How should I set up my studio to take sharp portraits without shadows with two white umbrellas and one silver umbrella?

Question

What would be the best studio setup using two white umbrellas with lights, one silver umbrella with a light and canon 430ex ii? My goal is to take sharp pictures of people without shadows. I am not looking to create any special lightning effect, i.e. Rembrandt lightning.

I have spend an enormous amount of time experimenting with different setups. I get nice pictures but I think I could do better. I am just wondering if somebody could suggest the best setup for this simple studio. I get the best results using the bounce mode (pointing behind me to the white ceiling), however I find the pictures seem a bit underexposed and sometimes out of office.

I actually like using direct flash but having problems with the shadows. I tried using the slave flash to light up the backdrop with poor results. I'd appreciate if somebody could suggest the optimal setup using the equipment I have. Thanks in advance.

I have the following equipment: T3i canon 430ex ii canon 50mm f.18 lenses two white umbrellas one silver umbrella tripod backdrop stand with 4 different backdrops. mainly white walls and white ceiling.

Answer 1

It doesn't matter if you're using canon, nikon or monolights. Correct positioning of your source of light can produce results you want to achieve. In your case, to get rid of shadows behind the person, you may want to invest into a second source of light, which will can be placed behind the person. Here's an example I shot with 2 lights (strobes): http://500px.com/photo/20408789?from=set/535071

Answer 2

Probably the best source of free information on shooting with a Speedlite and umbrellas is David Hobby's Strobist site. http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Do you have two 430s? If not, how are you using the three umbrellas? Most folks put a flash in each umbrella (that they are using) and shoot though the white, so that it diffuses the light.

Typical sets have one umbrella on each side, next to the camera, at a 45 degree to the side and 30 to 45 degree down angle.

Or you can go "clamshell" and have one umbrella under the camera position, and one above.

Answer 3

Shadowless lighting requires a broad light source directly in front of the subject or a high enough volume of (omnidirectional) light coming from all around the subject to wash out any shadows. A speedlite and on camera flash combination is unlikely to be made sufficiently broad or produce the volume of light necessary to get the shadowless effect you desire.

In your case, using your speedlite shooting thru a white umbrella is a start toward broadening the source but the light is still going to be directional as opposed to omnidirectional and that means its going to cast some shadows. If you had other white reflector material you could try surrounding your subject with it to bounce light back into the shadows.

Keep in mind that shadowless lighting is not generally the most flattering lighting for portraiture, but hey, try it anyway and see if you can get pleasing results.

Answer 4

maybe a reflector ? .. If you cant get your hands on one you could always go to the store and buy some large white poster board. Don't be scared of shadows work with them.