Trying to decide. What do you think?

So, I have 3 580EX's (possible a 4th to use) and a 32" 5-in-1 reflector.

I'm trying to decide how I want to set things up and what additional I need to

purchase.

One flash is always on camera for fill which will always (most likely)be the

case.

One flash I use in a medium softbox for main light.

The third I've used for seperation from background or in a head and torso shot

used to white out a background.

I'm trying to figure out how I want to use the third flash and borrowed forth

to white out a background for a group shot.

I've thought about getting silver 30" or 45" umbrella's off set to light the

background.

However, having a room that's only about 10ft wide could cause the umbrella's

and such to be in the picures.

I was thinking of getting a couple of those Photoflex adjustable umbrella's

that can go from round, to square to rectangle which may help with tight

quarters in a pinch.

http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_Products/ADH_30__Silver_Adjustable_Umbrella/i

ndex.html

(FYI: At a later time considering buying 2 AB400's or something to use on the

background for high key).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

If I had the AB400's, I would just use the 7" reflector to hose the background

with light and not use any modifiers.

(Any yes, I am aware of the whole Canon Speedlite's, TTL and mixing strobes.)

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Sorry for the long winded post...

-Mario

Any takers?

-Mario

mario, get a bigger room. what you are trying to do is very tough for small spaces.

I would suggest shooting on white seamless instead of trying to "nuke" the wall behind the people.

ideally, you would have two 580EXs or alien bees off camera, with umbrellas or just one AB pointed at the ceiling, a white seamless background light by another bee, and perhaps a bee on a softbox off to the side for a bit of fill.

good luck. sounds like a tough space!

Thank for your response Conrad!

-Mario

I've worked in room about that size ... but not much smaller :-)

I'd skip all the softboxes and light modifiers in favor of large Foam Core as moveable flats to

bounce off of. In most cases you can set the key and fill lights back near where you are, and

control the intensity and spread with placement ... have a couple of tall narrow black

cardboard flags to control spill. The background can be lit with background light on a low

stand if you're doing mid-thigh or waist up portraits.