lamps.

Gear: 450D, 580EX on camera, 2 - 430EX flashes on stands with umbrellas (reflect or shoot through convertibles), Tripod

Lens choices: 24-105 L IS, 50mm f1.4, 18-55 IS kit lens (which I like)

Since Dad is the guy who has loaned me the 24-105 on basically a long term basis, I'd really like to get this one right for them. Outdoor light is irrelevant since it will be dark outside.

Ideas from people who do this stuff please??

[TheHoff]

Using the zoom or kit lens will be fine. You should be at f/5.6 or smaller to make sure the entire group is in focus (assuming you're at 30 to 40mm on the crop body).

I'd keep the umbrellas as reflective since your walls are coloured.

Setting up the group, etc, will really depend on your furniture and the mood you want the photo to have.

[Bilsen]

Thanks Hoff.

Any thoughts on strobe placement. High on the right (Key), from below on the left (fill) sound right??

I'll probably just tell the 580EX not to fire.