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Urban Photo Setup

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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287
Just wanted to find out everything you guys use when you go out to shoot urban, from lighting to lens choice.  I'm interested in learning more about lighting and everything needed for a flash setup so if u have a link to somewhere or if u could just explain here that'd be awesome.
Mar 1 2009 2:57PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Normally I have a speedlight on a light stand either bear or with an umbrella. I have a wireless trigger to set it off or I will use a 30ft cable from my camera. I set that on the side where the skiers face will be. If I need to I can set up another one somewhere else. I normally let the background burn in if im doing a night shot on a tripod, so like 1/10 or .5 a second.
Mar 1 2009 3:20PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
I have 2 285's and a 555. I usually only use 2 flashes but if I need to highlight or need the extra light I'll use 3. I have diy battery packs which hang on my light stands and I can shoot all day. Never have to worry about carrying AA's around. I will use a lens that I feel is appropriate for the set up.

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Mar 1 2009 5:57PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Explain please. Im am interested.
Mar 2 2009 3:22PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Here is mine.

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Mar 2 2009 3:29PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
They are SLA's with waterproof connectors and dummy batteries. They last for thousands of shots and basically a cheaper alternative to the very expensive professional versions.
Mar 2 2009 3:39PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Oh and to answer OP's question.  I always have 3 lights on me because I end up lighting big things all the time.

Examples of 3 lights.
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I have a light far left for a small rim/more even lighting.
I have a light far right for main.
I have one directly to my right for fill.

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Far left for rim to kinda separate him from background ( yeah, he blends though)
Far right for fill.
slightly left for main.

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slightly right to light up the whole building
just out of the frame on the right for main on the rider
behind the tree to light up the snow/rim

Examples of 2 lights:
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Just trying the balance the ambient here/fill.
1 285 on each side of the rider.

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Since I was lighting such a small area, I only needed two lights.
One far left zoomed for rim.
one directly to my right for main.
Mar 2 2009 3:39PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
as for connecting, you plug them into the aux power on the flash?
Mar 2 2009 3:47PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
No I use the dummy batteries. I've looked for ways of using the external power port but I haven't found one yet. I've thought about modifying the port but by then you're better off using the dummy batteries.
Mar 2 2009 4:13PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Might sound dumb but what are dummy batteries?
Fake batteries that go in place and connect to something else?
Mar 2 2009 4:25PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
They are fake batteries that connect, through a wire, to the main battery. Some people use fuses which are exactly the same size as AA's but I made mine of wood.

This is just an example. I found it on flickr. Join the group strobist on there to find out more.
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Mar 2 2009 5:28PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Strobist website is sick.
Thanks man!
Mar 2 2009 6:40PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287
thanks for the replies.  is a battery pack for the flash needed though if you dont need a quick recharge and dont plan on shooting for more than like 2 hours?  also, are there any websites/forums that would have good introductory info on strobes and setups?
Mar 2 2009 6:43PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
Strobist is the best place to learn. www.strobist.com and they are also on flickr. If you plan on doing more than one shoot in your lifetime I suggest getting rechargeable batteries of some kind. There are good nimh's out there but I prefer the SLA's for cost to power ratio.
Mar 2 2009 8:08PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,445
I used to use 2 flashes usually 1 from the side and from the front or back depending on lighting i used pocket wizards to trigger them until they broke so no I have to resort to a flash sync on my 1 sunpak which is triggered from the on camera flash which blows cause its hard to get the right lighting with taht
Mar 2 2009 8:17PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

just checked out the strobist blog and got good info there.  so if i were to make a checklist of the minumum equipment needed would it be something like:

flash, flash trigger, light stand, and adapter for the stand if not included.

it definately seems like there's more to that so please add in anything else.  again though, im just looking for the basics.  and will the ebay triggers work well enough for someone like me who is just fooling around and getting back into photo?

Mar 2 2009 11:20PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
for triggers be careful! the cactus v2's are the most popular ones on ebay from about $60 for a whole kit. I use to use them and are work then they want to. I was check out aliens bees. They have some pretty nice stuff that is not a lot, about $150 for a whole kit. However pocket wizards are the best. They just came out with a new unit that is cheaper and working directly with a speedlight (no other cables needed) the whole kit would be about 400 but they last. To start off, I would try the V2's however after getting a feel for it, I would up grade.

I made a 30ft cord that I use for my speedlight which never fails, and I use a "peanut," it like a trigger and when it sees the flash, it goes off wirelessly too.

Light stand are pretty cheap. The cheaper you go, make sure you have weight to hold them down (i.e.. sandbags)

I prefer a "shoot through" umbrella, a white umbrella the flash shoots in. You can get a black and a white one on bandhphoto for about $15. It nice because it can be a normal umbrella or a shoot through. As for the adaptor, those are about $20, it mounts on the top of the stand, the umbrella goes in it and the speedlight goes on top.

Enjoy and good luck!
Mar 3 2009 1:06AM
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 184
if you have got the two g's to spend check out the elinchrom ranger set up it's pretty much a portable light studio
Mar 3 2009 9:59AM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
you can get so much better stuff that is cheaper and better. it just needs a bit of DiY.
But that thing is badass.
Mar 3 2009 11:39AM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287
thanks again guys, im prob gonna look into starting off with the ebay triggers because i dont mind an occasional misfire or w/e i really just wanna get into lighting and be able to try out some different stuff and have fun.  and most of the urban we've hit so far we've been able to session as long as we wanted without getting busted so im not worried about trying to go in and get the shot perfect really quick.
Mar 3 2009 12:02PM
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andrewmeehan
Posts: 765 - Karma: 364
buy some studio lights off of B&H. that shit is super expensive but the quality is awsome
Mar 3 2009 12:10PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
This site goes hand in hand with strobist. http://www.mpex.com/
I would say order it here rather then ebay.
Go with 1 V2 Transmitter, and at least 2 receivers. You one per flash.
I would say go with 2 Vivitar 285s, 2 light stands, 2 umbrellas, 2 umbrella/flash brackets

I would highly recommend this! $400 and your perfect.
http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=STROBIST2XKITS









Mar 3 2009 12:30PM
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Elife
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 44
wow... strobist.com just stepped up my game. +karma for you my friend.
Mar 3 2009 2:44PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Why would you need umbrellas for skiing?
Mar 3 2009 10:14PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
1. If you didnt want the light to be so harsh, and have softer shadows
2. if he does anything besides skiing, which im sure he would they are much better then "bare bulb"
Mar 3 2009 11:40PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
I dig.  I just have always struggled with not having enough power.
Mar 4 2009 12:20AM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
What kind of units are you using?
Mar 4 2009 10:37AM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
285HV's and an SB-28.

Sometimes a Metz CT-1
Mar 5 2009 4:40PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Old thread bump

Are these flashes comparable to vivitar 285s? If they are, are they better flashes? Cause I can get this without the flashes and add the 285s for quite a bit cheaper
May 3 2009 12:18AM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
Just get the 285's. Check on strobist. There's a company making alternatives to flashes that are much cheaper. Not saying 285's are expensive but if you're just starting out it may be worth it.
May 3 2009 12:03PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Yeah I'll check it out. That site is great. Thanks!
May 3 2009 1:40PM
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