Portable Lighting Equipment/Techniques - in Homes

[Bill C]

Yes, I did a search in this forum, but didn't find what I was looking for.
I do a lot of volunteer work (portraits) of a youth choir (over 100 young people) ....Because it is quick shooting when I do the portraits, I usually setup basic lighting which is one light in addition to my SB800 with lightsphere. I've been asked by several families to come to their house to take family portraits (for money$$ - yeah! Of course, I don't know how much to ask, but that is a separate problem).... Because the conditions which I'll have to shoot will vary so much, I'd like to come prepared with some basic lighting alternatives.... maybe a monohead with umbrella plus my SB800?? Although I've done some basic lighting setups in a rented studio, I have zero experience in a home environment ..... so, I'm looking for some suggestions as to type of equipment and any techniques/suggestions you may have! (would like to keep costs below $500 if possible, and I'd like to be as portable as possible)
Thanks,
Bill

[Igor]

Bill, I'm no expert either, but can share my limited experience.
One strobe with umbrella plus white reflector (white curtain or like) do the basic job. A flash for backlight would be great too.

[Markytp]

Bill,

I do a phenominal amount of home portrait work, it accounts for approx 40% of all of my portrait sittings. Best bit of advice I can offer is the old thing of K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple Stupid

This is not a reflection on you but on me. The first home sitting I did I took along just about all of my studio equipment only to find I had a fractional more space than a shoe box - it was a nightmare - boy did I look a doofus.

Now I keep it simple. Two 300w studio lights, a reflector and a backdrop. I use one light as the main, the second as either a fill or background light and the reflector to fill in the gaps.

Over your side of the pond you have the added bonus of size availability. In the majority of cases, over there you build OUT where as over here we only have the space to build up. You will in most cases have more space to work with than I do over here, but be prepared to find yourself in some tight situations. I always ask the clients about space availability prior to attending, and always get assured "Oh we got loads of space". Upon arrival I find that i'm in a kitchen cupboard where I can reach out and touch both walls. :)

In these situations it helps to have a good wide angle lens. In the studio I generally shoot with a 50mm or 85mm prime, in Home Vists I switch to an 18-125mm zoom. Otherwise you have to be half hanging out of the window with the client as far away as possible at the other end of the room just to achieve a good decent head and shoulders shot (believe me ..... I've done it!!)

Finally, wear clean socks. I know it sounds silly to point it out, but some people are house proud to the point where they ask you to remove your shoes before entering. Imagine the embarrassment of having Homer Simpson socks on :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I've not been caught out on that one yet but a guy I know once did. Turned up and was asked to remove his shoes and his socks were three days old ...... imagine the look on the face of the client in the resultant photographs, amusing to say the least :)

Hope this helps some.

Mark

[KPRussell]

Bill,

There are certainly many different ways to address this I've found out! Clients can be accross the board and needs of what to bring and their expectations can be too.

That being said ... for backdrop portraits as you've mentioned I've used AlienBee 800's and have been very happy with them.

I do work for a local magazine and paper that I have to do executive portraits onsite for articles quite often.

Some settings might get 3 AlenBee 800s or my traveling favorite is 3 Vivitar 283s if it's a smaller setting. It's amazing what you can pull off with 3 283s using your main flash on a low manual setting as the trigger.

Put 2 of them right and left of you and one as a hair light or background light mattering on the scene.

Instead of a dedicated Boom arm I use one of my Reflector Holders (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=17725&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) (that can attach to a stand) as a makeshift boom arm and just attach a Bogen Quick Clamp (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5192&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) to hold the flash head for the third light.

Take care,

[lightwrangler]

Given your circumstances and budget here's what I'd go with.

2 Vivitar 283(5) flash units
1 Soft white umbrella
1 White sparkle (or silver) umbrella
2 stands with umbrella and flash brackets
1 Photoflex duo reflector (white / silver)
1 stand with clamps for reflector
1 slave
1 PC cord
1 flash meter (optional)

This is very simple and compact. It doesn't have a whole lot of output, but will work. You put a Vivitar on a stand with the silver umbrella (it has more output due to the reflectance), this is your main light. The other is a fill or in some cases a background light. The reflector goes on the opposite side of the main and fills in the shadow. You fire from either flash and slave the other. Setting the flashes on manual and testing will give you distances for your lights from the subject at different fstops. Make a chart, take along a small measuring tape to ensure accuraccy. Check your histogram to fine tune. Or you can employ a flash meter and blow your budget.

The tried and true (and very cheap) Vivitars have enough punch to do the job and are very small. I've seen stunning results from them. If you are looking at buying a more professional lighting kit, here's one that Igor found online;
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-FLASH-STROBES-330W-2-SOFTBOX-3-STANDS-BAG-NEW_W0QQitemZ7607139658QQcategoryZ30087QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

Best of luck,
Adrian

[Igor]

...more professional lighting kit, here's one that Igor found online;
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-FLASH-STROBES-330W-2-SOFTBOX-3-STANDS-BAG-NEW_W0QQitemZ7607139658QQcategoryZ30087QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem
Adrian
Yes, I'm still using it in studio and it works just fine (for a small room of course).
However I won't recommend messing with softboxes for home portrait sessions. Assembling and disassembling them is very long and messy. Umbrellas work best for quick setup. Stands are very light, yet firm and easily set up.