Need lighting recommendations for an indoor photoshoot

[Sonny]

In 2 weeks we are shooting Couples & Group photos for an 8th grade dance. The dance is going to be held in the school's gymnasium. Other than some string lights, decoration lights and the DJ's lights, all the light will be turned off. So it's going to be DARK!

We will have access to power outlets so we don't have to worry about battery packs. I'm guessing I'll need some constant lighting so my camera will be able to focus and not hunt in the dark. We would like to rent all the lights, triggers and receivers, and light modifiers. What kind of lighting setup would you recommend?

[HFMarshburnJR]

Two umbrellas and a couple of speedlights and some extra batteries along with a backdrop and you should be able to handle anything that comes your way. Keep it simple. Have fun.

HFM

[KenJulio]

Sonny - why not use the ST-E2 af illuminator or the af illuminator on your 580ex

[Sonny]

The dance will have about 280+ students. The last thing I want to worry about are my batteries. I'll have access to power outlets.

Plus it's going to be really dark in this gym and I don't want all these kids to have that 'deer in the head lights' look when the strobes go off.

[KdLaneJr]

Sonny, Check out this old blog post by Neil Van Neikirk.

[a2rob]

Sonny, I did an 8th Grade dance a couple of weeks ago
2 AB einstein 640
1 60" white Umbrella $29.00 B&H high behind camera, You can use a big softbox but 60" umbrella is perfect for the 2, 3, 4, and 6 person group pictures as the light will be spread across the view finder.
The other AB was at the lowest setting for shadows only to the left of camera. This is optional though!

Rent from Borrowlens.com

Keep it simple you will not have time to adjust once the lines start forming. When the lights go out, use your modeling light to pose! Have an assistance to pose and another person to ensure that the envelopes actually contain cash. Got an Ipad or iphone, accept credit cards, I had about $250.00 in CC sales.

[The Loft Studios]

I've been shooting School Events such as Proms, Homecomings, Valentine Dances, etc... for over 20 years and I can tell you that this is where a Power Pack System comes best into play..... As far as set up goes, two 45" to 60" umbrellas set up as "Copy Lighting" (45 degrees to the subjects and background on both sides at approximately 10 feet away). Be sure to use the umbrellas with black backing as opposed to shoot thru umbrellas, because it's highly possible that the shoot thru umbrellas will give you unwanted lens flair due to the light bouncing thru the other side and getting into your lens. ISO 100 at f/8 is typically the optimum setting. This is not the place or time to be artistic and shoot at f1.4 or 2.0. You want the most reasonable sharpness and depth-of-field as possible. A typical 500ws-800ws lighting system will give you these results. And last but not least, talk with the dance committee or sponsor (typically, a teacher) and try to match your Set-Up(s) with the theme of their dance.....

Best of Luck.....

[jstevensphoto]

I shot a retirement party with about 200 guests. The honoree wanted to offer portraits for all of his friends. I used 2 220 w/s lights on stands with medium sized soft boxes. The lights plugged into the wall outlets. I used the modeling lights for focusing in the near dark. No problems. Hot shoe flashes will work, but you better have lots of batteries and not get in a hurry. Mine take a while to recycle and get really hot.

[Sonny]

Thank you for all the great information.

I'm all set up with (2) ABs that will plug into wall outlets, (2) 60" umbrellas, and CyberSync triggers & receivers.

Big thanks to Rob for the loaners and showing me how to use them.