Need Advice On Lighting T&I

Well a friend and I are shooting action photography at a syncro skating competition and were asked about also doing some team and individual shots as well as the action shots.

I'm looking for advice on how we would light them and what we would have to rent as we do not own any lighting equipment at this time. Just trying to get a feel if this would be doable. We would be taking fairly large group shots of groups of up to 30 people at a time under the lights of the rink in a somewhat darker area.

Some advice on backdrops would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advanced

If your goal is to light an entire arena, that takes an extensive collection of expensive equipment and several hours of work.

The link leads to a story that is ten years old but still revelant.

DC Fan wrote in post #8986601
If your goal is to light an entire arena, that takes an extensive collection of expensive equipment and several hours of work.

The link leads to a story that is ten years old but still revelant.

We aren't planning on lighting the entire arena as that isn't allowed by the club or the USFSA and as you said, is quite expensive and time consuming .

We're only trying to light some staged team shots of large groups of approx. 25 people.

I use umbrellas or softboxes on Alien Bee 1600's for T&I. Sometimes direct flash as well depending on the circumstances...in that case its a 580EX

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #8986776
I use umbrellas or softboxes on Alien Bee 1600's for T&I. Sometimes direct flash as well depending on the circumstances...in that case its a 580EX

Any idea on the cost to rent a set of Alien Bee 1600's with umbrellas for a day?

Also, how well would a pair of 430EXII's or 580EX/EXII's with umbrellas work?

tfd888 wrote in post #8988279
Any idea on the cost to rent a set of Alien Bee 1600's with umbrellas for a day?

I don't know of anywhere that rents AB's. You could probably buy buy some and sell them at very little loss. That would probably end up being cheaper than renting from somewhere that would have to ship them to you.

Where are you located? Maybe someone could point you in the right direction of a place that rents lighting in your area. They don't have to be Alien Bees, any decent strobe will do for T&I.

I think if you need to ask this question than you are most likely going to be in over your head.If you can't figure out what you need to use on your own, then buck up and tell the event organizers you do not feel comfortable doing it.

lensrentals.com rents out AB strobes as well as a few other kits.
A complete non-AB kit is under $100/wk including stands and umbrellas.

Keep in mind that these things involve getting power out to them whereever you're shooting.

2 AB 1600's - $359.95/each
2 13' cushioned stands - $99/each
3 pocket wizards - $295/each
2 Vagabond Portable Power - $299.95/each
2 Umbrellas - $25 (cheap)
2 Softboxes with rings - $129.95/each
Canopy with side shields - $129.99

+ tax though Alien Bees give you a discount the more you order.