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Hello,
I'm at a wedding next weekend, although I have shot many weddings and love it I have been asked to provide a group photo set up later in the evening. I've jumped at the chance as I want to learn something new.
I have (after much research) settled for a Bowens 500/500R Travel kit (Background - not yet purchased). I'm want to use a white background as many people maybe in black suites etc... I know how to meter, but I'm now wondering if you can light (for this instance, Full, half and close up) a white background and subject with two lights (Soft box and umbrella to be precise). Thinking as a back up to just not do the full length for now if this helps my case.
Anyone have any ideas? Helpful comments much appreciated... PS - use a D700, Bowens lighting, Light meter, 2 heads 500, remote flash...
Looking forward to hearing ! I'm searching youtube but no luck so far - any suggestions?
Thank you
have a read here should be of great help to you.
http://www.zarias.com/white-seamless-tutorial-part-1-gear-space/
Gareth
I would suggest your better shooting a mid grey background or just use whats at the location - that would be my preference, keep it simple.
Your better to use your 500's effectively as a main and a fill than using to light a white background and have flat lighting with a speedlite. - you can always use your speedlite behind the group to highlight the background?
You may get groups of 5or 6 may be more? so use the power in the bowens with umbrellas - you'll want F11 at least to get all sharp.
Just my thoughts 
if you are stuck with just two lights, then stick to top half shots too, put one light with an umbrella on the floor behind the group pointing straight at the background, then put the other light above, and in front of you to give the best lighting for the equipment you have. 
Cheers, came to the same conclusion.
Was trying too much and lets face it - So long as they look good I'm sure they wont mind grey or white back ground!
Was thinking of the speed light location but didn't want anyone stepping on it Shall be concentrating on just the 3/4 body shots for now.
PS did you mean f11 metering on the people or back ground?
Thank you Shawry - nice to hear someone else's point of view
White wedding dress against a white background???!!!! - Bride won't thank you for that one!!
No, sorry, they'll be looking for an oppulent setting not a stark white backdrop methinks. The venue will have drapes, a nice fireplace, a stairwell - all better than what you're thinking about - and far easier to light and with a much better final result.
Your groups will ALWAYS be bigger than your setup allows (it's a rule of wedding photography), so better trying to use what you have onsite and make your life easier...
Oh, and by the way - your Bowens setup will mean you'll need a LARGE area all to yourself to use it. We use 2 speedlights and the D700 at ISO 1600 to get f11 for groups and the pics are lovely - and the speedlights and stands have a very small footprint and no trailing wires.
Andy
Quote: White wedding dress against a white background???!!!! - Bride won't thank you for that one!!
No, sorry, they'll be looking for an oppulent setting not a stark white backdrop methinks. The venue will have drapes, a nice fireplace, a stairwell - all better than what you're thinking about - and far easier to light and with a much better final result.
Your groups will ALWAYS be bigger than your setup allows (it's a rule of wedding photography), so better trying to use what you have onsite and make your life easier...
Oh, and by the way - your Bowens setup will mean you'll need a LARGE area all to yourself to use it. We use 2 speedlights and the D700 at ISO 1600 to get f11 for groups and the pics are lovely - and the speedlights and stands have a very small footprint and no trailing wires.
Andy
totally agree.... i use SB-900 and SB-800 on gorilla pods, as they then have no footprint, as they can be put on a windowsill, or hung from a ceiling light
you can if you wish photograph a bride against a white background if you are aware of the pitfalls and the bride likes a "high key" look however really I agree with the others: keep it simple; undoubtedly there will be far better backgrounds at the venue than a plain white backdrop; if you use the latter the group shot could have been taken anywhere and there will no sense of occasion or ambience.
Again I wouldn't rush out and purchase studio gear which is a nuisance to transport and set up, possibly ripe for an inebriated guest to trip over and test the effectiveness of not only the robustness of your gear but also your insurance policy. I would have 3 SB900s available or the Canon or whatever equivalent; also check out the ambient light and if there is enough you can use the ambient light in tandem with flash to ensure the group doesn't obviously look "flashed" with those nasty shadows cranking the ISO up if necessary; I get away with up to 1600 ISOs on modern DSLRs and noise removal software; on my D3S I can go all the way up to 9000 ISO and obtain more than acceptable results.
G'luck, Peter.
Thanks for all the help,
I think its got lost somewhere in translation... Its only a group portrait shots that I'll be taking at the end of the night - (money spinner), group shots, wedding shots all complete by then. This is just in the corner the tent for around two hours after first dance, so everyone can have a pic to remember the event as the bride put it... then I can sell myself in to events to do the same, only want to learn something new (and make a bob or three
Has been interesting reading though
Thanks again
I can almost guarantee that if you're setting up kit like this at the venue they'll want to see some kind of Public Liability insurance to cover you and them in the event of something happening - people tripping over stand legs, walking into your stands and knocking them over etc.
When we setup an area like that at a venue we put up red and white barrier tape and have already faxed the copies of our insurance to the wedding co-ordinator beforehand. I know of some venues up here that just won't let you in unless you have that kind of cover.. worth looking at
Yes, I agree, two lights as the main, and use the speedlite on the highest stop behind the subject, and it will highlight the background as well as give a nice highlight around the edges of peoples heads to give a more interesting group shot, that's if you place the flash in a correct position.
I'm investing in the 500/500R, how is the kit so far? How much was the power pack? Or was it included in the price? thanks for the information.
,
Ryan
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