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jnickert · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 56 Location: CT

My friend wrote and asked me this...

"Hi Jennifer
I hope all is well with you. I have a couple of questions for you.

I have been asked to take pictures of a girl's Bar Mitzvah. It is all indoors with both formal group pictures, events, and informal.

I think I need a better flash. Did I ask you about that before? I have seen some flash units that have a lot a rig a role attaching it to the camera. I also need one of those flash reflecting card thingy (do not know what they are called) but they are attached to the flash and must bounce off of the flash.

And, finally, I need a beginner's flash kit for indoor photography. What do you think about these products and price? I have a link that I will send you, but it says the following:

Product Information:
SKU: DP-FSPT3KT
MSRP: $499.95
Street price: $374.95
Items sold separately: $785.25
Specifications
Instructions
Photoflex now offers the First Studio line of lighting products designed as quality lighting solutions at affordable prices.

The First Studio Three Light Portrait Kit is an exceptional lighting kit for portraits. This kit includes:
three FirstStar light heads
three FirstStar 250 watt lamps
three 45” silver umbrellas (ADH45)
three 2211 LiteStands

LINK: http://www. photoflex. com/First_Studio_Products/First_Studio_Three_Portrait_Light_
Kit/index. html

So, Jennifer, if you can offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to figure out if taking this job is even plausible. I think with my on-board lighting I would not get the results needed. I have noticed that flash makes shadows behind the object and I don't want that to happen for the formal pictures onsite.

Thanks so much....

Lisa"

I have no idea what to tell her as I have exactly the same questions. Could anyone help us out please. Thank you!

hhltdave5 · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:49 am

From the question it sounds like your friend is asking about two different flash systems, one that just fits on the camera's hot shoe and then a formal studio light setup with stands, umbrellas etc.

For the on camera flash what you get depends on the camera you have. If you have a Nikon then I can suggest the SB600 or SB800. The 800 has the little card reflector thingie she asks about already in the flash and is just pulled out. The 600 does not have this but you can rubber band an index card to the head to deflect the flash.

I am not familar with the flashes for Canon or the other cameras.

For the portrait kit you mentioned the lights seem to be under powered. the 250 watt second power may not be true 250 ws power and may be less and that will reduce the effectiveness for doing large group portraits.

For the formal studio lighting I would check out Alien Bee's, or Flashpoint from Adorama. These are good solid systems that can be bought for a pretty decent price. I would look at lights that have at least 600 true ws power (the Flashpoint lights for this level of power are the 1200's). For studio lighting you will need at least two flash heads (one main and one fill). An additional hair light would also be a great help.

As far as the shadows behind the subject that is simply caused by the light from the flash. You can eliminate this by moving the person away from whatever the background is. Ideally they should be about 6 feet in front of the background. For a flash on camera you can do the same or reduce it by bouncing the flash (off a white ceiling or by using the flash reflector card).

Ideally, when shooting things as a wedding or Bar Mitzvah it is best to have both systems. Use the on camera flash to take the candids and ceremony shots and then the studio lights to do formal portraits. If you can only choose one for shooting something like this then go with the on camera flash because you will not be able or allowed to set up full studio lighting for the ceremony plus it reduces your mobility.

I hope this helps some.

stasvolik · Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 748 Location: Bay Area, CA

Actually, this portrait kit seem to have just 250W continuous lamps, and that seems to be woefully inadequate (their example is a portrait shot at 1/10 s). I personally would really heed Dave's advice about lighting (and I'm thinking about going this route myself...)

Cheers,
Stas.

jnickert · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 56 Location: CT

Great advice. I appreciate the help. I have a Canon digital rebel XT and I am not sure what she is shooting with, just that it is Canon, maybe the XTi? Not sure.

kenk · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 1055

If you use on-camera flash, check out this website for equipment recommendations and techniques. The author is a wedding photographer and has many examples.

http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

Good luck.