Advice for 1st timer trying out indoor studio like shoot

[curley-wurley]

Hi all,

Friend doing a themed party this sat (indoor).
So i suggested bringing down my gears to get some shots.
Gears i have/using:-
D90
1 external flash
light stand + holder
3 in 1 umbrella
Thot of doing like a studio kinda shoot. (Backdrop or curtain background/ set-up lightstand wif umbrella & external flash mounted (slave)/ shoot with built in flash as master flash)

With that, would like to ask some advice from experienced shooters out there.
Are the equipments sufficient to do the kinda shoot i have in mind?
Do i really need a wireless transmitter for the flash?
Do i need to use a softbox instead of an umbrella?
External flash good enough for the kinda shoot?
Is a backdrop necessary?
Any tips on do's n dont's?

Opened to suggestions n advices.

Thank you very much.

 

[Rashkae]

Test it at home first. Then you'll know.

 

[manutd8613]

Best is to have a wireless transmitter for the external flash ... try it at home first.

 

[curley-wurley]

:

Test it at home first. Then you'll know.

Space constrain at home..
will try tho, somewhere else.

Thanks for the advice Rashkae.

 

[duffydufs]

Watch tutorials on Youtube or simply Google it.try searching "The Studio Coach" by John Francois O'Kane. It will really helps

 

[curley-wurley]

Best is to have a wireless transmitter for the external flash ... try it at home first.

bro, u mean try n see fi the ir can work to see if i need a wireless transmitter or u meant sumthin else?

 

[curley-wurley]

Watch tutorials on Youtube or simply Google it.try searching "The Studio Coach" by John Francois O'Kane. It will really helps

Thanks duffydufs, will do it as soon as i reach home tonight..
:thumbsup:

 

[pinholecam]

Test it at home first. Then you'll know.

This is really the best advice.
Just try it out at home 1st.

Here are some things to think about :
1. Use on camera flash to control external flash. Try it at home 1st to make sure it works. Just shoot anything, don't be to anal that you need bkgnd, subject, etc. Just make sure your gear works 1st.
2. Do a google on studio photography basics. Try to copy the basic setup there.

 

[catchlights]

Space constrain at home is not an excuse,
if you stay HDB, can set up at void deck to do test shoot,
the last thing you want is embarrass yourself at the actual shoot.


built in flash as trigger will work,
but you need an alternative way to trigger your flash as backup if possible

 

[curley-wurley]

This is really the best advice.
Just try it out at home 1st.

Here are some things to think about :
1. Use on camera flash to control external flash. Try it at home 1st to make sure it works. Just shoot anything, don't be to anal that you need bkgnd, subject, etc. Just make sure your gear works 1st.
2. Do a google on studio photography basics. Try to copy the basic setup there.

Thanks pinholecam..
all that did not run through my mind, b4 i set up this thread..
thanks to all for the reminder..

 

[curley-wurley]

Space constrain at home is not an excuse,
if you stay HDB, can set up at void deck to do test shoot,
the last thing you want is embarrass yourself at the actual shoot.


built in flash as trigger will work,
but you need an alternative way to trigger your flash as backup if possible

Thanks for the advice catchlights..
n yes i do stay at a hdb, n im not using space constrain at home as an excuse thus the addition sayin of try sumwhere else, possibility of shooting/testing at the lift corridor or under block..

n yes, wouldnt wana embarass myself though jst an informal shoot.

do u mean to consider the wireless transmitter for the external flash when u advised for the alternative way to trigger flash as backup?

 

[J-Chan]

One advice, once you get your light right its all about your subject..

 

[catchlights]

Thanks for the advice catchlights..
n yes i do stay at a hdb, n im not using space constrain at home as an excuse thus the addition sayin of try sumwhere else, possibility of shooting/testing at the lift corridor or under block..

n yes, wouldnt wana embarass myself though jst an informal shoot.

do u mean to consider the wireless transmitter for the external flash when u advised for the alternative way to trigger flash as backup?

my advice is you need to have two ways to trigger your flash, if one failed, you still have an alternative way.

wireless transmitter is good to have, but may not justify if you only use once or twice. it can be radio or IR, depends on whether your ext flash able to support it.

PC sync cord is also another alternative, but more suitable to static set up shot.

you can also use a hotshoe flash mount on camera to act as fill light and trigger, by bounce the light to the ceiling since it is a indoor set up.

hope this help.

 

[zac08]

My reccomendation is to shoot with a mounted flash and keep things as simple as possible.

Unless you have used the setup before and is familiar with the settings involved and the possible work-arounds needed for different scenes and lighting setups, you may spend much time in getting the set-up right instead of taking valuable pictures.

 

[Dream Merchant]

If you want to go ahead with your plan, need to get all the tech details out of the way first, and that means being comfortable with at least TWO methods of triggering, and being equipped for it.

Getting the light right can be as simple or complex as one's abilities allows.

My suggestion?

Doesn't matter if it's on cam or off shoe - either way, KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

Off shoe - just use brolly on one side and reflector fill on the other.

On shoe just use bounce with a touch of fill from a white business card fastened on top of flash.

And don't forget to have FUN! If you're stressing and fumbling around, no subject is going to feel comfortable and assured.

Oh, and shoot in RAW.

All the best!

 

[ed9119]

.... shoot in manual mode

 

[lonarciso]

goodluck and happy shooting!

 

[horizon_grazer]

best to have a lightmeter.. take out a lot guessing for exposure

 

[allenleonhart]

Hi all,

Friend doing a themed party this sat (indoor).
So i suggested bringing down my gears to get some shots.
Gears i have/using:-
D90
1 external flash
light stand + holder
3 in 1 umbrella
Thot of doing like a studio kinda shoot. (Backdrop or curtain background/ set-up lightstand wif umbrella & external flash mounted (slave)/ shoot with built in flash as master flash)

With that, would like to ask some advice from experienced shooters out there.
Are the equipments sufficient to do the kinda shoot i have in mind?
Do i really need a wireless transmitter for the flash?
Do i need to use a softbox instead of an umbrella?
External flash good enough for the kinda shoot?
Is a backdrop necessary?
Any tips on do's n dont's?

Opened to suggestions n advices.

Thank you very much.

well. personally i'm also organising a sch event and its doing a mini studio shoot.

i'm using continuous lighting so its not too different.

u will need abt 3 flashes if u ask me. why 3?

one: lighting up ur background. the worst thing u want is an odd shadow outta nowhere. it looks quite putoffish.

second light: to light up as key light. it will bring out the main details of the person ur shooting.

last one: fill light. use to lessen the harsh shadows.

tats my setup:x

only think i worry for u is tat 1 flash might not be enough

 

[ModelFromTaiwan]

thanks for the info!