Advice needed for head and shoulder photoshoot lighting

I have agreed to do a photoshoot for my work - I am not a photographer but a keen amateur.

The photoshoot is to photograph 8 people (head and shoulders) against a plain background (white).

My work have booked a room which is about 4m x 14m with one window (approx 1.5m wide and floor to ceiling height).

I am going to shoot with a Canon R6 and a Canon EF 50mm 1.4 / Canon EF 85mm 1.4

I am unsure about the lighting side of things and want to keep it simple but without comprimising the photos.

I have a 110cm softbox, various reflectors, a white paper backdrop and also a popup 2m x 3m white panel.
I have 3 Canon Speedlites (600EXII-RT, 580EXII and 430EXII) and a Elinchrom RX4 plus an EL-Skyport Transmitter and a Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter.

I was thinking I would need a 3 light set up, key, hair and one to light up the backdrop.

But I am unsure if I have sufficient lighting kit to achieve this. I don't think I can trigger the Elinchron strobe and the Canon Speedlites together.

Any advice much appreciated. Perhaps 3 lights is overcomplicating things. I don't have a huge amount of lighting experience.

Thanks

Paul

The three Canon flashes should work together in optical-wireless mode, and it looks like the RX4 can be optically triggered by the Speedlites as well. You'd have to set some of the levels manually but you definitely have options.

For two lights, the ST-E3-RT with the 600 and the RX4.

What body?

For technique take a look at the joel grimes lit up videos on YouTube.

Caution number one with a white background…

Make sure the individuals are a fair distance away from the backdrop to reduce shadowing, and consider running a flash just on the backdrop as well to further reduce shadowing.

Caution two, run a small fill flash from below the subjects to reduce contrast around the neck and jawline.

The rest of the lighting will be up to you for the look you like. Try finding a large stuffed animal etc as a test subject and go to town!

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19475092
The three Canon flashes should work together in optical-wireless mode, and it looks like the RX4 can be optically triggered by the Speedlites as well. You'd have to set some of the levels manually but you definitely have options.

For two lights, the ST-E3-RT with the 600 and the RX4.

What body?

Thank you very much for replying. That is great news the RX4 can be optically triggered by the Speedlites. I will read up on this and try this tonight after work.
I am shooting with a Canon R6 body.
I am pleased to hear I have options without more expense.

Thanks for your advice

gonzogolf wrote in post #19475094
For technique take a look at the joel grimes lit up videos on YouTube.

Thank you - I will look these up tonight. Much appreciated!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19475107
Caution number one with a white background…

Make sure the individuals are a fair distance away from the backdrop to reduce shadowing, and consider running a flash just on the backdrop as well to further reduce shadowing.

Caution two, run a small fill flash from below the subjects to reduce contrast around the neck and jawline.

The rest of the lighting will be up to you for the look you like. Try finding a large stuffed animal etc as a test subject and go to town!

Thank you for the advice. I had watched a 3 light set up on YouTube that had one light behind the subject pointing at the backdrop, one off to the side behind the subject as a hair light, and then the main light at 45 degrees in a large softbox and this seemed like a good solution though I would be nervous to use 3 lights at once. This set up also had a reflector to the side of the subject to fill in some shadow. The small fill flash you suggested sounds great - I wonder if a reflector would suffice to prevent me needing 4 lights

I have 3 weeks before the shoot so will be getting in lots of practice.

Thank you for the advice - really helpful and much appreciated.

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19475092
The three Canon flashes should work together in optical-wireless mode, and it looks like the RX4 can be optically triggered by the Speedlites as well. You'd have to set some of the levels manually but you definitely have options.

For two lights, the ST-E3-RT with the 600 and the RX4.

What body?

That works a treat - thank you!!

Be aware that if your lights primarily illuminate the subject -- and NO source lights only the background -- your 'white' background will NEVER be 'white', it will be somewhat grayish!

Falloff of intensity of light is the reason. If your subject is 4' from the lightsource, and the background is another 4' behind the subject, the added distance to the background will account for it to be as much -2EV dimmer than the illumination of the subject (double the distance, 1/4 the illumination intensity)

Wilt wrote in post #19475255
Be aware that if your lights primarily illuminate the subject -- and NO source lights only the background -- your 'white' background will NEVER be 'white', it will be somewhat grayish!

Falloff of intensity of light is the reason. If your subject is 4' from the lightsource, and the background is another 4' behind the subject, the added distance to the background will account for it to be as much -2EV dimmer than the illumination of the subject (double the distance, 1/4 the illumination intensity)

There are some easy post processing filters that can help mitigate some of this should those results occur.

Good info though and obviously if this can be mitigated with proper lighting, the better. the goal should be very light post processing, results should be as close to final right out of camera for these types of studio portrait shots.

Wilt wrote in post #19475255
Be aware that if your lights primarily illuminate the subject -- and NO source lights only the background -- your 'white' background will NEVER be 'white', it will be somewhat grayish!

Falloff of intensity of light is the reason. If your subject is 4' from the lightsource, and the background is another 4' behind the subject, the added distance to the background will account for it to be as much -2EV dimmer than the illumination of the subject (double the distance, 1/4 the illumination intensity)

Thank you for that advice. I am going to test a 2 light set up at the weekend with the Elinchrom RX4 as the key light and the Canon 600EXII-RT to light the white background. I am thinking 2 would be easier to manage than 3 lights.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19475260
There are some easy post processing filters that can help mitigate some of this should those results occur.

Good info though and obviously if this can be mitigated with proper lighting, the better. the goal should be very light post processing, results should be as close to final right out of camera for these types of studio portrait shots.

Thank you. Just in case I need it, what sort of post processing filters are you referring to?

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19475107
Caution two, run a small fill flash from below the subjects to reduce contrast around the neck and jawline.

Would a large reflector on the floor work as an alternative to adding another flash for this?

You've got more than enough fire power for head shots. You say keep it simple so I would set up as follows :- With the trigger on the camera have the 600 in the 110cm soft box left of subject but close as to not have it in the frame. This would be your main light (say 1/8th power initially ) . As it is relatively large and close you'll get good soft light. I'd put a reflector right of subject, again close, as your fill light and an optically fired flash on a stand behind the subject to light the BG. If you start with a black frame your flash lights will controll the lighting. I'd set the camera on Manual at Sync shutter speed for your camera, f8 and ISO 100. With the flashes turned off this should give you a black frame and you need not worry about any ambient light from the window. Don't adjust the camera settings but change the power and positions of the soft box and relector to get the exposure. Shoot in RAW and shoot about 6 or 7 images per person. Happy shooting.

PSteven wrote in post #19475441
Would a large reflector on the floor work as an alternative to adding another flash for this?

It might, but depends on the room geometry a bit and how the light might bounce off the ceiling etc. since you have time to practice it can’t hurt to try.