corporate profile

[faisal]

Is my set up of a 430EX mounted on the 400D with a bounce card enough to take shots for a corporate profile which would include taking portraits of the management and possibly a group shots of the team. All will be shot indoors mostly in the conference hall....I'll be using the 50mm f1.8 for the portraits and the 18-200mm for the group shots....

[cdifoto]

I think I'd rather get it off camera, power set manually, and shoot it into an umbrella. You'll want two lights to get an entire group lit up nice, although I think you could make do with just one if you place it only slightly off the camera axis (in other words, a couple feet to camera right or left).

The bigger the umbrella, the more people you can light up, but at the expense of flash oomph due to all the diffusion.

White umbrellas create soft shadows and low contrast but eat up more light than silver umbrellas. Silver umbrellas are more reflective and therefore efficient, but the light is harder and contrast is higher.

[cdifoto]

I forgot to mention...

If it's a small room with white ceilings and walls, you can just bounce off that. I'd probably use a tripod and manual flash settings for consistency. The tripod keeps the camera in the same position for all the shots so that the same power setting results in the same exposures. E-TTL will be fooled too much by different variables in the scene. Makes life harder than it needs to be both during and after the shoot.

By the way...I'm assuming these shots are meant to be formal portraits/groups and not just some quick grab shots.

[faisal]

It'll be conference room with a normal ceiling (10 feet high, max 13 feet) IMO. I'll need to practice with manual as I'm a complete E-TTL guy. What I was thinking was to bounce it off the ceiling with a bounce card to throw some light front. That's usually what my set up is for portraits taken of my niece. It's going to be formal portraits and group shot.

Getting a umbrella is out of question so is off camera flash cause I don't have a cord or a transmitter.....
But just in case I consider some extra lighting will this do....AED 750 = US$204
http://www.souq.com/item.php?id=3039379&item_list=SOuq_adsearch&offset=65&total_hits=72&s_preserve_sort=1&q=s_keyword%3DCanon%26temp_search_id%3D0%26go%3DFi nd%26go%3D1%26page%3D3%26s_preserve_sort%3D1%26sea rch_follow_up%3Dsearch_paging

[cdifoto]

I'd skip that. There are no specifications as far as I can see, and I'm betting it's an underpowered little continuous light. The softbox is extremely small anyway...to the point of being useless for a portrait. (Don't believe the seller...they're just "marketing" the thing. ;))

You can do the ol' bounce w/catchlight card on camera but it won't be as quality as you'd normally want for a formal portrait or group.

[faisal]

I'd skip that. There are no specifications as far as I can see, and I'm betting it's an underpowered little continuous light. The softbox is extremely small anyway...to the point of being useless for a portrait. (Don't believe the seller...they're just "marketing" the thing. ;))

You can do the ol' bounce w/catchlight card on camera but it won't be as quality as you'd normally want for a formal portrait or group.

What do you mean by quality....I've shot casual portraits before and the flash has been adequate to light up the person....would a diffuser with direct flash be better???

I really can't afford anything more right now....this is just a one time/one day thing.....so I want to make do with whatever I have....

EDIT: I do have my dads old Nikon flash...let me see if I can do anything with it....

[faisal]

What about this flash unit.... http://www.souq.com/item.php?id=4056909&item_list=SOuq_adsearch&offset=2&total_hits=90&s_preserve_sort=1&q=s_keyword%3Dflash%26go%3DFind%26go%3D1%26temp_se arch_id%3D1136%26s_preserve_sort%3D1%26no_matching _cats%3D1%26search_follow_up%3Dsearch_cat_nav
AED200 = US$55

[cdifoto]

I guess it all boils down to what they expect and how much they're paying. When I think of corporate headshots/groups, I think of the full studio setup...or at least 2 strobes with soft boxes or umbrellas.

[achuang]

What do you mean by quality....I've shot casual portraits before and the flash has been adequate to light up the person....would a diffuser with direct flash be better???

I really can't afford anything more right now....this is just a one time/one day thing.....so I want to make do with whatever I have....

EDIT: I do have my dads old Nikon flash...let me see if I can do anything with it....

If your dad's old Nikon flash has an optical slave built in then you could use it so long your flash is set on manual as cdi suggested anyway. The only older model nikon that has the optical slave is the SB-26 and the slightly newer SB-80.

