Portrait set up

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Archive 2009 · Portrait set up

MaximusW
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p.1 #1 · Portrait set up

Ok Guys, I have the following gear. but a couple of problems. I have used this set up with a white backdrop already for a photobooth style arrangement and managed to achieve some fairly consistent results. However that was by pure trial and error. I set up each strobe to the left and right forward of the group at just over eye level. I had initially planned to have my sb600 mounted in a softbox as a fill light from the front. Here is the problem

I cant get the SB600 to trigger off of the strobes. It will do it from the on camera mount but this wont fire with the wireless trigger for the strobes?

I have zero budget left now so what is the cheapest way to achieve this??

Also if I can get this set up to work I will move the larger soft box on a strobe to the front for fill and leave the SB600 as back light with the umbrella strobe for the white seamless background I am using.

I am totally new to lighting so would be grateful for any input re sorting this out or setting it up..

Thanks all !!

2 x M series 300w Professional Studio Strobes

2 x Detachable Dish Reflectors (Spill Kill)

2 x 150w Modelling Bulbs

2 x Sync Cords for wired connection

2 x WT806a Pro Series Air Cushioned Light Stands

1 x AC 8 Channel Universal Radio Trigger

1 x 24" x 24" Softbox

1 x 40" SIlver/Black Brolly

Nov 10, 2009 at 10:00 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #2 · Portrait set up

Cross lighting is not the most flattering strategy for groups. See this PDF tutorial LINK. Click the WWW button below for others you may find helpful.

The issue with the SB600 not triggering the studio lights may be due to pre-flash. Try putting it in the hotshoe in manual mode and disable any red-eye prevention. Not very familiar with Nikon flash but I don't think it has a conventional optical trigger which would allow the studio lights to fire it. The Nikon CLS system uses digitally coded pre-flash.

With two studio lights you'd be better off just using them in a key / fill configuration on a med. dark background with subjects in darker clothing because doing white background shots well requires more gear than you have.

Chuck

Nov 10, 2009 at 10:49 PM

MaximusW
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p.1 #3 · Portrait set up

Thanks Chuck

The problem is they all want white background, I think the SB600 is fired on preflash as it has a sensor on the side but as the hotshoe is firing the strobes there is no preflash and the pop up wont pop up.

What else would I need to get this to work? another 300w?? the groups are only 4 small children and family of 3?

I wondered if there was anyway to mount the flash on a wire to my camera and still fire the strobes or would that mean It would not fire the hot shoe??

Nov 10, 2009 at 11:25 PM

HappyCamp
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p.1 #4 · Portrait set up

The SB-600 does NOT have an optical trigger. The receiver it has will work as a remote flash using a Nikon camera if the camera has "Commander mode". Like a Nikon D70, D80, D700 and others. A D40 does not have commander mode.

If you do want it to fire via an optical trigger than you can buy one from FlashZebra. Something like this should work:
http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0129/index.shtml

Nov 10, 2009 at 11:58 PM

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