Sydney - Senior 2010

my suggestions might be a california sunbounce product of sorts..

http://www.sunbounce.c​om …p?id=swatt_the_​light0&L=1

but that would mean you have to have an assistant..

(didn't mean to bring this to the top again.. lol..)

phamster

I use a (sometimes two) 580 on a lightweight tripod (like the thirty-dollar kind) with a 36-inch Photek Softlighter II, pocket wizards (the old ones), and a Lumeydyne cycler (two second recycle time). The Softlighter II comes with two inserts: one gold which has a really nice warming effect, and one silver one which actually increases the output by a half-stop. The silver one would be my insert of choice in the bright light you were shooting in.

This little set-up is very portable. So much so, that I can grab it with one hand and haul it around during an outdoor shoot. I do have a six-pound sand bag that I use because as I'm sure you know, with any kind of breeze at all, any umbrella will go a sailing, although the Softlighter II has the flat-front diffuser which makes it much much more sturdy in the wind. The last time I used mine , it was a still day so I removed the diffuser, got an extra stop of light because of it, and made some great photos of a senior in very bright conditions.
I just really think this is a great outdoor tool. I have two of these set-ups, and although they're kind of expensive (350+30+65+30+30+450+1​90+190), I feel equipped for the blazing sun and have used them as a pair to shoot outdoor formals.
Also, I've always wanted to shoot in a wheat field and never had the chance.
Chris