Suitable Modifiers for Travel

Been reading around this community for so long and have learned a ton. Thankful for the many people who share their knowledge.

I am heading to Guatemala on a humanitarian trip with a nonprofit I work with. I will be devoting a bunch of time to doing portraits with locals in the mountains and whatnot. I am taking my 5dmkii with an 430exii running wirelessly.

We will be walking up mountains and hiking through different terrain, so I want something portable that can be put in a backpack. I'm unsure whether a softbox or reflector would be the best use of the lighting for the portraits I am looking for & portable for the type of trip this is.

This is the style I'm looking to shoot (http://estherhavens.co​m/?world%2fuganda (not my photos, so I am linking to her blog))

Thanks!

andytallman wrote in post #16206898
Been reading around this community for so long and have learned a ton. Thankful for the many people who share their knowledge.

I am heading to Guatemala on a humanitarian trip with a nonprofit I work with. I will be devoting a bunch of time to doing portraits with locals in the mountains and whatnot. I am taking my 5dmkii with an 430exii running wirelessly.

We will be walking up mountains and hiking through different terrain, so I want something portable that can be put in a backpack. I'm unsure whether a softbox or reflector would be the best use of the lighting for the portraits I am looking for & portable for the type of trip this is.

This is the style I'm looking to shoot (http://estherhavens.co​m/?world%2fuganda (not my photos, so I am linking to her blog))

Thanks!

When she used a flash it looks like it was unmodified. Which, with a 430 is probably your best choice for fill.

If you want to get a bit larger light for head and shoulders, then;

One of these: http://www.calumetphot​o.com …0positionable%2​0reflector

and

One of these: http://www.calumetphot​o.com …0positionable%2​0reflector

are reasonable choices given need to stay small and mobile. Personally, I'd also take along a collapsible 5-1 reflector. That will give you several options, including a translucent panel to fire the flash through or to soften sunlight.

Here is a useful umbrella option: http://www.calumetphot​o.com …rchterm:Brolly|​Grip%20Kit

Softboxes are as compact as umbrellas when not assembled! The only issue with softbox is the need for a speedring...but then an umbrella needs an umbrella holder, too. Setup and takedown is certainly faster with umbrella.
Don't forget...both require some sort of support stand or someone acting as your assistant to help aim the source at your subject.

wow. These tips are fantastic! Thanks. I'm going to look into them.

I will have an assistant/translator who can aim the light source.

Would you think having a the 5 in 1 reflector would suffice for what I am doing? I could just use the translucent panel to soften the flash? Or would a small softbox do that better?

andytallman wrote in post #16207050
wow. These tips are fantastic! Thanks. I'm going to look into them.

I will have an assistant/translator who can aim the light source.

Would you think having a the 5 in 1 reflector would suffice for what I am doing? I could just use the translucent panel to soften the flash? Or would a small softbox do that better?

Only SIZE controls 'softness'. A 36" softbox will be as soft a source as a 36" reflective umbrella will be as soft a source as a 36" shoot thru umbrella.

In a reflective enrivonment (room), the preceding list of modifiers is listed in rank order of 'control of spill'. Outdoors, spill won't matter.

dmward makes a key point in his comment, "(shoot thru) to soften sunlight"...a modifier held between sun and subject makes for a very convenient way to get 'soft' light rather than merely decreasing the light contrast with full.

Wilt wrote in post #16207063
Only SIZE controls 'softness'. A 36" softbox will be as soft a source as a 36" reflective umbrella will be as soft a source as a 36" shoot thru umbrella.

In a reflective enrivonment (room), the preceding list of modifiers is listed in rank order of 'control of spill'. Outdoors, spill won't matter.

dmward makes a key point in his comment, "(shoot thru) to soften sunlight"...a modifier held between sun and subject makes for a very convenient way to get 'soft' light rather than merely decreasing the light contrast with full.

