Small studio setup with 2 speedlites

I tried this last night and I wasn't able to get it set up in a satisfactory way. Is there some advice on how to make this work? I was trying to use one on my model and one to kill shadow on my paper backdrop. I tried different power settings and all that. They are both on stands with triggers. The backdrop is off white. The background light was a 430ex2 and the main light was a 580ex 2. Thanks for any advice.

What modifiers are you using? Without knowing what look you're going for I'll just throw some ideas out there:

If you are trying to do high key, you need to light the backdrop separately, meaning 1 speedlight on its own, leaving one speedlight for the subject, so you might want a speedlight and reflector for the subject.

If you are using both speedlights on your subject, you're going to get a low key or grey looking backdrop from the light fall off. No way around it unless you have your subject right up on the backdrop.

You could pick up a cheap manual flash or 2 like a YN 560 and use those to light your backdrop.

It would be helpful in addition to letting us know if you are using modifiers (softboxes or umbrellas) if you could post a couple shots of your results. Its often easier to see the error than anticipate the problems.

I tried using 2 speedlites in a studio setup with umbrellas and softboxes. Eventually I added a third, and now a fourth. Much better with four of them lol. Just pick up some manual flashes for about $60.

No modifiers. But I just ordered a 300 w/s strobe with a large grid soft box. Should work fairly well for my setup. And I ordered a soft box for one of the speedlites. I also have a large circular reflector/diffuser I can hang somewhere if need be.

And I don't think I can post what I tried to take last night. My other half is a freelance nude model and I think this isn't a nsfw forum.

I'm looking for just casual "artistic" stuff. I have a slightly off white paper background so I can do either high key or go for something else. My 430 was just blowing out the background and still didn't get rid of the heavy shadows from the other light. Just ordered a black paper backdrop too so I think I may get better results with that. Sorry, I'm used to only using studios set up by other people so any advice is highly appreciated.

Think you might have fun with a Studio Strobe and a 430II!

Personally if I was you - either go studio strobes or Canon Speedlites.

I compromised inside I use 3 Bowens Studio Flashes and one Yn560II (cheapo flash) to illuminate the backdrop.
Outside I use an STE3 to trigger 2 600EX RTs in ETTL2 mode and the Yn 560II to illuminate background or fill to taste.

bugler wrote in post #16251448
No modifiers. But I just ordered a 300 w/s strobe with a large grid soft box. Should work fairly well for my setup. And I ordered a soft box for one of the speedlites. I also have a large circular reflector/diffuser I can hang somewhere if need be.

And I don't think I can post what I tried to take last night. My other half is a freelance nude model and I think this isn't a nsfw forum.

I'm looking for just casual "artistic" stuff. I have a slightly off white paper background so I can do either high key or go for something else. My 430 was just blowing out the background and still didn't get rid of the heavy shadows from the other light. Just ordered a black paper backdrop too so I think I may get better results with that. Sorry, I'm used to only using studios set up by other people so any advice is highly appreciated.

Unmodified flash in a small studio means hard shadows. There is really no way around it. Many new users think you can add extra lights to kill shadows but its important to remember that each light you add creates a new shadow somewhere. Its much easier to increase the size of your light source with a modifier which is the key to soft light. Then you can work on balance to better control shadows.

Ok, I just got this light in the mail today. Coupled with a 430ex 2 and a yn560 2 (for some reason thought i had a canon 580...) and either white or black paper background, will I be able to put together a semi-respectable small studio? I have triggers for all flashes and they are all on stands.

bugler wrote in post #16253722
Ok, I just got this light in the mail today. Coupled with a 430ex 2 and a yn560 2 (for some reason thought i had a canon 580...) and either white or black paper background, will I be able to put together a semi-respectable small studio? I have triggers for all flashes and they are all on stands.

You can make the gear work, although it still comes back to modifiers for the speedlights. The disparity in power between your strobe and your speedlite may also be an issue as well. But the problems from here on out are not so much gear related as knowledge related.

I guess I'll just have to spend some time down there and just shoot a bunch till I get what I want. I'll have a small strap on softbox for one of the speedlites but that's really it for modifiers.

Size matters. Strap on boxes dont increase the size significantly. Get some umbrellas and start there.

Youtube can be your friend here. B&H photo has videos as well on lighting. AdoramaTV is helpful as well.

bugler wrote in post #16253835
I guess I'll just have to spend some time down there and just shoot a bunch till I get what I want. I'll have a small strap on softbox for one of the speedlites but that's really it for modifiers.

I would pick up a couple of 40" convertible umbrellas (And brackets and stands if you don't have them). Those are big enough to make a real difference, yet small enough to be portable. Pretty cheap, too, for all the difference they make.

I like this one for the money: http://www.adorama.com​/LTU40BC.html

tkbslc wrote in post #16253867
I would pick up a couple of 40" convertible umbrellas (And brackets and stands if you don't have them). Those are big enough to make a real difference, yet small enough to be portable. Pretty cheap, too, for all the difference they make.

I like this one for the money: http://www.adorama.com​/LTU40BC.html

I'll definitely look into that. Thank you!