Cheap Off Camera Flash Setup for Portraits
I've recently been taking images of work colleagues for a digital yearbook we are putting together and thought I'd share the setup I've been using.
I've been really impressed with just how cheap the setup is which proves that pretty much anyone can put together a setup for portraits that's both inexpensive and highly portable.
I also ran a session at my local camera club recently where I was demo'ing the use of both studio lights and this cheap/portable setup. For the demo I really wanted to do wireless shooting (so the images would appear on my iPad immediately after taking the photo) for everyone to see. After a bit of searching on the Internet, I found a great free app that works with both Nikon and Canon wifi-enabled cameras). I've included the details of the app below too.
My setup consists of:
2 x Yongnuo YN-560 III Flashes
These cost c. £45 each on Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BXA7N6A/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1)
As these flashes have a built in receiver, you only need a single transmitter to fire them (see next item on my list)
2 x Yongnuo RF-603 Wireless Triggers
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A4XBGQA/ref=pe_385721_51767431_TE_dp_1
These cost c. £22 for 2 including a remote control cable too!
I then had a bracket (sorry can't find the link to this) which lets you attach the 2 flashes side by side onto one of these (which costs £5.32)!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YNF3DI/ref=pe_385721_37038051_pe_217191_31005151_3p_M3T1_dp_1
The bracket above was then fixed to a stand pointing into a Bowens brolly (costing about £41):
For less than a couple of hundred pounds you can get the full setup to allow you to shoot studio quality portraits at a fraction of the cost.
The wireless tethering app I mentioned is called 'Helicon Remote' and is available for free on the Apple App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/helicon-remote/id957334044?ls=1&mt=8) or via their website here (http://www.heliconsoft.com/software-downloads/).
Family Album Video
Been doing some more video creations - this time a Marshall family photo album video you can view here:
Busy Day planned for Saturday
Got 2 studio sessions booked in for this Saturday now.
Also now have 500 business cards and a new softbox that connects to my flash.
Hopefully this is everything sorted now and I can get on with actually taking some photos!
Dry Run Setup Day
Going to the studio today for a final cleaning session and to setup everything for a first test.
This will involve putting up my backdrop and light units and then giving it all a test (assuming I have enough extension leads!)
Will also mean I'll need to assemble the softbox with its awkward metal rods that took me 20 minutes to do last time!
Flooring has arrived but won't be down until next week and then all should be set for starting the photography at the end of July/early August if all goes to plan.
The box of props is coming along nicely now too. It currently contains:
- A bubble machine and catchable bubbles.
- Sunglasses.
- Pirate gear (hook, eyepatches, swords etc).
- Multi-coloured gear (skirt, hat, blue hair wig, slinky!, bouncy ball).
- Feather boa and jewellery for the girls.
- Baby props including a very cute knitted frog hat.