Lighting Setup for Two Senior Portrait Sessions

[Steve Paxton]

Using off camera lighting can be challenging, but it also extremely rewarding. Instead of flat, dull lighting, you wind up with much more definition and depth. Coming up with a simple off camera lighting system doesn't have to be expensive either. Both of the setups below are using older Canon flash heads and wireless radio triggers.

In the first setup, I am using a flash head (Canon 580 EX) bounced into an umbrella to provide the main lighting. The light is set to manual mode at 1/2 power. My client was position in the shade; however there was sunlight overhead providing secondary rim lighting on her hair. Although I am using just one strobe, the sun is providing wonderful back lighting. Her light colored hair pops with the sun striking her from overhead. Take a look:





In this second set, the sun was hidden behind a layer of clouds. I used a very similar setup as before, but added a second light (Canon 430 EX) to provide a tiny bit of hair light (it's very subtle). I had the hair light in manual mode powered down to 1/4, zoomed all the way out and fitted with a snoot. This allows me to shoot/aim the light through the trellis and onto her hair without it spilling out and causing odd shadows. As before, the main light is bounced into an umbrella and is position 45 degrees to my client.

[michjo]

Steve, have you used the remote triggering of the 580 EX with the 7D's built in triggering capabilities? Just wondering how well it works.

[Steve Paxton]

Steve, have you used the remote triggering of the 580 EX with the 7D's built in triggering capabilities? Just wondering how well it works.

I haven't used Canon's remote triggering system specifically with the 7D, but I have used with a couple other cameras. I am not that impressed with it. It works, but it's based on line-of sight, which makes it a little wonky to use. The system also doesn't have a great deal of range (which is a smaller issue). Cheap optical triggers are much more reliable than IR systems in my opinion.

I much rather use radio triggers. Right now I am using Elinchrom Skyport radio triggers. I have also used Pocket Wizards. Both work wonderfully. I switched from Pocket Wizard to Elinchrom simply because the Pocket Wizards just kept getting progressively more expensive. The Elinhrom Skyports also have a smaller footprint and profile (they aren't nearly as tall as the Pocket Wizards). Because of their smaller profile, I can leave my Skyport transmitters attached to both my main camera bodies all the time (even stored away in my camera bag).

Although I have never used them, I have read good things about the latest generation of RadioPopper PX triggers. If I weren't already invested in a system, I might take a look at Radio Poppers.

You can find some pretty detailed information about each system here.

[JohnB]

Thanks for the info, Steve. What light stand are you using and where did you get those sand bags? I have a couple ruined umbrellas because I can't get my light stands stabilized on breezy days.

[Steve Paxton]

Thanks for the info, Steve. What light stand are you using and where did you get those sand bags? I have a couple ruined umbrellas because I can't get my light stands stabilized on breezy days.

John, I am using Canon flash heads (a mix of 430 EX, 580 EX and 580 EX II). I have four Canon heads on hand but usually only use two at a time (the other two are backups). I put the bulk of my flash cycles through two 580 EX flash heads. I use the 430 EX for hair/accent lighting. I have blown both of the 580 EXs at least 2 times each in the last two years. It's inevitable after 1000s of cycles - I had one pop last week again. It's partly my fault too - I have my lights on battery packs so they recycle instantly and it's easy to overheat them (by shooting too quickly). I send them in to Canon each time a bulb blows. I have one 580 EX II that I reserve for on-camera flash situations (weddings, etc.). I am a little bummed that the 580 EX IIs are so expensive so I have only purchased one and baby it.

I grabbed the sandbags at a local photography shop - I think they are 5 pounds each. They are just heavy enough to keep my light-stands from falling over in most conditions. I don't worry too much about my umbrellas falling over. I am more concerned about a strobe hitting the pavement from 5-6 feet up. I have had my stands blow over 4-5 times. Fortunately, nothing major has broken yet.

Here's what I am using:

Hakuba PRO TRIPOD CASE (MEDIUM)
Photoflex 30" CONVERTIBLE UMBRELLA (x3)
Impact 6' STAND (BLACK) (inexpensive and light to carry) (x3)
Lumedyne HV TINYCYCLER w/LBW FAST (x3)
Skyport Radio Triggers (2 triggers and 4 receivers)

It all fits in the Hakuba bag.

FYI - I began a thread in the Environmental Portrait group about the gear I carry to most of my portrait session - the first part shows all my gear packed away and ready to carry. The second part (coming soon) will layout all the gear in detail and how it fits into my workflow.