Shooting with SB-800 + SB-600

[King Kong]

Hi All, I need to take an indoor group photo for about 20 persons. I am thinking of using a 2nd flash to get better results. Any idea where should I position the 2nd flash... I was thinking of positioning it behind the group. In this way, it will cut down the shadow and create a lighting line on the hairline for the subjects. BTW both flashs can have either diffuser or bounce card. Welcome any suggestion by all Clubsnappers. Thanks.

[lukesky]

how u gona line the 20 ppl? in 1 straight line? 2 rows? 5 rows of 4? makes a lot of difference u know..

1 straight line i think ur flash wont be wide enuf to cover the whole row.. if 5 rows of 4, then the back row needs to be elevated, or u shoot them from a high angle. If high angle then yr hair light theory won't work.

[groupwest]

A single flash at front/side front wont light up all 20 people. The max you can line up the people is probably 3 rows. 4 rows already feels 'funny', unless you use the lying down pose. if you line up 3 rows, u may end up with approx 6 or 7 people across. this is too wide for a single flash. You are better of with sb800 in the left and sb600 at the right. You really need one more flash for backgrnd.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by King Kong Hi All, I need to take an indoor group photo for about 20 persons. I am thinking of using a 2nd flash to get better results. Any idea where should I position the 2nd flash... I was thinking of positioning it behind the group. In this way, it will cut down the shadow and create a lighting line on the hairline for the subjects. BTW both flashs can have either diffuser or bounce card. Welcome any suggestion by all Clubsnappers. Thanks.

With such an idea, you may do better with 3 flashes. 2 in front on each side and 1 at the rear for the backlighting.

[chngpe01]

One SB 800 is enough. This is shot wih one SB 800 and printed onto S8R without any problem. It depends on the setting and indoor lighting


D3
ISO 3200
1/40s, f8
24mm - 70mm f2.8
1 x SB 800 TTL, no bounce card, light sphere, or diffuser etc just straight on.

Camera on tripod

[sibeion]

Impressive what 1 little SB800 can do.

[zac08]

The lighting in the room was pretty sufficient already and with a ISO of 3200, the flash should only be doing a job of fill-flash to get catchlights and even out the ambient lighting.

[King Kong]

Originally Posted by lukesky how u gona line the 20 ppl? in 1 straight line? 2 rows? 5 rows of 4? makes a lot of difference u know.. 1 straight line i think ur flash wont be wide enuf to cover the whole row.. if 5 rows of 4, then the back row needs to be elevated, or u shoot them from a high angle. If high angle then yr hair light theory won't work.

Thanks for your posting. It should be 2 row of 10. As this will be at someone's house, studio lighting is out of the question... Just have to make do with what I have!

[King Kong]

Originally Posted by chngpe01 One SB 800 is enough. This is shot wih one SB 800 and printed onto S8R without any problem. It depends on the setting and indoor lighting D3 ISO 3200 1/40s, f8 24mm - 70mm f2.8 1 x SB 800 TTL, no bounce card, light sphere, or diffuser etc just straight on. Camera on tripod

Wow! I am impress!! I think this could also due to D3 and the ISO3200. My D300 probably can only go for ISO800 with a clean shot!

[sloth]

I lit an entire lecture theater of approx. 150 people on a similar equivalent to your SB800 and 600 flashes (one each). Bounced into the ceiling to provide adequate coverage. Available light was terrible so I set shutter speeds high, f/5.6 at 24mm on FF, ISO 800 or thereabouts.

The flashes I used are roughly the same in power as SB800/600, so I think 20 people should be no problem.

Flashes were positioned right and left. If your flashes are of different maximum power, make sure the lighting looks even - take a few test shots before the guests come in if you have to.

[chanjyj]

Shot with D80 and 17-55mm f/2.8
Aperture: f/8
Speed: 1/60s
ISO: 1600



Shot with D80 and 17-55mm f/2.8
Aperture: f/8
Speed: 1/60s
ISO: 1600


For first shot, ceiling 2 stories high, SB 800 bounced at max power, exposure spot on

For second shot, ceiling 3 stories high, SB 800 bounced at 70 degrees, max power, slightly underexposed, levels brought up in photoshop.

[King Kong]

Originally Posted by chanjyj Shot with D80 and 17-55mm f/2.8 Aperture: f/8 Speed: 1/60s ISO: 1600 Shot with D80 and 17-55mm f/2.8 Aperture: f/8 Speed: 1/60s ISO: 1600 For first shot, ceiling 2 stories high, SB 800 bounced at max power, exposure spot on For second shot, ceiling 3 stories high, SB 800 bounced at 70 degrees, max power, slightly underexposed, levels brought up in photoshop.

Hi Chanjoel, Thank you for your post. I find both pictures slightly underexposed. Have you tried SB 800 direct instead of bouncing? Do you have any Diffuser or Flip-It Card? I think a Flip-It Card will be best in your situation.

[chanjyj]

Originally Posted by King Kong Hi chanjyj, Thank you for your post. I find both pictures slightly underexposed. Have you tried SB 800 direct instead of bouncing? Do you have any Diffuser or Flip-It Card? I think a Flip-It Card will be best in your situation.

SB-800 direct for the 1st pic will be abit awkward as the light MAY cast a shadow on the wall behind it. I am not sure if the group is large enough to "wrap around the light".

SB-800 direct for the 2nd pic will result in the 1st and 2nd rows being visibly brighter that the back rows - not good at all.

To be frank (and not trying to offend anyone who use the following devices) I find these diffusers, bouncers etc pretty much useless. Maybe they do provide slightly better image quality, but their price does not justify its worth to me hence I do not use them.

If I wanted to use a bounce card I would have used the SB-800's inbuilt bounce card, but I prefer the look of lighting coming from 1 direction - the ceiling. I rarely use the inbuilt bounce card unless the lighting forces me to do so.

[photobum]

Problem solved.