one/two flash portraits

[readysetgo]

Hi, My sister might be coming up on this weekend (if not soon after) so her boyfriend can tile our kitchen and so i've decided since she has some time to spare, i'd pop up the background backdrop in the livingroom and she can be my subject (she got the looks, i got a love of photography hehe).
I have 2 flashes, ( got my 2nd a couple hours ago) i have an umbrella shoot thru.
i figgure when using the white side of the backdrop i will use one flash on the background to blow it out and the other with the umbrella on my sister... i'll have two flashes to aim at my sister when using the black side so... i wonder if anyone could post a one/two flash portrait and how they did it?
the move ideas i have about lighting before "the shoot" the better
thanks from Casey.

[WhoDo]

Here are a couple of YouTube video tutorials on lighting.

1. Single light setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDuwv...eature=related

3. Classic 3-light setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL8mh...layer_embedded

I found these very helpful, especially about substituting reflector cards for lights and using blackout screens to block off unwanted light. There is a whole series on outdoor portraiture, too, which might get the creative juices flowing!

I hope these help you, too!

[Analog6]

Excellent videos tutorials, thanks for the link.

[readysetgo]

Here are a couple of YouTube video tutorials on lighting.

1. Single light setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDuwv...eature=related

3. Classic 3-light setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL8mh...layer_embedded

I found these very helpful, especially about substituting reflector cards for lights and using blackout screens to block off unwanted light. There is a whole series on outdoor portraiture, too, which might get the creative juices flowing!

I hope these help you, too!

Hey, thanks
i really liked the one light one, i looked at some of their other videos and learned about different lighting styles like butterfly ect...thanks so much!
from Casey.

[RamblinR]

What color is your sisters hair?
A dark background using one flash for a rim/hair light might work better.
I don't know that one flash would be enough to blow the background out to white.
Use a reflector for fill (a large piece of white card or a windscreen reflector will work if you don't have one in your kit)
Remember to keep a good distance from the background and if your lens is sharp wide open work with an f/stop starting from around f4 and up to f8. Play with them and see what you like.
Remember to focus on the eye closest to you so single point focusing is best.
Have fun.

[dtrang]

thanks for the links

[bigdazzler]

Here another idea ... Why not do it outside with a nice green backdrop like trees in a park or something, use 1 flash and and your umbrella for key light and the other flash as a hard hair/rim light ?? You can get some great results with this simple setup.

[readysetgo]

What color is your sisters hair?
A dark background using one flash for a rim/hair light might work better.
I don't know that one flash would be enough to blow the background out to white.
Use a reflector for fill (a large piece of white card or a windscreen reflector will work if you don't have one in your kit)
Remember to keep a good distance from the background and if your lens is sharp wide open work with an f/stop starting from around f4 and up to f8. Play with them and see what you like.
Remember to focus on the eye closest to you so single point focusing is best.
Have fun.

Hi, thankyou, her hair is blonde.
oh ok right maybe i should use the black side of the background then...how does someone do "hairlight" with out a defuser for that flash?....i have a 5in1 reflecter with the base being defuser could i have some one hold that infront on the hair light?
thanks again from casey.

[readysetgo]

Here another idea ... Why not do it outside with a nice green backdrop like trees in a park or something, use 1 flash and and your umbrella for key light and the other flash as a hard hair/rim light ?? You can get some great results with this simple setup.

Hey, the main reson i wanted the indoors was i had just brought some new gear and wanted to use it...but... you make a good point, i might do both indoor and outdoors....there is some nice scenery where i live maybe i can use it to my advantage.
thanks from Casey.

[bigdazzler]

You generally dont use a diffuser for hair lights .. they are usually hard light, sometimes with a snoot or grid spot attached.

Pretty basic video here

[readysetgo]

You generally dont use a diffuser for hair lights .. they are usually hard light, sometimes with a snoot or grid spot attached.

Pretty basic video here

Hi, thanks for the video link.