Light modifier suggestions for a four person family shoot?

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daveminnich

Senior Member
I am doing a shoot for some friends and I’m looking for suggestions for light modifiers. The subjects will be a couple and their two children (6 and 9). We will be doing shots of the couple, the kids, each half of the couple alone, and the four of them together. We will be shooting indoors and outdoors. We’ll be doing full length shots as well as tighter shots.
I’m looking for some suggestions for light modifiers touse. I have two speedlights, wireless triggers, and light stands.
Umbrellas – What size?
Softbox – Again, what size?
Any other modifiers I should consider?
Thanks!

 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
daveminnich said:
I actually have one of these. Not entirely sure how useful it would be for this particular assignment. Care to elaborate?


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Gary Fong has a number of YouTube videos that show how it can be used. I have used it off camera in a number of situations and find it works as good of better than umbrellas.
 
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pforsell

Senior Member
daveminnich said:
I actually have one of these. Not entirely sure how useful it would be for this particular assignment. Care to elaborate?


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Probably not useful in the outside shots, depending whether there are white walls or ceilings/awnings that could bounce the light around. Useless under the sky since the light escapes up and about never reflecting back.

If the inside walls or ceilings have a strong color, the bounce flash wont't be ideal and I'd seriously consider portable softboxes or umbrellas.

If the interior color is light and/or white those plastic cups help make the entire room into a large softbox. Oftentimes just bouncing the flash down from a white ceiling is just as good as a plastic cup on the flash, though.

If you are unsure about the surrounding colors and the eligibilty of a bounce flash, bring softboxes and/or umbrellas.

EDIT:
As for the size, I think the whole family shots outside are the most demanding. You'll need to have the lights a bit further back to alleviate the effects of the inverse square law, and further means bigger, and more power. On the other hand if you are just using the lights as fill, then something like a 30 in umbrella sounds adequate.
 
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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
My current favorite is the Wescott Rapid Box. Drop the extra $20, though, and get the reflector plate, it's a must-have.
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Yup, I'll second the Rapid Box, and also offer up the Rapid Strip (pretty sure that's the name) if you need a run light. I love these guys...pack small but very usable. The beauty dish add in that HF mentioned behaves very well too.


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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
daveminnich said:
What real world tangible benefit would a box like that Westcott offer over something like this? The difference in cost is pretty significant, so much so that those funds could buy another speedlight.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tr179_strobies_s_type_speedlight_bracket.html
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All I can say is the Westcott Rapidbox was suggested to me over and over again which is how I came to own one.

It's what I have experience with and what I feel comfortable recommending.
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