Over-powering daylight on a sunny day is next to impossible with just one Speedlite. Using 2 set to the same group allows 2x the power. This is especially needed when you plan to use a light modifier which will cut effective power by as many as 2 f-stops of light at times. In the picture above I had a 2nd Speedlite fitted with a grid on the right between the 2 tree trunks to accent and separate Lianna (see the tell tale highlight edge on her bent arm on the right) Main light Octodome on the left just out of the viewfinder.
In the first part of this post, you might recall I placed 2 Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites inside my Photoflex Octodome.
That served as my main light for the most part.
Where needed I introduced a 3rd 600EX-RT with a grid to use as an accent when I photographed Lianna at a local park.
Since this was the first time I worked with Lianna, I tried to keep the equipment to a minimum.
I wanted to be sure I was talking with her as much as I could instead of fussing with gear.
Gear
I went indoors with Lianna inside the Life Arts Building. But I kept the lighting very simple using just my Octodome with the 2 combined Speedlites. In this particular picture, the Octodome was on the right just outside of the camera frame. . ISO 50 1/90 sec f4 50mm lens.
It really is a delicate balance.
Having too much gear can disrupt the rhythm of a photo shoot.
Not having what is needed might cause you to lose control of the lighting.
Even when I’m working without assistants, like in this case, I bring one light stand.
I find that a necessity since my light placement (with its light modifier) will usually make or break my pictures.
I took advantage of a large window and placed Lianna next to it. I set one of my Speedlites on its little stand with a red gel behind her to separate her from the wall behind her. My Octodome was on the right to fill the shadows cast by the window light. ISO 400 1/125 sec f4 100 mm lens.
On this particular morning, I photographed Lianna in 2 locations because I wanted more variety in our images.
For the indoor images you see here, I only had 1 light stand but I did have one of those little plastic stands for Speedlites.
That allowed me to set my 3rd Speedlite on the ground and stairs and aim my Speedlite where it was needed.
Exposure was similar to the other picture. Here you can see the flash I placed on the ground behind her helping separate her from the background. 1/125 sec @ f4 ISO 400 100 mm lens Canon 5 DMark 2. Octodome on the right to fill the shadows on the right side of her face that is away from the window.
The Octodome was placed on camera left just outside of the frame. ISO 50 1/125sec @ 50mm lens. Canon 5D Mark2