[faisal]

my dads old flash does not work.....argh!!!

and I applied for the job stating AED150 per hour ($40 per hour) cause that's how much I had charged the last time....I know that the pros over here charge a lot more but they've got the experience....I'm hoping to earn atleast $200 from this....

[faisal]

I told him about my equipment and this is what he replies

"My friend, I know almost nothing about photography to be honest. I trust your judgment and we just want good pictures to put in the company profile/brochure of our client."

So I took it up....going to meet him on Thursday. Basically I'm charging an hourly rate so I want to know when do I start charging them. I'm going to meet this person at 9 then go with him (take an hour drive) to his clients who's photos I'm required to take.

[24Peter]

I told him about my equipment and this is what he replies

"My friend, I know almost nothing about photography to be honest. I trust your judgment and we just want good pictures to put in the company profile/brochure of our client."

So I took it up....going to meet him on Thursday. Basically I'm charging an hourly rate so I want to know when do I start charging them. I'm going to meet this person at 9 then go with him (take an hour drive) to his clients who's photos I'm required to take.

Faisal - I'm going back to Don's original point: you definitely want to go off camera with your flash for company profiles/brochures - esp if you want to get referrals/repeat business from this client. You can still use your 430EX on camera - just put it in manual mode and point it at the ceiling (use like 1/4 power to start). Then buy a cheap strobe, light stand and white shoot-thru umbrella (as Don points out, two strobes are better than one). The strobe will have an optical slave trigger. However, your 430EX must be in manual mode, since in e-TTL mode, it will fire a preflash which will fool the off camera strobe and it will end up out of sync.

[faisal]

Faisal - I'm going back to Don's original point: you definitely want to go off camera with your flash for company profiles/brochures - esp if you want to get referrals/repeat business from this client. You can still use your 430EX on camera - just put it in manual mode and point it at the ceiling (use like 1/4 power to start). Then buy a cheap strobe, light stand and white shoot-thru umbrella (as Don points out, two strobes are better than one). The strobe will have an optical slave trigger. However, your 430EX must be in manual mode, since in e-TTL mode, it will fire a preflash which will fool the off camera strobe and it will end up out of sync.

Unfortunately peter there is no cheap (for me) strobe, light stand available here. The ones I've found cost about $350 minimum.....so I am stuck with the 430EX for now till I earn that $350 (by this month end mostly).

[faisal]

Got a Quick question...

If I do get a cheap strobe, light stand and white shoot-thru umbrella....with an optical slave trigger....does anyone know of a website for me to know what to do with the wires and stuff...and what to buy (minimum power, voltage etc)

thanks

[24Peter]

Well the only wire is the power cable for the strobe. You'll be using your 430EX as fill light and to trigger the strobe (which BTW should have the optical slave sensor built in). For a small space, a 100-200watt light should be fine. Get a 30+" umbrella and a light stand that is at least 7 ft. You're good to go.
something like this: http://www.adorama.com/LTBF.html?searchinfo=adorama%20budget%20strobe&item_no=14
http://www.adorama.com/LTBSBK22.html?searchinfo=budget%20strobe&item_no=12 softboxes even!

[faisal]

Jin Hui EX II 150 Kit....for $272/-
the sales person said its not compatible with a 400D....would need a trigger worth $270 more....argh....trying to look for a source of information online

there were two stands, with two softbox and flash output if 100W (but I think it was 150W as the model is 150)....not sure about reflectors....

something similar to this http://shashinki.com/shop/jinhui-digital-flash-twin-softbox-studio-light-p-1640.html?manufacturers_id=24&osCsid=b

Here's a picture of it rear.... http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/Test/DSC00092.jpg

[faisal]

Also found these http://www.camerasales.nl/digitale-camera/1131.htm with this http://www.rittz.com/nl/flitsontstekers-ontvangers-en-flitsverloop-adapters/qihe-q-0030-draadloze-flitsontsteker-3.html for $410....unfortunately info is not in english........

Also will this http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/205972449/YS_100_Flash_Trigger.html work with any flash

[24Peter]

Dude - you're making this more complicated than it needs to be: you do NOT need a radio trigger for any of these strobes: put your 430EX in manual mode on a low power setting (1/16-1/32 if you're using two strobes, 1/4-1/8 if you're using one strobe) aim it at the ceiling and it will trigger the external strobe NO PROBLEM (the salesman is correct that the 400D's built-in flash won't work, but that's because there is no manual setting - e-TTL with pre-flash which fools the external strobe only.) (You can always get the radio triggers later is you want a lighter setup - i.e., lose the weight of the 430EX on camera, but it's not required right now.)

