Can 3 Canon Speedlites light a car?

[cellg8]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum... I have some speedlights and don't want to spend money on Alien Bees right now (rough economy). So I wanted to make the best out of what I already have. I have 580EX & EXII's.

My questions are:

1) Are 3 speed lights enough to light a car?
2) What is your set up as far as hooking PW's to these speedlights? Velcro?
3) How high do you generally place your lights? Up high or on the ground?

Any other tips are great appreciated...thank you all in advacne!

[StreamlineGT]

I have 3 flashes, and they do fine. I've heard that height is key, but depending on the subject, height and placement may vary to prevent reflections in the body. I'm not sure how to hook up all your flashes, but light stands are a must. What is a PW?

[tkoutdoor]

Originally Posted by StreamlineGT

I have 3 flashes, and they do fine. I've heard that height is key, but depending on the subject, height and placement may vary to prevent reflections in the body. I'm not sure how to hook up all your flashes, but light stands are a must. What is a PW?

PW = Pocket Wizard (radio trigger for activating flash)

If it can be done, these guys will know how... they do everything and then some with hotshoe flash.
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

[cellg8]

Thank you, Brandon. PW = Pocket Wizard..sorry...thanks!

[StreamlineGT]

I should have known that, I have some LOL.

Here's what my list would consist of....

3 - light stands at least 8' I would say.
3 - umbrella brackets
4 - PW's
3 - falsh zebra hot shoe adapters.

Are you asking how to attach the PW to the stand, or how to hook them up to the flash?

[cellg8]

Thank you, Brendon... Looking for a secured way to hook PW to flash.. the core that comes with it seems flimsy...

[cellg8]

Btw, do you have any samples/set ups of how you light the car with 3 flashes?

[StreamlineGT]

what I normally do is just hang the PW, using the strap that comes with it, on one of the handles on the umbrella bracket. I don't have them rigidly mounted.

[StreamlineGT]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=635579

These are a little dark, but not because it wasn't enough light, I had the flashes turned down too much. this is the first time I've done this, so not sure if this is the correct way, but they came out ok.

[cellg8]

Thank you, Brandon for your input and examples! Awesome!

John

[lambocars]

Hello,

take a look at this one : http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=643210
I used two 580EX II at 1/4 power triggered with Elinchrom SkyPorts ... I will be adding two more 430EX II's to my setup soon, but as you can see, even with two you can reach some degree of lighting.

[cellg8]

Lambocars, these are awesome! Where and how high did you place them? Thanks... I tried using 2 but no way it would like the whole car for me...

[SnlpeR]

IMO...8ft stands for cars outdoors is sometimes just not high enough

[lambocars]

Originally Posted by cellg8

Lambocars, these are awesome! Where and how high did you place them? Thanks... I tried using 2 but no way it would like the whole car for me...

The front 3/4 shot actually had two 580EX II on stands (2 feet high, 1/4 power) pointed towards the car straight on the wheels (both front and rear), and a second exposure (because of two angles for the polar filter) I moved one flash to the front of the car (same stand, about 2 feet high again 1/4 power) and left the second on the front wheel. Combined exposures in photoshop.

The rear 3/4 shot I had one 580EX II on the floor pointing towards the corner of the rear bumper (you can see the light on the tire) and the second 580 EX on 1/2 power at the middle of the doors. In this shot I did remove some specs that showed the flashes, but that only took about a minute or so.

All shots were done with bare flash, no umbrella or other modifier.

[cellg8]

Thank you, Lambo!