How many flashes do I need?

I know the number is not fixed depending on creativity, etc. but I was thinking 3 - key, fill and backlight? I have 1 430EX II right now and was thinking of picking up a couple of more at the refurb sale. Also need to get a couple more YN622Cs. I currently have a TX on my camera and 1 YN622C on my flash and it works great. For my use case, the Youngnuo system seems to work just fine.

Thanks.

Ditch the 430EX and go Radio. You can buy all Yongnuo without any triggers for pretty cheap. Get 3x 600's and the Controller.
http://www.adorama.com …0exrt.html?RRre​f=listPage
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …yn600ex_rt_for_​canon.html
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …peedlite_transm​itter.html

Also consider the Godox/Flashpoint flashes with battery packs... killer deals right now.... this could build a killer system in the future.
http://www.adorama.com​/fplfsl360ck1.html

I use the 622C/TX system; it works just fine. I suppose it is a bit cumbersome compared to flash units that can do radio natively. But is was relatively inexpensive. My flash collection includes: 2X 580EX II, 2X 430EX II, 270EXII, and MR-14EX (for macro, not as useful as I expected). I did have 2X 550EX and another 270EX II, but unloaded some excess gear.

depends what your trying to do. You can do a whole lot with one light and a reflector. Two lights gets you key/fill and/or with reflector key/fill and background. If you want blown out white background well you need 2 just for that to do it evenly. I personally have 4 but hardly use all 4 unless I'm doing all white background and a key and a fill. Rimlight is important too. If you want to omit using any reflector and want the maximum power than 5 total... 2 for background, one key, one fill... one rim. This would be imho the max you need. But that would be for whites background. Grey or something else well you can get away with 3. If you want to put a hotspot on the background you would only need one. Many possibilities exist. minimum 1... preffered is probably 3... max 5.

However just a single and reflector does go along way. Hope this helps.

Thanks, guys! Talley, yeah I have just had one flash so far. Shooting through an umbrella has worked fine for me as I am not a professional and it is only for family use. The strobist website was key in getting me started on flash photography. I was just thinking of expanding my set because of the refurb sale.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18196175
Thanks, guys! Talley, yeah I have just had one flash so far. Shooting through an umbrella has worked fine for me as I am not a professional and it is only for family use. The strobist website was key in getting me started on flash photography. I was just thinking of expanding my set because of the refurb sale.

Honestly for starting off and hobbyist/learning use I highly recommend the yongnou 600RT canon equals.

https://www.amazon.com …%2C159&crid=3PP​QW22LOBI53

anything there is good. For the price they work fantastic and I've recommended these to several individuals who have bought and have had great success.

So, if I go radio vs. optical, I would need the following, right?

1 YNE3-RT wireless transmitter
A couple of YN600EX-RT flashes, more later as needed..


Can this system still control the 430EX II that I have? I assume not, since it is optical, not radio, right? So, I would have to sell the YN622C-TX, the YN622C transceiver and the 430EX II flash?

It will not control the 430EX (radio) unless it can trigger from another flash.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18196228
It will not control the 430EX (radio) unless it can trigger from another flash.

Not true... he can use this on the 430: https://www.amazon.com …0&sr=1-1&keywords=yne3-rx

I actually have a pair of these and it's how I control the manual godox 360 barebulb strobes with the Canon ST-E3-RT transmitter.

My current setup is this:

Canon ST-E3-RT transmitter
two 600RT speedlights
two manual 360 barebulbs
two YNE3-RX receivers to integrate barebulb w/ canon transmitter.

The point I'm making to the OP is that the yongnuo stuff works just like the canon at a much cheaper price. My YNE3-RX are going up for sale soon since I just bought an all flashpoint R2 system w/ two ttl speedlightst and two ttl barebulbs.

Rather than answering directly the question posed, let me offer some generic comments on the topic of lighting for portraiture...

1. You need a Main source, for highlights to improve upon facial modelling
   
2. You need a source of fill illumination for contrast ratio control
   
3. You need to be able to visually 'separate' the main subject from the background, from a tonality point of view
   

Talley wrote in post #18196248
Not true... he can use this on the 430: https://www.amazon.com …0&sr=1-1&keywords=yne3-rx

Yes, true... but with what he listed it will not work. You've added something else. Semantics, I know.

Learn to use and master a single light first. Master one or be a master of none.

Once you can make one light act as a hair light, key light and fill - then move on to more.

Angmo wrote in post #18196308
Learn to use and master a single light first. Master one or be a master of none.

Once you can make one light act as a hair light, key light and fill - then move on to more.

Er... not saying I am a master of anything, but I've used one light extensively. Just trying to get some ideas on what hardware to sink my money into.

Well I just got 6 of the Flashpoint R2 Speedlights. 3 TTL and 3 Manual. And a 600 Strobe.
I sold off my YN stuff for the chance to go 1 system. No more triggers other than the 1 on the camera.
The YN600RT are nice for flash to flash communication but someday you are going to want a bigger light and the Flashpoint/Godox stuff lets you do that without using a trigger.

I rarely have lights in more than 3 places except for event/weddings. Having 6-speed lights scattered around can really help to up the light level in a large hall. I also often have 2 or 3 on 1 light stand when working outside to give me a quicker recycle. Most of my senior portraits I do with a light stand with 3 speed lights in an umbrella softbox and then another light stand with a single speedlight.
2 light sources but 4 speedlights.

To paraphrase former US Senator Phil Graham....... " I have more flashes than I need, but not as many as I want."