As for the kits, the first one is fine - Jin Hui EX II 150 Kit. Get that and they'll think you're a pro!

[faisal]

Dude - you're making this more complicated than it needs to be: you do NOT need a radio trigger for any of these strobes: put your 430EX in manual mode on a low power setting (1/16-1/32 if you're using two strobes, 1/4-1/8 if you're using one strobe) aim it at the ceiling and it will trigger the external strobe NO PROBLEM (the salesman is correct that the 400D's built-in flash won't work, but that's because there is no manual setting - e-TTL with pre-flash which fools the external strobe only.) (You can always get the radio triggers later is you want a lighter setup - i.e., lose the weight of the 430EX on camera, but it's not required right now.)

As for the kits, the first one is fine - Jin Hui EX II 150 Kit. Get that and they'll think you're a pro!

Err....how can I trigger strobes through my 430EX, I thought you could only do it with a 580EX....Am I missing something...??? (Sorry to sound like a newbie but in strobes I am one :o)

Anyway tomorrows job is going to be without the strobes but if I get paid enough I'll buy a pair, will greatly help for my interest in product shots....anyway I want to know when I should start charging the hourly rate from..."I'm going to meet this person at 9 then go with him (take an hour drive) to his clients who's photos I'm required to take."

Thanks

[cdifoto]

Faisal, the actual POP from the 430EX in manual mode (NOT ETTL) will trigger the little optical slave module in studio strobes that have such a feature and set it off for the exposure.

Wireless via ETTL and the little IR beams and all that crap is a whole different beast and has nothing to do with manual optical slaves. You do NOT need a 580EX to trigger the optical slave in a studio strobe...they fire when they see a pulse of light. ETTL sets off TWO flashes, one immediately following the other. That's why you need to get your 430EX in manual mode...the optical slaves cannot tell the difference between a pre-flash and the main flash. They see a flash of light and they go off...and when the 430EX (or any other ETTL flash) is in ETTL mode, they go off on the FIRST flash and aren't recycled in time for the SECOND flash.

[faisal]

OH!!! I get it....Thanks :)
so does this work with all cause the return policy here really sucks...how do I know if the strobe has this feature without asking the sales people cause they know nothing....

[cdifoto]

I would take my flash into the store, turn it on. Then turn on a display model and hit the "test" button on my flash. If the display model fires, it's got a slave in it.

[cdifoto]

BTW that EX II - 150 you have a pic of has a slave in it. That's what the "sensor on/off" button is for. The clear dome thing labeled "sensor" right above that button is the slave sensor.

[faisal]

unfortunately none of the displays are connected...hmm...will need some 'damsel in distress' power (from my girlfriend) to get some sales people to do some useful work.....

[cdifoto]

If you can afford that EX II 150, go for that. It's a safe buy.

[faisal]

If you can afford that EX II 150, go for that. It's a safe buy.

I can afford it...after tomorrows shoot...if I don't mess it up which I doubt I will even with just a 430EX. It can't be harder that a Graduation ceremony... ;)

So the EX II 150 will work with my 430EX....or are you just recommending them out of the options I've given....

Btw....any info about when I should start timing for the hourly rate...when I meet the guy or when I reach the destination with the guy....

[faisal]

Did it today...getting paid $136 for 3 1/2 hours of work.....not much but I've got to go again....so I'm guessing I'll have enough in the end for the strobes....
Didn't need to do any group shots...only portraits and a shot of the building the office is in...

[zmikers]

Cool, I do a bit of work and get paid in meals and beer. Getting paid in actual cash must feel pretty good:p.....You should post some of the pics so we could take a look at the results.

[faisal]

They required me to get a shot of the building....This is one version of it...Panorama of multiple shots....how do I fix the perspective..?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/Others/1-test.jpg

[Nickcanada]

I know Photoshop CS3 can do it.... but I doubt that helps you.....

[faisal]

I know Photoshop CS3 can do it.... but I doubt that helps you.....

I can give it a try....what's the tool called???

Here's a portrait shot of one of the guys....the back ground was that colour (the wall in the office), just there was slight light fall over the edges so I coloured the whole background a unified colour that was the same as the original and removed any shadows created...(though I wish the guy wasn't wearing white)....