So with that in mind, a reflector would be an effective way to either use the sunlight or speedlite depending on the situation. Would a bigger sized reflector set be a better idea for me in this type of use?

If you want to reduce your load to one modifier, I think I'd opt for the brolly grip and umbrella. The umbrella can also act as a reflector. One option is a collapsible umbrella. I have 3 or 4 of them, they are quite small when fully collapsed. The handle is a nice mount that keeps the flash tube close to the center of the umbrella. It will also be easy for your assistant/translator to hold.
If you are willing to carry it along as well, I'd get a 36" white/silver collapsible reflector to go along with the umbrella.

Shooting a flash through the translucent disk is nice light but also requires two people to hold everything in proper relationship. I suggested it earlier, on reflection, think the brolly grip with collapsible shoot through is a better choice.

Also, there will probably be lots of "available" reflectors on location.

For portraits find the light, then move the subject for best results.

andytallman wrote in post #16207083
So with that in mind, a reflector would be an effective way to either use the sunlight or speedlite depending on the situation. Would a bigger sized reflector set be a better idea for me in this type of use?

Get the largest collapsible reflector you are willing to carry collapsed.

I totally get the "available" reflector comments

I'm thinking that the grip and umbrella might be a great idea. Is there a specific umbrella you'd recommend looking at and considering? I like the grip idea and if I get something that folds up nicely, I'll be happy with it!

andytallman wrote in post #16207147
I totally get the "available" reflector comments

I'm thinking that the grip and umbrella might be a great idea. Is there a specific umbrella you'd recommend looking at and considering? I like the grip idea and if I get something that folds up nicely, I'll be happy with it!

I have 3 of these.

http://www.adorama.com​/WEUC43W.html

They should work great with the Brolly Grip.

An umbrella can also be used as a diffuser if you are out in any open areas without shade and don't want harsh sunlit subjects.

andytallman wrote in post #16207083
So with that in mind, a reflector would be an effective way to either use the sunlight or speedlite depending on the situation. Would a bigger sized reflector set be a better idea for me in this type of use?

SIZE matters...in this case, it creates a larger total area of diffuse light shade

Dear ANDYTALLMAN,

Also, perhaps a portable “lightstick” composed of compact monopod (say folded to 15” or less) - only if you anticipate finding yourself having to do a lot of group shots too & don’t mind carying a little more gear. You may wish to include one of these to put your flash on, which someone could hold above and behind you for when doing group portraits, to minimize overlapping face/head shadows.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …738+4167619192+​4291757679

Diffusing the harsh open sunlight with diffuser or umbrella sure makes for softer images.
As WILT says SIZE does matter - I find 43" reflector/diffuser or umbrella work for diffusing head/shoulder & from waist up shots, but 52" or larger scrims serve better coverage but are too bulky to carry.

Else don't under estimate the compactness & extreme usefulness of a 3-stop or 2-stop Neutral Density filter for enabling you flexibility/creativity in your setting (shutter speed, aperture & ISO) when in open harsh sunlight.
I use & always carry these (72, 77 & 82 mm):
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …265+4294955264+​4294955263

Often less is more... particularly if you wish to operate with subtleness, respect & a low-key profile, when creating realisitc and candid images of your subjects. Only you can guage your subjects' reactions and any cultural differences to photographing activities.

Undoubtedly, a very thoughtful and reflective journey for you – count your blessings & enjoy the preciousness of life…

Mary

Try the 30" Foursquare soft box, it packs up small and is extremely well made, makes some beautiful light for portraits. http://lightwaredirect​.com …oducts/kits/fsk​30-sp.html

How compact do you want?

Lastolite makes a trifold umbrella that is just tiny when folded all the way down. This come at the cost of strength though as a good breeze will invert the umbrella. But couple that with their umbrella grip and you have a tiny portable package.

Grip:
http://m.bhphotovideo.​com …&title=Brolly+G​rip+Handle

Umbrella:
http://m.bhphotovideo.​com …Trifold+Umbrell​a+(35.4%22)