I have a nephew getting married next week in a small, modern church in a distant city. He had a wedding photographer lined up, but it all fell through today. He can't find anyone at this short notice, and asked me to do it. I have done two weddings in the past (12 years ago) on a paid basis, but decided to stay with stock photography. I think I could do it, but I have a few questions. What I have: 25 yr. experience with camera gear including Nikon digital, medium format, large format. I don't have much formal portrait experience at all, but I do have very solid experience with off camera flash. That leads me to my question. I have x8 White Lightning x3200 monolights, x5 Nikon Sb-28 flash, one Nikon SB-900, CyberSyc triggers. I have only used the lights outdoors to light up big stuff, so I only have two portrait umbrellas. I also have x2 Alien Bees B1600 strobes, and x5 vagabond lithium battery packs, and a Minolta flash meter IVf. Assume I know how to use these fairly well. Since I am traveling by plane, I want to keep my kit simple. I'm thinking for lighting of just bringing two SB-28 with umbrellas plus the Sb-900. I do worry this won't be enough power for group shots though. Maybe I should brring the B1600 pair instead, using the SB-900 for reception shots? Camera gear consists of Gitzo 1325 tripod, Nikons D300 & D5100, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR, Rolleiflex MX with 75mm Tessar f3.5 (to shoot some 120 b&w.) Will a pair of SB-28 flash likely do it for me, or would I definitely be better off with the two B1600 even though they are larger to pack along?
Two23 wrote:
I have a nephew getting married next week in a small, modern church in a distant city. He had a wedding photographer lined up, but it all fell through today. He can't find anyone at this short notice, and asked me to do it. I have done two weddings in the past (12 years ago) on a paid basis, but decided to stay with stock photography. I think I could do it, but I have a few questions. What I have: 25 yr. experience with camera gear including Nikon digital, medium format, large format. I don't have much formal portrait experience at all, but I do have very solid experience with off camera flash. That leads me to my question. I have x8 White Lightning x3200 monolights, x5 Nikon Sb-28 flash, one Nikon SB-900, CyberSyc triggers. I have only used the lights outdoors to light up big stuff, so I only have two portrait umbrellas. I also have x2 Alien Bees B1600 strobes, and x5 vagabond lithium battery packs, and a Minolta flash meter IVf. Assume I know how to use these fairly well. Since I am traveling by plane, I want to keep my kit simple. I'm thinking for lighting of just bringing two SB-28 with umbrellas plus the Sb-900. I do worry this won't be enough power for group shots though. Maybe I should brring the B1600 pair instead, using the SB-900 for reception shots? Camera gear consists of Gitzo 1325 tripod, Nikons D300 & D5100, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR, Rolleiflex MX with 75mm Tessar f3.5 (to shoot some 120 b&w.) Will a pair of SB-28 flash likely do it for me, or would I definitely be better off with the two B1600 even though they are larger to pack along?
depending on time of day, conditions and shooting locations you may not even need to use flash for group shots. I would think 3 speedlites with two umbrellas should do the trick and that way you'll be able to travel lighter.
