shooting group shot in a small office

i will be shooting a small group in an office, low ceilings, florescent lighting. groups of four to six. i'd prefer to get a large softbox behind me or bounce a few speedlights off a wall, but i will be too close to the group to use a softbox and the layout of the office doesn't give me a wall behind me to use.

should i bounce the speedlights off the ceiling instead? do i need to put a reflector below the group to bounce the light backup, or will the bounce around on its own. They wont be full body shots.

also should i turnoff the the lights (it may dark, few windows) or just gel the flash green?

im trying to get very soft even light and accurate WB.

If color accuracy is key turn off or overpower the room lights or at least the ones around them
Shooting with more light also can darken out the background ? Not sure if you want background or not ?


Might use umbrellas then if in tight quarters bouncing off ceiling might get to many shadows and filling in below with reflector might start getting clunky

Two umbrellas on stands boring but good even light IMHO wins out also super simple no chance of strange bounce colors since color accuracy is a goal

bring a c stand and a white foamcore and use that to bounce your lights with.


If you don't have walls near enought to bounce....make your own white wall.

Thanks guys. I though about both. I probably go with two umbrellas for simplicity. Shoot through or bounce?

if you dont have room for a soft box I would say shoot through might also be to forward also ? so might do the bounce ? you can always move a regular umbrella forward but if the shoot through or soft box cant get back anymore might get in the shot ? again hard to say until you see it maybe so be prepared

I don't have room for a large soft box to place back far to get nice even lighting. I done own a large soft box, so I'd have to rent. Two umbrellas on either side should provide enough even lighting. I have one of each, shoot through and bounce. I can pick up another of either. I'm thinking shoot through. I'd think I'd rather the light spill more.

thoughts?

The goal is well lit subjects not award winning lighting design.
Two shoot throughs one on each side of camera so they are nearly touching over your head. Feather them a bit outward to minimize a hot spot in the middle.

If you get the exposure about two stops over ambient you won't have WB problems. Also, if the room is as small as you suggest the light bouncing around from the umbrellas will light it up enough.

dont know some details ?
how much you are getting paid client expectation ? where its being published etc..
so not sure how much $ you want to spend on it ?

two of the same kind umbrella shoot through or bounce or whatever you can get heck I bet even the two of what you have would do fine
run a test see what ya think ?
4-6 folks two rows 2-3 people could even get away with one modifier most likely shoot through above you ? might be a touch flat looking but again who what where is it for if they are paying you and you said you were a PRO do it right ! if its a favor for a friend sure he will understand that is kinda what I mean ?

it's staff shots for a redesigned website they are doing. as it was mentioned the goal is well lit subjects, im not going for any awards here.

i have a short window to work, i need to get in and get out during their lunch break.

just a thought and not sure your past experience but test things out at home with a few friends if you can !
figure out some distances and settings that work if you can test in a small office somewhere all the better

nice to walk in nail it ! or at least appear that way so your base settings are close a couple quick tweaks and firing off shots
as you might be aware be ready before calling folks in so they are not waiting for you kinda thing

best of luck

If you've got room for two shoot through umbrellas, one to each side of the camera you are golden.