What equipment for black tie events & baby pics ?

Natalie_B

Natalie_B

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Hi all
I was wondering what equipment I would need for taking pictures at black tiE events and also of babies ?
Of course a couple of god background (but which is best, paper or muslin) and props for supporting them (babies) but what about lighting ?

Would an on the camera flash be good enough or will i need a bigger set up ??

Thanks in advance
Nat x
 
Hi Natalie,

For the black tie event, the built-in flash is almost always the poorest choice. Borrow or buy a dedicated flash unit if possible. Built-in flash will result in washed out colours and probably red-eye. A dedicated flash can be bounced off walls/ceilings and or diffused.

For the babies, assuming you will be shooting in their homes and not a studio - natural light is often very flattering (not to mention cheaper). If possible, set up your props near a large window / patio doors and use a reflector to bounce some light back. There are a couple of people on here who specialise in baby photography - happysmee is one I think. She might be able to help you out with some info if you ask nicely :)
 
I agree you need more than the built-in flash.

Some black-tie events also like a more formal set-up with a couple of studio lights.

It's worth considering as you would probably get much more sales from that.


Tim
www.timothycook.co.uk
 
Natalie_B said:
Sorry, i did mean a flash unit rather than umberellas ?
Thanks -
Click to expand...

The last black tie thing I went to, the photographer had a huuuge backdrop set up, and 2 studio lights (one each about a third of the way along) and unbrellas mounted about 8' in the air. That supplied all the light necessary, then he stoodin between them, fired them off with pocketwizards, and the shots came out of the camera pretty much ready to be sold. It looked reasonably expensive and probably took a bit of time setting up, but then people came in, he fired off a shot or two, then the next group came in. So longer to set up, but very fast turnaround.

Is this the kind of thing you're after, or are you going to be walking around taking shots?

Chris
 
I've been trying out the Nikon CLS system which utilises flash-guns used off-camera...
Now I'm new to this as I've always used a multi-Bowens studio set-up in the past when I've needed to do studio work, but I reckon results equal to the Bowens can be achived with a little practice in most cases...especially for baby-shots and Black-Tie events...

Three flash-guns (maybe with another acting as master on-camera) and some light stands and brollys would be a good place to start...
I'm sure if you go and talk to the 'Strobists' in the lighting section, there'll be lots more advice - as I say I'm only just starting to get to grips with this concept myself...

It would also be far more compact than a full-on multi-head studio light set-up...
 
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