Lighting Without Lighting Equipment

[rlriii13]

My wife and I were asked to shoot the annual portrait for a family of about 20 people. We are reluctant to get into sourcing the light for such a large group of people and are heavily leaning toward natural light somewhere in the outdoors. Given an open-ended assignment like this, what would you do for lighting such a large group? Open shade in a park somewhere? If the weather doesn't cooperate, what would be a good backup plan? I was thinking of a pavilion, but that could be pretty dark if it's a very rainy day.

Also, from what I know, a simple fill flash would help expose faces, but what kind of power would we need for this size group? I'm thinking that a 320EX is too weak to even have an effect.

[Jayson]

I would try shooting that in open shade. That is a ton of people to try and light with flashes. I did it a while back, but that was using two speedlights with large umbrellas in a white walled room. I still had a tough time with it. If you are looking for something to assist in lighting in the shade, you could get a huge reflector. I just purchased this one (http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Reflector-Premium-Collapsible-Diffuser/dp/B003Y2EOBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341859459&sr=8-1&keywords=large+reflector) for a family shoot outside in a couple weeks. I actually just used it for a white background on a headshot yesterday...works pretty well! If weather doesn't cooperate, I would see about rescheduling for another time then trying to find something indoors.

[rlriii13]

Thanks Jayson. So if I did use a large reflector, would it need to be elevated considerably? It would be hard for someone standing on the ground to hold it up in such a way that illuminates the entire group, wouldn't it?

[Jayson]

You are correct on the height of the reflector, so maybe that wouldn't be feasible for this situation. I didn't really think of that at first. I would just try to get a nice day with plenty of open shade and you should be fine.

[rlriii13]

In a quick search, I found these two threads, which are helpful.

http://photo.net/portraits-and-fashion-photography-forum/00WaBm

http://photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00HFkS

[rlriii13]

Seeing the family portrait question in another thread reminded me about this. I'll give it one more bump to see if there is any more advice.

[Sean Setters]

For this, open shade is a great suggestion. Otherwise, an on-camera flash for fill is certainly a good idea (although for that size of a group, you'd need something more powerful than the flash you mentioned).

[rlriii13]

What would you recommend Sean? I know you've probably got two of whatever it is I need. Maybe I'll just swing by your house and do a little shopping. Do you charge out of state tax?

[Scott Stephen]

Run down to Home Depot, Lowes or your local building supply store and grab some foil-backed (reclective) insulation board. Something like this: http://www.specjm.com/products/foamboards/APFoil-FacedPolyisocyanurateFoamSheathing.asp

Not saying that exact brand is especially good; just whatever is carried by your local building supply store.

These have the dual attraction of being:
1.) Dirt cheap, at under 10 bucks a piece, and
2.) ENORMOUS, at a standard 4' x 8' size.

They are not $75.00 to $100.00 and up, as a collapsible reflector of that size would cost. You could get 2 sheets for next to nothing, then trash them, or keep them. If you cut them in half, then duct-tape them back together like a book, they can stand up on their own when just slightly folded, and then they store a lot easier folded up too.

[rlriii13]

Thanks Scott, that's an interesting idea. I'd still need to find a way to elevate it, but that's a problem with a regular collapsible reflector too.