Family shoot, near sunset

[m_mphotography]

Okay, I know this is going to be a dumb question, but I have to ask it anyway, because I'm doubting myself. I have a family shoot on Friday evening, and am thinking of scheduling about 6:00 or so, an hour before sunset (but I don't want to cut it too short). Anyway, so it's going to be nearing that sweet orangey light, but I'm wondering do I still find a shady spot to place my subjects, or do I put them facing the sun....why am I thinking that the shadows will still be harsh if I put them directly facing the sun?? Urgh...I haven't done on location in a little bit, I've been shooting a lot of studio work.

any insight is welcome.
thanks.

[ngoduyviet]

Pull out your studio strobes, set their back against the sun, match your strobes to ambient to taste

If it's a big family, 6:00PM sounds about right as you need time to set it up & get them warmed up.

[m_mphotography]

Viet, I can see that setup, but I was really not wanting to take a bunch of lighting stuff...I was hoping to just do it natural light! :)

[L Stegall]

I'd even go for later - it doesn't get dark until between 8 and 9, so 6 is still pretty harsh light out there.

[CaptainTom]

It will depend on the geography of the location.
Ideally you would have the setting sun at about their 10 or 2 oclock position.
The later it gets the better chance you'll have of getting a good shot in direct sunlight. As early as 6-7 and shade might be your best option.

Outdoors is just like the studio except you have to move the subject around the light and not vice versa. Just like studio lighting, the sun should ideally be at or near a 45 degree horizontal angle from the subject unless you are looking for something dramatic.

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by m_mphotography

Viet, I can see that setup, but I was really not wanting to take a bunch of lighting stuff...I was hoping to just do it natural light! :)

I wouldn't advise that though. For family shoot, I normally bring my studio lights. By the time you find a shaded area, get them position & the reflector in for fill, it's already is more work than bringing your light kit. Plus, you can always leave your strobes in the car if not needed. And I find it a lot easier creating my own light in addition to ambient.

[texxter]

I think both, the sun and a strobe as key lights have pro's and con's. Strobes give you more control, but you do need to have stands, strobes, sandbags, umbrellas or softboxes, possibly pocket wizards, a lightmeter perhaps, gels for matching the light... and any of these components can go wrong, even the sand can spill :-) Sunlight is great in that you only need a camera and a tripod, but then you have less control over lighting. Unless you use portable reflectors and diffusors, a good compromise.

I'd go with natural light with a few tips.

First, pick your exacty spot and time of the day by going there and checking out the direction of the light, backgrounds available, etc. Run a test with a friend and check out the results. This is the best insurance against bad results, assuming you have the time to do it.

Second, use reflectors. As indicated above, it's very pretty to have the sun behind your subjects because you get pretty hair. The problem is that the faces are facing away from the sun. You can use a couple of white, silver, or gold folding reflectors, place them in front of the family and use them as main. I love litepanels for this purpose because they are quite portable and they can be used as diffusors or reflectors. Even if the sun is to the side, you can use reflectors to create a hair light and fill. Having someone holding them makes it easier than setting them up on stands.

Finally, I'd shoot later in full sun and not earlier in the shade. The images will look better. Shoot in RAW to make corrections to the white balance, which is likely to be wrong out of the camera if you're shooting outside surrounded by green.

[m_mphotography]

Paco,
exactly my plan. I went yesterday with the kids to check out the locale, and see the type of lighting. Turns out where I had in mind is NOT going to work as it's in FULL sun during that time--time for that place would be a sunrise session. Nevertheless, my next plan was going to ask a friend to come with tomorrow afternoon and see if I can shoot her and 5 kids, just to get a feel of the lens I'm going to use (I have an 85mm f1.8 which i'm tempted to use) but I need to try it out, and to check results with what I'm thinking and the couple of places I've picked. I'm also bringing my reflector, I just hope it's NOT too windy! Hm...I asked them to meet about 6:15, I guess if we get about 7:30 and are still out there, for some odd reason, I'll shoot in full sun then Hopefully the light is much softer. WE'll see the results. thanks all for your input.

m_mphotography added 2224 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Okay, so I failed to get out to my locale and shoot test shots of friends. Now, I'm at home wondering which lens to use for the family shots. I'm definitely going to use my 50mm or 85mm for the individual shots, but for the family I am not sure. I have the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, should I just go with that?? I'm going to have to close up at least to 5.6 anyway, I figure to get everyone in my DoF, but I just love the quality of my 85. I was thinking about using the 85mm, but I'm going to have to be like 30-40ft in front of them to get everyone in the frame, and not chop off limbs, plus my background will be compressed right?? as opposed to shooting a wider angle and getting some of the background.....any input is helpful. Or should I go with my 50mm?

m_mphotography added 2242 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Okay, so I failed to get out to my locale and shoot test shots of friends. Now, I'm at home wondering which lens to use for the family shots. I'm definitely going to use my 50mm or 85mm for the individual shots, but for the family I am not sure. I have the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, should I just go with that?? I'm going to have to close up at least to 5.6 anyway, I figure to get everyone in my DoF, but I just love the quality of my 85. I was thinking about using the 85mm, but I'm going to have to be like 30-40ft in front of them to get everyone in the frame, and not chop off limbs, plus my background will be compressed right?? as opposed to shooting a wider angle and getting some of the background.....any input is helpful. Or should I go with my 50mm?

m_mphotography added 2244 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Okay, so I failed to get out to my locale and shoot test shots of friends. Now, I'm at home wondering which lens to use for the family shots. I'm definitely going to use my 50mm or 85mm for the individual shots, but for the family I am not sure. I have the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, should I just go with that?? I'm going to have to close up at least to 5.6 anyway, I figure to get everyone in my DoF, but I just love the quality of my 85. I was thinking about using the 85mm, but I'm going to have to be like 30-40ft in front of them to get everyone in the frame, and not chop off limbs, plus my background will be compressed right?? as opposed to shooting a wider angle and getting some of the background.....any input is helpful. Or should I go with my 50mm? I also have the 18-55 f/3.5 to 5.6, maybe I should go with this one, I think it's sharper than my longer lens.