lighting set up for a beauty pageant

[sldi]

I shot a beauty pageant this weekend and the results from a flash on a bracket on the camera were "ok" but not "exceptional". I have another local coming up next week, and then a statewide in June and I at least want the statewide to be exceptional. I can use lightstands and umbrellas at the event, so using the studio flash could be used, but since the subjects are going to be moving around a stage that is approx 32 wide by 12 deep, it is my my belief that ETTL is going to be needed to maintain proper exposure?

the ceiling is about 18ft high and light colored, I did a few bounce flash shots of the judges and they were OK, but showed shadowing under the eyes. Is it possible to combine bouncing the studios to bring up the light levels and ETTL on camera to highlight the subject? Would 580's in small softboxes on the stands and STE-2 on camera make for a better shot. can the 580's be powered thru something other than there batteries, like off the 120 volt, because the event is ALL day for two days.

[WarrenG]

John,

You do not need ETTL to get correct exposures, moving subjects or not. Proper exposure skills come from practice, so you need to look at what your doing with your manual set-up. Manual flash assures you CONSISTENT exposures for every frame, whereas you may not be able to achieve that with ETTL since the camera is helping to decide what the setting should be.

There is a lot of important information missing including how far the subjects are from the light source? This will help you determine how much power you need and what aperture you want to be shooting at. Can you light the space with 580's? Sure, assuming you have enough... but it may not be the right tool for the job.

Try posting a photo from the event so we can see what your dealing with. Make sure you have the full exif data in it.

W

[todd_a]

Man, definitely need more info about the venue. I get that the stage area is 32x12, but where can you place the light stands? Just on the corners? Or possibly something around the center of the width?

Also, what is the ambient like looking like in there? Would you need to use full power on the 580 flashes to light each time? or could you get away with 1/2 or 1/4 power? The less power , the long you can go on the batteries.

I don't know if those have a provision for an external power source that you could plug in, but you could get backup sets of batteries and have them charging while the others are being used, or possibly a third set. Depends on the power level as to how long you could go between battery swaps.

A couple of studio lights would probably be a safer bet with more power and the ability to plug into the outlet and not rely on batteries for that long period of time.

And definitely post up some pics of the beauty contestants... I mean the venue. ;)

[BenE]

Originally Posted by todd_a

Man, definitely need more info about the venue. I get that the stage area is 32x12, but where can you place the light stands? Just on the corners? Or possibly something around the center of the width?

=======

I was wondering the same thing about where the stands would be? I used to photograph pageants, and they never allowed any stands on the stage or runway. At the Miss Texas Pageant, all the photographers only use flash on camera, or available light.

I would be very reluctant to place any light stands on a stage because of the safety issue.

[sldi]

It is a T shaped stage with the top of the T at the back and a runway up the middle. I could place stands 5 or 6 feet out from the bottom corners of the T, but that would either blow out the front and light the back or too dark in back and ok up front, unless I constantly go between a couple F stops.

I really think I am going to need to stay with something on my flash bracket and just get a bigger diffuser

[SpeedRacerSlots]

Agree with the rest, need more details, along with what ISO, Shutter and f-stop you are trying to run. (Assuming you are running full manual, and not relying on metering for P, A, Tv or Av mode.)

I shoot a lot of theatre and run exclusively available light in there, because the stage lights can create more than enough light to run a shutter speed above 1/160 @ f4 to f8 (depending on the scene).
Most theatres can be shot around 3500K for WB on available light.
If you are having issues with the high angle of the lights creating shadows, then talk with them about getting some foot lights at the lip of the stage.

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by WarrenG

John,

Try posting a photo from the event so we can see what your dealing with. Make sure you have the full exif data in it.

W

There is more to your issues than just needing a larger diffuser. If you post a picture we can truly help you out, otherwise we are just speculating on how to help, or give advice. Your OP said that the pictures were in your words "ok", so there may be some things we can help you with to give them that "exceptional" look you wanted.

[Bruce M. Morris]

John, is the stage elevated? Some of the issue with your images might just be from shooting close up, low angle. Ideally a little bit of telephoto compression would work best to eliminate the background clutter of other models walking in and out etc. This might also allow you to be far enough from the stage to not be shooting up noses too. The couple of times I did any runways, I was using an older "potato masher" flash, Metz 45CT1. This with AC power supply was enough to provide plenty of light even out in an open Mall setting.