E shoot outdoor- need some tips

[Ghostrider86]

Hey everyone. i have been shooting on and off for 15 years but have never done it professionally.

My sister in law has asked me to shoot her engagement photos this coming weekend. I Looked around the site and gathered a list of stuff to rent hoping to take my shots to the next level!

I would like help on how to best utilize my equipment, surroundings, flash angles, camera settings and anything else i might not have thought of?? I am posting in hopes of learning something!

The location is a town square near Atlanta Ga, water fountain in middle, morning light between 8:30-11am. Weather will be between 35*-50* with sunny skies. Railroad tracks near by, props will be balloons, a white painted letter F (think sesame street) and flowers.

Here is the list of equipment-

10D - owned for 10 years.
24-80mm - 2.8f
420ex
580ex
Radio trigger for flash (pocket wizard)
48" umbrella
8' stand
gold/white reflector

[gonzogolf]

I'll argue for simplicity. Use the 580ex in the umbrella, for fill light. (keep the reflector handy as well), but worry less about the gear and more about posing, expressions, and composition. Work as early in that window of time as you can considering that fall light can he hard and direction mid day.

[Red Tie Photography]

Any lenses?

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

I'll argue for simplicity. Use the 580ex in the umbrella, for fill light. (keep the reflector handy as well), but worry less about the gear and more about posing, expressions, and composition. Work as early in that window of time as you can considering that fall light can he hard and direction mid day.

Awesome thanks Gonzo, thats a good start for sure! I notice in many pictures the light seems to be to camera Right. Is there a reason for this??

How close does the umbrella need to be to the subject??

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider86

Awesome thanks Gonzo, thats a good start for sure! I notice in many pictures the light seems to be to camera Right. Is there a reason for this??

How close does the umbrella need to be to the subject??

No there is no reason to have the light camera right. For this type of work I try to keep the light in front of the subject's nose if I can so that we dont end up with hard side shadows, so wherever they are looking thats the ballpark of where my light is going to be. Obviously that goes out the window if you are filling in shadows from the sun, or if you have some creative effect you want.

The closer you can get the umbrella to the subject the softer the light is. So get as close as you can for the most part.

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by Red Tie Photography

Any lenses?

DOLT! I knew i was forgetting something.

24-80mm 2.8f

Thanks for asking!

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

No there is no reason to have the light camera right. For this type of work I try to keep the light in front of the subject's nose if I can so that we dont end up with hard side shadows, so wherever they are looking thats the ballpark of where my light is going to be. Obviously that goes out the window if you are filling in shadows from the sun, or if you have some creative effect you want.

The closer you can get the umbrella to the subject the softer the light is. So get as close as you can for the most part.

That makes sense. Being an E shoot there will be several shots where they will be facing each other. Any tips on how to get that right??

There is one special shot where they have requested that they face each other and each blow a bubble (think kids bubbles, not gum) and have the bubbles touch for the picture.

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider86

That makes sense. Being an E shoot there will be several shots where they will be facing each other. Any tips on how to get that right??

There is one special shot where they have requested that they face each other and each blow a bubble (think kids bubbles, not gum) and have the bubbles touch for the picture.

If they turn profile then you dont have to worry about nose shadows, but you probably want to stay reasonably close to the camera axis so that the shadow from one subject doesnt get thrown on to the other. Considering you are balancing flash with ambient you probably want the flash fairly close to the camera axis anyway.

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

If they turn profile then you dont have to worry about nose shadows, but you probably want to stay reasonably close to the camera axis so that the shadow from one subject doesnt get thrown on to the other. Considering you are balancing flash with ambient you probably want the flash fairly close to the camera axis anyway.

Ok great, so i can shoot from under the umbrella when need be. How can i utilized my 420ex? Will that help if i turn the camera to the side with the flash pointing to the left with a bounce attached- umbrella right?? Then i could have light left and right in case we are not using the natural light? Maybe in the shadow of the building or something?

[gonzogolf]

I dont know that I would add a second light. Since the sun is one light, and your fill is the second I think you are covered without complicating things.

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

I dont know that I would add a second light. Since the sun is one light, and your fill is the second I think you are covered without complicating things.

Thanks for the input. I won't try and complicate this any more.

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider86

Thanks for the input. I won't try and complicate this any more.

Each light you add, is more shadow to deal with. In the case of twighlight, night, or studio shots a second light would be invaluable, but here you just need some fill. Keep the sun behind them as much as you can use the flash to brighten up the shadowy bits and show off their love.

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

Each light you add, is more shadow to deal with. In the case of twighlight, night, or studio shots a second light would be invaluable, but here you just need some fill. Keep the sun behind them as much as you can use the flash to brighten up the shadowy bits and show off their love.

Keep the sun behind them- or me?

I would love some input on how to face them, the lighting, and the natural light??

My E pics were done with a 70-200 / 2.8f with the sun behind me with a washing effect , the camera looking into the partially blocked sun. I liked them but i noticed the images weren't sharp. IT gave a soft tone to the pics which we liked.

I guess i could experiment with both. i tend to like sharper images as i have taken plenty of soft focus shots in my life!

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider86

Keep the sun behind them- or me?

I would love some input on how to face them, the lighting, and the natural light??

My E pics were done with a 70-200 / 2.8f with the sun behind me with a washing effect , the camera looking into the partially blocked sun. I liked them but i noticed the images weren't sharp. IT gave a soft tone to the pics which we liked.

I guess i could experiment with both. i tend to like sharper images as i have taken plenty of soft focus shots in my life!

If you want that look that you describe you need the sun behind and lower so that you get some flare and it softens edge definition.

The reason I suggest the sun be behind them, or slightly behind and to one side is that it provides natural background separation/hairlight and then you get to control the light that falls on their face. If you get the sun in their face then if its low, your flash wont help much, and if its high all you are doing is softening the eye shadows. Keep in mind that your flash doesnt have enough power to "overpower" the sun in the shooting times that you mention. So you have to work with the sun to whatever degree you can. By overpower the sun I mean to intentionally underexpose the ambient light to make it appear darker and then add flash to illuminate the subject.

[Ghostrider86]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

If you want that look that you describe you need the sun behind and lower so that you get some flare and it softens edge definition.

The reason I suggest the sun be behind them, or slightly behind and to one side is that it provides natural background separation/hairlight and then you get to control the light that falls on their face. If you get the sun in their face then if its low, your flash wont help much, and if its high all you are doing is softening the eye shadows. Keep in mind that your flash doesnt have enough power to "overpower" the sun in the shooting times that you mention. So you have to work with the sun to whatever degree you can. By overpower the sun I mean to intentionally underexpose the ambient light to make it appear darker and then add flash to illuminate the subject.

OHH yes, i got it. Makes total sense. Thanks a ton for that! important stuff. I am starting to see the pictures in my head now!

I am picking up the equipment friday afternoon, so i will play with it then to try stuff out and experiment.