Using what I have

My sister-in-law wants to get some portraits of her 2 and 3 year olds... I've been putting it off because I don't know much about portraiture setups. Could use some advice here.

What I have:

• I have a Cactus V4 trigger lying around somewhere that I've never opened.
  
• 2 580EXII
  
• 1 430EX
  
• A couple of flash umbrellas and stands
  
• A white backdrop and a black backdrop I just ordered

The backdrop makes a difference in how you light this to a minor degree, so it would help to know if you are going white or black. The tradional setup would be one flash in an umbrella (you dont say reflective or shoot through) to the side and above maybe 45 degree angle. A second light perhaps a stop less power near the camera axis for fill, to soften (but not totally eliminate) the shadows made by the key light. The third light would be for background separation. If you want a white drop, point it at the drop, if you use the black point it at the subjects hair from behind to create some rim light. This is all just a starting point, you may find lots of variables.

Do you have some light stands (can be of the humanoid type) and any light modifiers?

Yes, you should be able to use the cactus on the camera to trigger one of the 580's. In turn, this 580 can trigger the other 580 and 430. If you don't have modifiers, I'd bounce one/two lights off the ceiling and/or walls or some combo and make a snoot out of a paper tube to use as a hair light behind the subject with the 3rd light. You can play with the power settings (before your models arrive) to find the most pleasing lighting. Now would be a good time to read the strobist and maybe invest in a couple of light stands and umbrellas.

I'd just go full manual power control (at the flash) for your set up. If you put one trigger on the camera and the other on a 580 for your key light, then buy a couple of cheap optical triggers for the remaining flash units, you'll be up and running.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …lave_Flash_Unit​_with.html

alternatively, spend a few dollars more and pick up two sets of these to fire your flashes.

http://www.amazon.com …0_pe_309540_267​25410_item

Otherwise, I believe you are stuck with a 580 in the hotshoe as a master to the other flashes.

Seamus69 wrote in post #16775063
Yes, you should be able to use the cactus on the camera to trigger one of the 580's. In turn, this 580 can trigger the other 580 and 430.

doesn't this require TTL from camera/trigger > trigger/580?

Thanks for the responses so far. A few answers and comments:

- The umbrellas are shoot through umbrellas. I have two... they are pretty small - I think 24 inches or so.
- I have one of those 5-in-1 light reflectors and I can get someone to hold them.
- I'll most probably use the white backdrop... depends on what my sister-in-law wants... but I can convince her to use white.
- No other light modifiers.

I also have some colored gels that I can put on one of the lights - maybe one pointing at the backdrop for some color. I think I should focus on first getting the hang of this first before experimenting with that, though.

Nathan wrote in post #16775131
Thanks for the responses so far. A few answers and comments:

- The umbrellas are shoot through umbrellas. I have two... they are pretty small - I think 24 inches or so.
- I have one of those 5-in-1 light reflectors and I can get someone to hold them.
- I'll most probably use the white backdrop... depends on what my sister-in-law wants... but I can convince her to use white.
- No other light modifiers.

I also have some colored gels that I can put on one of the lights - maybe one pointing at the backdrop for some color. I think I should focus on first getting the hang of this first before experimenting with that, though.

Good plan on delaying implementation of the gels. If you do, try the black drop. Its sounds counter intuitive, but you will get better color on the black than the white.

Yeah... this is something I've been hoping to get started on as the next progression of my photography. I just want to be able to do this well enough for family portraits... love to take photos of the niece and nephew as they grow up... and that's practice for when we hopefully have kids of our own.

By the way - regarding those Yongnuo triggers... if I get two sets of them (4 total), can I put one each on my 5D2 and 5D3 and have my wife use the 2nd camera and both of us trigger the lights? I'd imagine there might be some issue with batteries recharging for the speedlites if we click too fast, but just a thought.

I have 6 hours to order if I want them delivered tomorrow.

Nathan wrote in post #16775188
By the way - regarding those Yongnuo triggers... if I get two sets of them (4 total), can I put one each on my 5D2 and 5D3 and have my wife use the 2nd camera and both of us trigger the lights? I'd imagine there might be some issue with batteries recharging for the speedlites if we click too fast, but just a thought.

I have 6 hours to order if I want them delivered tomorrow.

Yes, the YN's he linked to are transceivers. So as long as your two cameras are setup on the same channel you can both fire. Although you have 4 triggers and 3 lights, plus on unit on the camera you still would need one more in a dual camera setup.

I have 4 603II and expected to use 3 on flashes and one on my camera. It didn't take long to fall in love with using one as a hand held shutter release. Now I need two more!

I would suggest setting your flashes on 1/2 power (or less) to help with recycle times. Doing this might also be nice to keep the little ones in good spirits by not hitting them with too much light. Sometimes all that gear can be intimidating.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16775207
Yes, the YN's he linked to are transceivers. So as long as your two cameras are setup on the same channel you can both fire. Although you have 4 triggers and 3 lights, plus on unit on the camera you still would need one more in a dual camera setup.

Shoot... i can't count