How much can be done with speedlights?

I'm interested in taking candid-style glamour photography. I don't really know the best way to describe what I'm talking about but the photos usually have a rougher touch to them. You won't see any heavy skin smoothing or other air brushing in the photos that I'm talking about. They are usually in black and white and not usually taken in studio. I hope that describes what I'm talking about okay.

For this type of photography, could I get away with using speedlites? I don't really want to get into studio quite yet. I have one 430EX flash right now and a transmitter. I'm thinking about picking up a 2nd, 530EX flash. Will this give me more options when it comes to lighting? Can a lot of good lighting be done with just two lights and maybe the sun as well?

http://www.strobist.bl​ogspot.com/

Practically everything you'd ever want to know about shooting with speedlights...

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/seanmcfoto/2446​051641/

A lot.

Nice. All those were just done with speedlite style flashes? That gives me a lot more confidence to start exploring what I can do with these things! I still need to invest in some umbrellas or something though.

Check out his setup photos. Nikon SBs

I use speedlights with umbrellas and such as well. A 580exII at 1/1 output at about 10-15 feet gives me ISO100, 1/200 sync, at f/11. With a diffuser or small umbrella its around f/5.6. That's not bad. I don't mind this for smaller portrait shoots, fill lights, etc...

For a larger full body portrait shoot with backdrops etc..., stronger lights would come in much more useful and offer greater flexibility.

For glamor, you might want to think about a 580exII and a Ray Flash ringlight. http://www.expoimaging​.net …=15&productname​=Ray_Flash

That would be relatively inexpensive and very portable. At relatively small distances (closer than 25 feet from the model), this would work very well. You could even remote control the 430 as an accent, hair, or background fill light.

I totally use speedlights for many things. I've shot any product work ive done with speedlights.

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5589404
Strobist shooters are a dime a dozen nowadays and the multiple speedlite look is kinda tired.

Like the same a multiple studio strobe look is getting kinda tired?

I think not.

Imagine how much we could make if we took .02cs for collection!

Lights only look like what you make them to be.

Knowing how to use them, and then using what you need to achieve your results will never be "old" or "tired." The key is knowing when to light, and when not to light! People who copy other's styles, or have a self imposed "look" that they repeat over and and over and over again might get "tired"...but knowing how to use lights properly will never tire.

Hear hear. Assessing lighting and if needed, artificial lighting to compliment the subject is an intensely individual thing. Can make it look flat, or vibrant, scary or beautiful

I have a 550, 580, and 2 sunpack 622.and I think they are just not as good as full set-ups..

they are

cheap and fast..

out of

Fast, cheap, good

Nothing comes close to the power and control of a full rig, just try and move it all in one small package

Blue S2 wrote in post #5589324
At relatively small distances (closer than 25 feet from the model), this would work very well. .

This really amused me. Closer than 25 feet from the model is a relatively small distance? I've never been that far away from a model in my life (in a studio that is). Do you need a walkie-talkie to communicate with her

Oh, Im coming from "On-location" mentallity. In a studio I would figure someone would be using a normal strobe head rig or something. I wouldn't want a studio setup for people with speedlights. Ide rather have more juice.

On location though...speedlights are great! And on location sometimes you can get more than 25' .... not often...but some situations do arise.

Blue S2 wrote in post #5589324
For glamor, you might want to think about a 580exII and a Ray Flash ringlight. http://www.expoimaging​.net …=15&productname​=Ray_Flash

That would be relatively inexpensive and very portable. At relatively small distances (closer than 25 feet from the model), this would work very well. You could even remote control the 430 as an accent, hair, or background fill light.

I totally use speedlights for many things. I've shot any product work ive done with speedlights.

I can't find any testshots of the Ray Ringflash on the net, does anybody have a link where i can find a test or some testshots?