Hi,
Would a couple of speedlite 580IIs and shoot through umbrellas provide enough light for a group of 4 beach portrait in late afternoon/dusk?
I'd appreciate your thoughts. How would you do this?
Thanks
Steady Hand wrote:
Why not use the sunlight?
good question
well....
The sun will be behind them mostly (west coast) and we're thinking some will be more sunset shots actually
A lot will depend on the background you use, time of day and crop of the group photo.
While the sun is up there will be quite a lot of fill bounced into the faces from the sky they are facing and the flash will just need to lift the faces into the range the camera can record them normally, as perceived by eye. If balanced well the user of flash wouldn't even be noticed.
But as the sun sets you loose the fill component from the sky, fall off from the flash will become more evident on the background behind the subjects in a full length shot standing or seated. You can avoid that problem by finding a shooting location where there is no background for the light to hit behind the subjects: sitting or standing on top of a sand dune, on top of coastal cliff, etc. where there is just a void of open space and the sky behind them.
If possible scout for locations in advance at the same time of day you plan to shoot. Bringing along a small step ladder on the shoot is also a good idea in situations where the location puts you below the faces.
