Off Camera or On Camera for outside fill?

i have a shoot in a few days and im wondering what i should do
i will be shooting a couple of single people shots

i have several options

Option 1:
580EX II on camera

Option 2:
580EX II on stand with umbrella connected to camera via canon off camera shoe cord 2 (it keeps ettl but im limited to distance and movement being tethered to the stand)

Option 3:
One, Two, or Three flashes on stands triggered with reliable cactus triggers

Option 4:
no flash

Option 5:
reflector

i have a feeling the location is in the shade with blown out background

Assuming outside, in the shade.

1) Sure, easy. Use it as fill.
2) Not worth the bother.
3) Sure, probably the best option if you have time and want the best result. Not sure i'd bother with more than one flash.
4) Sure, if you can get away with it, but the results of 3 will be better.
5) Blinds people, but in the shade might be ok to provide a little fill, but only if needed.

I have a wedding this weekend, conditions will be cloudy, shooting outdoors. For single or couple photos i'll be shooting manual, metered for the people to be half a stop underexposed, with the people lit from about 45 degrees side with a white shoot thru umbrella. This gives you two lights, one being the sun. I might be on ETTL, I might be on radio, depends what works on the day. I might have to alter this if the background is very bright, exposing for the background and lighting the people entirely with flash, though it will still be a white umbrella it will just be closer to the camera than otherwise.

good points

so for the best results....i should go with option 3?
if i do that...i wont be putting umbrellas on them

the shots will be used for ads and such

Yes, if you have the time. How come you're shooting for advertising if you don't know how?

tim wrote in post #6142432
How come you're shooting for advertising if you don't know how?

My guess would be "money."

im not talking about NYC billboard ads..
small time stuff for print

and who said i didnt know how?
i listed options to tackle the project and wanted input from you guys
instead i get bashed...wow

It would be nice if you'd said what the objective of the ad was & how much experience you had in that area & why you thought we could help since you "know how" to do it?
We're always willing to help but you have to give us the tool to work with.

IMO simple is better for general purposes & you should find a better background: Angeline outdoors

option 3.

Here's an example I shot with three lights.

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