Ball pictures (need suggestions please)

[semperaggie]

I am taking ball pictures in a couple of weeks. I am trying to think through everything I need to get ready.

They generally look something like:


I would prefer something simpler with maybe a velvet-like black backdrop?

Also, I have a canon 5d, a 580 flash, and a tamron 28-75 2.8 lens. Will this be adequate for a situation like this taking pictures in a hotel ballroom?

Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions

[bondarnes]

Will that be adequate? Probably. Will the images captured look anything like the example? Probably not. The example was done with off camera flash (probably with studio lighting).

[CaptainTom]

Don is correct as always.

You should get your flash off the camera for any kind of portrait.
put the flash on a stand with an umbrella. trigger it with some sort of wireless trigger.


cheapest I could find new.
stand $20
flash umbrella light stand adapter $24
umbrella $20
Ebay triggers $20

experience to make this all work the way you want $$Priceless$$

[semperaggie]

Would a backdrop like this work?

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c15/p15-05.php

semperaggie added 0 Minutes and 51 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I do have a stand and an umbrella. Do you have a link to the triggers?

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by semperaggie

Would a backdrop like this work?

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c15/p15-05.php

semperaggie added 0 Minutes and 51 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I do have a stand and an umbrella. Do you have a link to the triggers?

that would work. Will the dance committee be having anything that you could use for a background that is FREE? You don't need anything fancy, just a nice wall of curtains, etc.

ebay flash triggers

[tropicpine]

Heather:

You may want to consider using a background other than black (or at lease have an alternate). If someones black formal attire blends into the background too well you get a floating head effect.

[Bruce M. Morris]

Heather if you contact the Command they might be able/willing to provide you with the USMC Flag and National Ensign. as was mentioned above you dont want to use a dark background because the Marine Dress Uniform is a Dark.. (dare I say it? Navy) Blue. I would strongly recommend that you talk with the ones that contacted you and see examples of what they expect and determine if you even have the equipment capabilities to do the job. This is the premiere event for the Marine Commands and they like to look good.
If you dont have it yet, I would also recommend that you have at least one other person to help you with names and orders.

Good luck with it!