Lighting a group of 5

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 10:37

Hi all,

I have a shoot coming up this Saturday with 5 girl friends (as in, they are friends that are girls). They want some fun photos of them all together so that they can frame some and give them as Christmas presents to one another.

So, I will have an assistant with me and I'm thinking that for ease of movement and getting different shots quickly, it would be easier if I have my assistant holding a big shoot through umbrella for me (rather than having it on a lightstand).

My question though, will one umbrella be enough to light 5 people? I do have another light if required, and I might have this bare at the back opposite to the umbrella for some rim lighting. But ideally having one light which is held by the person helping me would make my life much easier.

Any thoughts?
Tips on posing 5 people at once would also help

Felix Da Housecat · 3 Nov 2009 at 10:52

Snigger, you do know this thread is going to get loads of TTIUWP and lesbo comments, but hey ho thats ocuk for you.

As for how much light you will need I guess it depends how close/far away they are from each other and how light the room is.

But I'm sure you will be able to get some decent results going by your other shoots.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 10:57

Oh don't worry I'll post the pictures up when I get them, assuming the weather doesn't ruin it all.

I've only ever lit one person though, which is why I am a little concerned. I've only really used a softbox for lighting people, which obviously gives a more concentrated light with less fall off. I'm hoping that by using an umbrella from a fairly front on angle I should get a decent enough light coverage to get them all lit up nicely.

Does my logic sound right?

Willis · 3 Nov 2009 at 11:18

You will really struggle to light 5 people with one flash if you want it done right, you will find lots of dead spot where the flash wont fill, but if its for a bit of fun you might be ok.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 11:23

If I do decide to use my second flash would you suggest going for a cross lighting setup? So one to the right front and one to left front?

Trouble is I have a softbox and a umbrella, the softbox is definitely not big enough to light 5 people. Which is why I was thinking of having the 2nd flash bare at a distance to fill in some of the darker areas.

Unfortunately I'm not a lighting expert so I can't quite picture in my mind how this will work out.

growse · 3 Nov 2009 at 11:36

You've not mentioned what the background will be and where the shadows will end up falling.

As an idea to throw out there, I'd suggest putting the primary flash bare behind you and to one side, zoomed out to cover the area you need. Then I'd crosslight with the second flash on the umbrella just to fill in the gaps. Of course, this may fail spectacularly and give you horrible shadows, but that's how I'm seeing it.

*edit* just re-read, you've got one flash and one light? How bright / wide is the second light?

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 11:40

Sorry, I have two flashes. A Canon 430EX and a 430EZ.

It will be with trees, grass and leaves as a backdrop. Not sure what the weather will be like so I can't comment on that I'm afraid.

Raymond Lin · 3 Nov 2009 at 12:53

You can always adjust the power on the flashes independantly to suit.

Phate · 3 Nov 2009 at 16:19

I would suggest using 2. One either side of you and the camera in the middle. both pointing towards the center of the group. Should light things nicely for you.

Do you want to borrow a brollie?

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 16:21

Thanks Phate, but I should be able to pick one up cheap at the local photography store

Phate · 3 Nov 2009 at 16:24

ScarySquirrel said:
Thanks Phate, but I should be able to pick one up cheap at the local photography store

No worries dude

Let me know if you need one. But firing the flashes into 2 brollies should more then light them up

ScarySquirrel · 3 Nov 2009 at 16:38

Awesome, thanks. I'll stick Helen on one brolly (not literally) and I'll have to move the other when not shooting.

Phate · 3 Nov 2009 at 16:53

ScarySquirrel said:
Awesome, thanks. I'll stick Helen on one brolly (not literally) and I'll have to move the other when not shooting.

Make sure you don't open the brollie when shes on it

JSW · 3 Nov 2009 at 18:16

Depends a lot on how your going to pose your group, are you going to have them running around throwing leaves at each other or get them close together.

I know this is children but this sort of pose you will get away with a single brolly

If your going to have them more active i'd go with 2

themask70 · 3 Nov 2009 at 18:37

I second the idea of using 2 guns with brollies to provide cross lighting asI can imagine it being a tad difficult to light 5 people wel with only one light source. Obviously, this will depend on the space you're shooting in and what, if any, ambient light is available and also will depend on the kind of shots you're after.