alien bees, flashes, speedlights, umbrellas, HELP

lizzard_nyc

Be patient with me I need help.
Up to now I have shot only in available light. Up until recently I shot using my Oly E620 with my 50mm f2.0 or the kit lenses.
I now have a Canon 5D:ivar w/ 50mm 1.4! I've used this the most with low light situations and I've been beyond thrilled with the results, but I've used it for recording family moments and some candid portraits.

I have a friend who owns a hair salon who wants me to take photos of models she will do up for her facebook page. Now anything is better than what she has now which has been shots taken with cell phone and a couple of SPs I uploaded to her FB account after she did my hair and make up.

Long story short, I told her I only do available light and she said she has seen my portraits etc. and wants me to do this. My guess it's not her concern what light I shoot with as long as she likes the results.
More importantly she is a lucrative contact--she is a neighborhood hair salon owner with tons of contacts.

I have one month! to either buy a flash, alien bee, etc. I don't think it's enough time to learn to use it properly. But if I get one, should it be for the Olympus or the Canon (which is already awesome in low light). I need something simple, I don't think I ever want to carry several stands, umbrellas etc. I don't think that's the route I want. How to start please? Any directions.

Worse comes to worse I will take the models outdoors and shoot them with a urban street background (it's a pretty street). But I think it's time I dove into the flash world.

Mods--If this is not the right forum, please feel free to move me to the long-winded forum.

Thank you in advance,
Liz

divamum

1. www.strobist.com, "Lighting 101" (aka everything you ever wanted to know about lighting but were afraid to ask)
2. www.planetneil.com (how to get glorious results with bounced flash and nothing else)

My guess is that with only a month to get to grips with this (while, you know, working fulltime and dealing with two kids!), that bounced flash may be the way to go, but no harm in reading up at Strobist as well.

Have a read through those, then come back and ask more questions. It will give you some insight into what questions to ask

lizzard_nyc

divamum wrote: »

1. www.strobist.com, "Lighting 101" (aka everything you ever wanted to know about lighting but were afraid to ask)
2. www.planetneil.com (how to get glorious results with bounced flash and nothing else)

My guess is that with only a month to get to grips with this (while, you know, working fulltime and dealing with two kids!), that bounced flash may be the way to go, but no harm in reading up at Strobist as well.

Have a read through those, then come back and ask more questions. It will give you some insight into what questions to ask

Thank you for the two links Divamum:)
I was struggling not to use words like "thingy" and "doohickie".
I will go to the bounced flash first.
I don't think a month is enough time either.

ziggy53

I believe that your Olympus E-620 supports Olympus wireless and can act as master/controller/commander. If you purchase an external Olympus flash make sure it is an "R" series as those support Olympus wireless, in my understanding.

The advantage of using an Olympus wireless system is that you can set flash ratios from your camera. A disadvantage is that it is optical based and line-of-sight.

I would recommend Olympus FL-50R and then add some simple DIY modifiers that allow you to use the flash on the camera or off-camera.

... or ... you could purchase 2 - Sigma EF 610 DG Super flashes in Canon mount (and using Canon wireless) to use with your Canon 5D. The 2 Sigma flashes will cost a bit more but the extra light power is worth it, IMO. Again, you need to add some simple and cheap DIY flash modifiers for best results.

The modifiers that I use and recommend (for either the Olympus or the Sigma flashes) are:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Joe Demb also makes an interesting device for sale (reasonable):

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

I own a FlipIt product and it works well and is very well made.

A site showing various modifiers in use:

http://www.the-meissners.org/2006-small-albums/2006-flashmod/index.html

The scoop design is my preferred flash modifier by far.

divamum

Oh yeah, order one of the ebay 5-in-1 reflectors now. In fact, order a bigger and a smaller one. You'll need them, and they're cheap (and if they're from China can take 2-3 weeks to arrive, so probably best to order now!).

Also consider finding somebody to be your assistant for the shoot - holding reflectors, flashes etc etc etc. Plus just helpful to have some moral support!

angevin1

lizzard_nyc wrote: »

Be patient with me I need help.
Up to now I have shot only in available light. Up until recently I shot using my Oly E620 with my 50mm f2.0 or the kit lenses.
I now have a Canon 5D:ivar w/ 50mm 1.4! I've used this the most with low light situations and I've been beyond thrilled with the results, but I've used it for recording family moments and some candid portraits.

I have a friend who owns a hair salon who wants me to take photos of models she will do up for her facebook page. Now anything is better than what she has now which has been shots taken with cell phone and a couple of SPs I uploaded to her FB account after she did my hair and make up.

Long story short, I told her I only do available light and she said she has seen my portraits etc. and wants me to do this. My guess it's not her concern what light I shoot with as long as she likes the results.
More importantly she is a lucrative contact--she is a neighborhood hair salon owner with tons of contacts.

I have one month! to either buy a flash, alien bee, etc. I don't think it's enough time to learn to use it properly. But if I get one, should it be for the Olympus or the Canon (which is already awesome in low light). I need something simple, I don't think I ever want to carry several stands, umbrellas etc. I don't think that's the route I want. How to start please? Any directions.

Worse comes to worse I will take the models outdoors and shoot them with a urban street background (it's a pretty street). But I think it's time I dove into the flash world.

Mods--If this is not the right forum, please feel free to move me to the long-winded forum.

Thank you in advance,
Liz

I've seen your work Liz, esp. your street work. And your style/choices are very nice indeed.

Shooting them outdoors with a Bg of sorts would be okay. I know your efforts would be well done.

But, if this gal is wanting up-do and all sorts of hairstyles, then I think a fashion type lighting arrangement would work best. And for my 2cents, I think that is the easiest to pull off.

Thereis enough time to learn this set up IMO.

Hackbone Started a Pull-Back thread in the People forum, it helps with lots of setups. Mine is on this page. And though my model is on the floor, that set up and flash style is a fashion style of lighting. One flash is all that is really needed, and preferably a Umbrella or in my case I love the Softlighter 60". Some fill can be added with a White Sheet on the floor at their feet or a reflector.

Like below



No. Not suggesting you ask them to lay down, though you can then do anything you want with the hair pretty easily. Just the style of lighting and one flash with reflector. You actually do not need a fill.

lizzard_nyc

Thank you everybody.
Forgive the late reply, I"m usually much better at responding.
I have read all of your advise. I appreciate all the input.
Thank you. It's time to dive in and learn a little lighting.

I will reread the pull back thread and I am heading to Adorama this week.

thanks again.

Art Scott

Glamour and Fashion Photog, the late Peter Gowland, shot lots of outdoor session with only reflectors and lot without even reflectors just utilizing the light he had....for this you could get by with a couple of large reflectors and a couple of assistants to hold them.....I would seriously think about at least Alien Bee 800's (min 2) for the near future though.....they will work with Oly or canon or Nikon without any really special adapters.... :~}}

BradfordBenn

Just as an aside. Have you thought about renting instead of purchasing? Seeing what you like before you buy? I think in NYC you might be able to rent something.