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/Others/IMG_8027.jpg

Let me know if the shot is too bright cause maybe my monitor needs to be re-calibrated....

[Nickcanada]

It's in, filters>lens correction, then that brings you up into a window where you can adjust barrel distortion, perspective, vignetting, etc. I don't know if it will work with your stiched image though, you could try correcting each image separately and then stitch the corrected images together. Keep in mind the image will have to be cropped as you make this adjustment, sorta like adjusting the horizon.


That portrait looks good.

[faisal]

It's in, filters>lens correction, then that brings you up into a window where you can adjust barrel distortion, perspective, vignetting, etc. I don't know if it will work with your stiched image though, you could try correcting each image separately and then stitch the corrected images together. Keep in mind the image will have to be cropped as you make this adjustment, sorta like adjusting the horizon.


That portrait looks good.

I don't have that option in filters...What version of CS3 do you have??

I was playing around with the different transform modes and ended up getting this with the Warp option....

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/Others/1-test3.jpg

Seems good to me....what do you think...

The portrait...well some of my friends are saying the white shirt is just too white....

[Nickcanada]

It should be there in any version, I know it was there in CS2. It might not be selectable in your current image mode, try converting it to an 8 bit image and check again.

[24Peter]

faisal - the portrait looks good (though you may want to deliver a tighter crop - i.e., head & shoulders). As for the building, it's "perspective" in the Transform tool.

[Nickcanada]

Ooops I just remembered it's Filters> distortion> lens correction.

[FLiPMaRC]

LOL ... I have the same Burberry tie :D :p

[faisal]

faisal - the portrait looks good (though you may want to deliver a tighter crop - i.e., head & shoulders). As for the building, it's "perspective" in the Transform tool.

The Portrait was just a test crop....I'll be giving them a crop according to what they need...
Perspective tool isn't working for me as I want it to ...the warp tool seems to do exactly what I need....


Ooops I just remembered it's Filters> distortion> lens correction.

The distortion tools tries to remove distortion from all sides which messes things up though the CA removing options is exactly what I was looking for...thanks....

[Nickcanada]

The Portrait was just a test crop....I'll be giving them a crop according to what they need...
Perspective tool isn't working for me as I want it to ...the warp tool seems to do exactly what I need....



The distortion tools tries to remove distortion from all sides which messes things up though the CA removing options is exactly what I was looking for...thanks....

I have a feeling it's because you are trying to fix a stitched photo. It works better on a single image. I'm glad I could help with the CA though. :)

[faisal]

I have a feeling it's because you are trying to fix a stitched photo. It works better on a single image. I'm glad I could help with the CA though. :)

I'm too lazy to fix all the shots individually and stitch them up again... :o
So right now I'm happy with the warp tool....

the CA tool was great help, my Sigma was producing too much CA in the bright sunlight...weirdly!!!

[Zoinac]

Faisal, if you are willing to re-try the pano. In cs3 go to automate photomerge. I there you can do auto, or perspective those usually will adjust the perspective to match. It's worth a try at least.

[faisal]

Faisal, if you are willing to re-try the pano. In cs3 go to automate photomerge. I there you can do auto, or perspective those usually will adjust the perspective to match. It's worth a try at least.

I didn't think of that....Thanks a lot:D

[faisal]

got another opportunity...here are the details...

"So we would need you for the 3rd November for 8 hours to take pictures of the 4 building sites in Dubai and some images of our partners inside of a contract signing. I think we require 100 images so that we can use circa 15-20 images for our story. Also we need the copyrights of the pictures."

What I understand is they require shots with their copyright, as in they can use it at their own pleasure wherever they want. I have no control over it. But what does images of contract signing mean??? Is it something like taking shots of two people signing a contract....

Also thinking of charging $50 per hour equalling $400...how does that measure up to what people charge on this forum keeping in mind my limited kit and experience...

Thanks...

[faisal]

Wondering if this shot (a 3 shot panorama) looks fine. Did fix the perspective to an extent but if I tried tweaking it any more, it would get messed up....

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/400D/Truck_Panorama.jpg

[Zoinac]

I would think that yes, they are referring to people signing a contract.

I like the truck shot, the perspective looks just fine to me. But, I would clone out that light pole above the cab. :D otherwise, great job.

[talkingdog]

The last 2 axles on the trailer look like the wheels are turned slightly, the rear more than the center. The bumper also looks like the left side is to far forward