portrait lighting... possible with tilt/swiveled 420ex bounced off a reflector??

I'm soon going to dabble in the field of studio light, but I'm also thinking what I

can do with my current equipment before spending the bucks for true studio

lighting...

 

I use a D60, 28-135, 100 f/2, & 50 f/1.8, plus a 420ex speedlite. To enter the

realm of portrait photography WITHOUT the on-camera flash look (bounced or

not), I'm wondering how the INEXPENSIVE setup of the 420ex swiveled 90+

degrees, angeled up, and bounced off a reflector would work for a more

dramatic look.

 

what are your opinions? I don't own a reflector; I'm just hypothesizing here. of

course in an ideal world I'd invest in monolights, etc... BUT I don't want to

spend that much... yet. I need to see how serious I'll get into portrait work first,

b/c studio gear can get pricey fast.

 

I'd likely do work in the range of 1/2-body shots to headshots...

 

thanks!

I would advise you to buy a 550EX. This way you'll have an E-TTL fully wireless two-light setup (and you can control the lights' ratio). I've shot portraits using a 550EX and a 420EX -- generally 550EX stays near the camera (off-shoe cord isn't too long) and provides fill bounced off something handy, while the 420EX serves as a main light, usually bounced into an umbrella.