Advice on family portrait

Hi
I need advice. I don't know where to start. I'm looking to get something for family portrait (2-4 adults and 2 kids) at home. I luv taking family pictures. I'm not making any money out of it.
So what do I need to look? Shoot through umbrella / reflective umbrella or something better?
And budget it limited.. nothing more than $100 (very max) but looking for lower.

Also could you provide me some info on what kind of pic do I get with your recommended setup?

Thanks in advance.

For that budget your best option is a 40ish inch shoot through umbrella, stand and swivel bracket.
http://www.amazon.com …ords=umbrella+p​hotography

http://www.amazon.com …keywords=umbrel​la+bracket


http://www.amazon.com …ht+stands+for+p​hotography

Get a shoot through umbrella for $30 and centre it above you. You can even put some white cardboard on the floor in front of the group if there is room. The some light will deflect down and bounce up to help eliminate any shadows under the chins, etc. With the umbrella above there won't be many shadows anyway. Keep the people least 10 feet from you so the flash provides even illumination between people in the front and in the back.

This is the simplest method I can think of for a single umbrella. I use this for photo booth style shooting at a reception's etc.

Good luck.

You have helped me so much gonzo I'm starting to think like you

digital paradise wrote in post #16775355
You have helped me so much gonzo I'm starting to think like you

Its not rocket science And thank goodness its not.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16775361
Its not rocket science And thank goodness its not.

It sure feels like it is when you don't know what you are doing.

digital paradise wrote in post #16775364
It sure feels like it is when you don't know what you are doing.

Yes. The glory of digital is that you have the nearly instant feedback so you can work your way around this stuff that much faster.

Would this suffice?
One (1) Flash light bracket with umbrella holder N
One (1) 33" soft umbrella
One (1) 33" Silver Reflective Umbrella
One (1) 38" Gold Reflective Umbrella
One 7ft Lightstand

Can the 33" umbrella hold for the group family pic as I had mentioned 2-4 adults and 2 kids?

Is it better to use the flash or continuous lighting??

I was never comfortable with flash photography in the film days. Ever. Although I wish I knew what I know now back then. For an amateur you really just had clubs, maybe some classes and magazines/books. Now with all the info on internet and you can practise with free instant feedback it is a game changer.

robienyshe wrote in post #16775398
Would this suffice?
One (1) Flash light bracket with umbrella holder N
One (1) 33" soft umbrella
One (1) 33" Silver Reflective Umbrella
One (1) 38" Gold Reflective Umbrella
One 7ft Lightstand

Can the 33" umbrella hold for the group family pic as I had mentioned 2-4 adults and 2 kids?

The umbrellas are too small. You can light a group with any size umbrella but by the time you back it up far enough to get coverage it ceases to be of much benefit. I suggested at least 4 inches and honestly bigger would be better, perhaps a 60, but your budget is limited.

robienyshe wrote in post #16775400
Is it better to use the flash or continuous lighting??

I don't have it and have had success with flash. Interested to see what others say.

robienyshe wrote in post #16775400
Is it better to use the flash or continuous lighting??

Flash. Continuous light has to be very very bright for you to achieve the sort of shutter speed you need to stop movement, while keeping the F8 or so that it takes to get a group in focus. That means lots of power, and its damned uncomfortable for the subject. Flash is more powerful, cheaper for the same purpose, and you can go outside an play with it.

digital paradise wrote in post #16775401
I was never comfortable with flash photography in the film days. Ever. Although I wish I knew what I know now back then. For an amateur you really just had clubs, maybe some classes and magazines/books. Now with all the info on internet and you can practise with free instant feedback it is a game changer.

The college I attended had a studio with the darkroom right next door. Lots of shooting, and developing. Back then a flashmeter was essential. I still have my old luna-Pro F. Might look into having it bronzed.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16775412
The college I attended had a studio with the darkroom right next door. Lots of shooting, and developing. Back then a flashmeter was essential. I still have my old luna-Pro F. Might look into having it bronzed.

Ha. Probably something I should have had. I was more into the zone system back then and had a spot meter. Priorities and cash flows.