Advice needed for family portrait.

Gonetae

Gonetae

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Tommy
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Hi folks, I'm going along to a ruby wedding anniversary next weekend and have been asked to take my camera along to take a couple of pics of the couple and their son and daughter for the purpose of getting large prints made.

I have explained that I'm not really into portraiture but they are happy for me to come along and just do my best however lacking that may be :)
I am very concerned that my flash(es) won't be up to it though. I have a couple of Jessops 300D flashguns and my onboard flash on the 400D and would like some advice if possible on how best to make use of them to get a nice shot for the couple.

Before anyone asks, no I'm not getting paid just doing it as a wee favour. ;)

Tommy.
 
To be honest, I would try to find a nice area outside of the venue and do them with available light (Its light until about 9.30pm at the moment). Its very difficult to suggest how to use your flashguns as without knowing the venue (ceiling height, wall colour etc) anything would just be conjecture.

If you are taking candids then one of the guns placed on the camera will work although it would be worth buying/making some sort of bounce card or diffuser (search the forum I am sure I saw plans for one on here that would be good), this will help prevent redeye and soften the shadows.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Ed, I was hoping to be able to bounce my flash off the ceiling of the place but it seems as though it's a ballroom type place so I'm expecting very high ceilings unfortunately. Good idea about trying a shot outside though. I'll get up there a wee bit earlier and have a scout around the venue to see what I can find that may be suitable. :thumbs:

I'm going to try and pick up a Stofen style diffuser from Ebay this week and see if I can modify it to fit my Jessops flashes and hope that will help a bit.

Tommy.
 
difuser or get a piece of 6x4 photocard, fold it in have, and use a laggy band to strap it to your flash as a back board with the flash pointed up towards the ceiling.
then get a mate/friend/partner and practise with a few shots
you'll be surprised how much easier the light is to handle.
you kit should be fine, shoot in adobe colour space for printing purposes ( I could be wrong on this) and raw + jpg so you have all the options at your disposal
 
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