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07/14/2011 10:11:36 AM · #1 |
So, as of lately I've been doing some more people picture type stuff. As I've never big huge on it, as I enjoy my nature, I have been enjoying it. I generally don't shoot for anyone except friends and family, but I've been getting asked more often by friends-of-friends and friends-of-family to shoot them (I do enjoy saying I'm shooting people though). This also gives my wife and I something to do together, as she LOVES weddings and making people happy, and she enjoys being my back-up shooter/assistant.
I've been asked to do a wedding and engagement shoot for a couple. We have the engagement shoot planned for this weekend (Wedding in November). Since this is technically my first PAYING gig, I'm taking it a bit more serious than I do with family/friend shoots/weddings, granted I take everything seriously. The shoot on Saturday will consist of a morning shoot, around 8am at the Beach. This will be a few hours, and a few relatively close locations to our starting point. We will then reconvene later that evening, around 6 in Downtown, for some evening shots, followed by some night shots.
I'll be shooting my D7000, the wife might bring the D90 as well. I have 1 SB-600 Flash + the lenses listed in my profile. I'm wondering, if I should get a Diffuser for my flash, and any recommendations for that? Also, any recommendations on Flash/Diffuser info websites would be awesome. As I generally shoot with my flash in TTL, and not manual, might be beneficial to know what to do and when. When would you recommend using a flash diffuser? Also, any other suggestions on things that might be beneficial to bring/buy?
We plan on making a time-line tonight, and we already have a list of pictures, some we like, as well as some the Bride-to-be has requested.
Thanks in advance for any help/advice. |
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07/14/2011 10:26:15 AM · #2 |
You probably wouldn't want to use this for a paying gig, since it seems a little unprofessional, but it works well for portraits and indoor shoots.
//www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/flash-mini-bouncer
I cut another square in the top of mine and have a removable index card. This lets some of the flash also bounce off the ceiling if I choose.
Print it on card stock. Extremely cheap, disposable and useful flash bouncer. |
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07/14/2011 10:29:14 AM · #3 |
I'm not a expert at formal portraits or lighting, so I don't have any specific advice, but here is a good article on How To Build 24 DIY Softboxes. Lots of other similar articles and how to's on that site.
Added: We both steered you to the same site, so take that as a indication that it's a very good resource.
Message edited by author 2011-07-14 10:29:59.
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07/14/2011 10:32:59 AM · #4 |
Here's a more professional looking DIY diffuser that you can print out on card stock.
Message edited by author 2011-07-14 10:34:18.
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07/14/2011 10:46:59 AM · #5 |
| Nice, thanks for the links...I might be able to use one of those for this weekend, will have to go through them. Nonetheless, I'm so going to make a softbox for the house...the cats will LOVE IT! will prevent me from getting all up in their 'grill' taking pics. |
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07/14/2011 02:51:58 PM · #6 |
| For everyday on camera flash diffusion I swear by my Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce. It's light isn't as sweet as the LumiQuest or the Fong Lightsphere stuff, but it fits in my camera bag and adds virtually no bulk to the flash. A tool is no good to you if you left it at home because it is too bulky to fit in what you are willing to carry. |
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07/14/2011 06:35:53 PM · #7 |
I am guessing that the SB600, while a nice unit, will be insufficient for wedding purposes.
I have both the SB600 and the SB800. There is a new SB700, but I am not familiar with its specs in any detail.
For some of the requisite wedding shots, you'll likely need off-camera lighting, with umbrellas. The SB600 can work off-camera, of course, using the Nikon CLS control, but that can be difficult/unreliable in large venues, outdoors, etc. You have to have line of site (or sufficient bounce in a smallish room) from your on-board flash to command/control the SB600.
So, you could get around this with radio triggers. However, you end up having to buy a hotshoe adapter with a sync cord connection, as the SB600 does not have one. Nor does the SB600 have a built in Slave mode.
Plus, you need to consider batteries: you will need a LOT of them to get thru the event. Particularly since the SB600 is not super powerful, so you could end up shooting it at max power a lot of the time in an off-camera-with-umbrella situation. There are external battery packs, but the SB600 does not have the connectors.
You might consider renting some lighting gear, practicing with it. The SB600 on a bracket with your d7000 or your d90 should be useful for the walk around shots, reception stuff. But for the wedding party shots at the church, group shots, it may not meet your needs. Some experimentation well before November should help you see where it fits in well, and where you will need something else. |
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07/14/2011 08:13:36 PM · #8 |
//m.flickr.com/#/photos/grifthorse/5833431279/
I just discovered this. |
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07/14/2011 08:40:03 PM · #9 |
| i just bought an diffuser for $1.99 shipped on ebay :) |
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07/14/2011 10:23:25 PM · #10 |
Crystal light.
Message edited by author 2011-07-14 22:24:36. |
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07/15/2011 02:14:28 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by adigitalromance:
Crystal light. |
Brilliant. ;)
Message edited by author 2011-07-15 14:21:40. |
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