Need Help FAST!

[LouDog]

Ok so we had a church approach us about shooting a free event on mothers day...My mother passed away when i was 2 so i really dont mind doing the event..I like to give back. We shoot the families for free and give every one a free 5x7's. From the business end we also pass out cards and give them a chance to order more prints.

Here is the situation...we have a friend of ours lending us lighting because this will be an inside shoot in the lobby of the church (church has about 100 members) But we need a mothers day style back drop, we dont want to just use the wall....

We are not familiar with backdrops so if we ordered something what is a complete set up? i mean everything we would need to hang the backdrop and walk away from it ready to shoot?

Also, are there places that rent backdrop setups?

[kayumangi]

Since it's free I say keep it simple. Instead of buying or renting backgrounds why not find an empty wall and use your light to paint it strobist style.

A two light setup should be more than enough (one background, one main light)

If you really intend to spend that much on backdrops I say spend them on your marketing materials like instead of biz cards use double side printing on your 5x7s. The front side is mom's photo, the back side is your packages.

[tc95]

Jose...Do a traditional...white or grey backdrop...let there Church-Clothes standout...as far as the back-drops you can pick-up some white (offwhite) muslin really cheap and just use clamps to hang them...or you can pick-up a backdrop stand from someone...

If you want a little nicer one...(and people are gonna laugh at me...) but Ritz/Wolf has a background stand with white paper for around $150.00....just get duck-tape white to tape the corners of the paper so it does not un-ravel....

(disclaimer) - I am not a pro...so this is just my 2 cents....

[LouDog]

I like both of your ideas....Marius can you elaborate a little more on the lighting you are talking about...and as far as marketing goes we have that taken pretty good care of. Just worried about the setup for now.

Thanks guys!

[kayumangi]

Well its quite simple really, heck you can get away with just two speed lights if you wanted to.

You have one light with a gel and a grid facing the wall. Then you have the main light maybe a shoot thru umbrella, octabox or softbox whichever you have as the main. As Tony said, emphasis on the subject is what matters not the backdrop.

[LouDog]

Cool....any ideas on posing...we thought about getting a nice chair and posing the families around the mother in the chair.

[carrbowl]

We did this a few years ago...something to think about. We did a slide show and turned all the photos to black and white. It seemed to help take the focus off the clothing since they weren't dressed for photos, and turn the focus back on the relationships.

[tc95]

Here are few good Videos....






Here are a couple of diagrams to show what you can do...



I use this setup all the time....but add a ring flash on the camera...



I think this is what Marius was talking about...







This is a great little attachment to have so you can use the onboard flash...and only $20....




Hope this help a little...

[Abel]

Moving thread to proper section...

[LouDog]

wow hey thanks Tony!

[humminboid]

Hey, Lou; Keep it simple. Get the pastor's approval and assistance.

BG?...easy: wall of the church...interior-exterior, makes no diff. Some churches have draperies that do well for BG, keeping in mind the reverence appropriate in the chapel.

Seated or standing, move the subjects away from the BG, & use a shallow DOF (large f/stop, like 2.8) to isolate the subjects from the BG. Or...go to a quilting shop; they have marvelous 108 in. wide Batik material in mottled shades. buy a couple of yards, tape it up, again, subjects away from BG so it isn't in focus.

Emphasize the mother.

Other members of the group(s) facing towards the mother. Not looking directly at her, but turned slightly to wherever in the composition she may be. Kids...have a funny, squeaky toy for those that just don't wanna cooperate. (Leave the whip and whistle at home!)
Single Flash...Off-camera, ittl cord if you have it. On a bracket...raised as high as you can, and off to the side, within the limits of the bracket. Off-camera...arm's length, either side, one-hand the camera. Steady on, there!

If you are lucky enough to have one...Voice-activated, carbon-based light stand...(your assistant) camera left or right, flash about head high. Closer makes for softer light. Diffuse' em, if you got 'em.

Like in debate: Be Brief, Be Brilliant, Begone!

[LouDog]

Carl Amazing post thank you very much...My Only trouble with the wall of the church is that it is a burnt orange color...almost like UT but a bit brighter.

[LouDog]

here is a random pic taken from last year in this church

Just a P&S camera but you can see the colors....would this be ok to use as a background?

[humminboid]

Jose; Nice photo! Altogether a pleasant-looking group.

Yup...not the most attractive BG color, but no worse than many. Try to make the group more compact, move them 4-5 feet away from the wall, expose for the group, and the BG should go darker.

O.K., My suggestion: And I am assuming a lot, here.(a dangerous word) Mother, (center lady?) sitting, knees pointed slightly to your left or right. The good-looking dude with the mustache (father?) right next to her, and the large fellow on the left, next to her on the other side, then fill in the others (children?) as you see fit. If I have guessed wrong about the family members, you are on your own!

Good luck! You'll do fine!

One final opinion, and worth exactly what you paid for it: About + .5-1.0 exposure compensation will lighten the faces slightly, but not overmuch. Your LCD screen will tell you.

[LouDog]

awesome Carl...yeah you guessed right lol...this was just a quick snapshot for facebook i think...I am on the far right next to my father, and my Brother in law (Jusselin) is on the far left. The big fellow lol he married my sister (the striped shirt next to him)