Speedlights for interior portraits ~ Pictures

November 20th, 2011

01.

It’s been a while since I’ve used just Speedlights with a splash of ambient to light interior portraits. I’ve had several requests for a workshop that specifically covers using Speedlights and balancing them with interior ambient light. So my team decided to put the event on and Blaise set me up with a test shoot with Charlie from Alpha Agency.

02.

For this test shoot I used a Canon 580EX2 and a pair of Nikon SB900 triggered with cheapo Ebay radio triggers. I used a Lastolite Ezybox with an egg crate grid, a Lovegrove Avenger boom arm, an Ebay Speedlight to Elinchrom adapter bracket and a 40cm beauty dish with a grid. It was just enough kit to shoot a few fashion grade images.

03.

Speedlights are not a cheap option when it comes to selecting lighting kit. A pair of 580EX2s, a pair of stands with brackets, a pair of triggers, a pair of softboxes, 4 sets of rechargeable batteries and a decent charger will cost a whopping £1200 That’s a full £300 more than an Elinchrom BXR1 500/500 kit. The Elinchrom kit is a substantial 1000Ws as opposed to the 130Ws for the pair of Speedlights.

04.

Speedlights used in manual mode have a 7 stop range of adjustment available and this makes them very versatile for interior shoots. Their biggest advantage however is their size. A small light source is a hard light source and that makes it capable of creating crisp hard shadows. I’s easy to soften a Speedlight by putting it in a soft box or using an umbrella.

05.

06.

07. I added a splash of flash from the third Speedlight through my Venetian blind to give added interest to the background.

08.

09.

The trouble with Speedlights is triggering. In a group situation like a workshop it is imposable to use Pocket Wizard Control TL because every camera has a different shutter timing and Nikon and Canon users have to trigger separate Speedlights. Radio Poppers, PWs competitor only rebroadcast the ir commands of each system and ir works very well indeed inside even without line of sight. Adding a radio step in the chain seems pointless so I opted for full manual control using a basic radio trigger system so that Nikon users can trigger Canon Speedlight and vise versa. With full manual control we get consistent flashes time after time and it’s easy to adjust the power of the Speedlight on the unit itself. Just like a studio flash head. That leaves us to concentrate on the art without having to worry about the flash settings.

10.

11.

12. Although Charlie is wearing a wedding dress in some of these shots I'm not suggesting that softboxes and such palava can be used on a wedding day. Time is way too short for that kind of thing. Having said that, this shot was lit with the light from one window without any additional set up at all.

13. It was raining and very dark when I took this shot. I used a single Speedlight to simulate the sun. I'll be showing the workshop delegates how to do this whatever the weather.

UPDATE: If you’re interested in learning how to take shots like these and more we’ve now put online a new speedlight training workshop. Learn more here.

Please feel free to comment on these pictures or using Speedlights in general.

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23 Comments Add your own

1. Greg Dykes | November 20th, 2011 at 8:17 pm

That last picture is quality, Imagine that being a bride, would steal the show.
2. Mark Dell | November 20th, 2011 at 10:45 pm

I just wish i had enough pennies to book a course!
The images are superb
3. darren bell | November 21st, 2011 at 8:34 am

Wowsers. An amazing collection of images. I hope santa gets me another course with you…

inspiring as always!
4. Chris Hanley | November 21st, 2011 at 10:22 am

A superb collection. And what a fine concept for a Lovegrove masterclass. A fabulous way to to spend a wet dark day over the next few months. Creating bright vibrant pictures in the quieter winter months is good for the soul, self investment and portfolio
C
5. Simon York | November 21st, 2011 at 9:23 pm

Absolutely fabulous images, you never fail to amaze!!!

Until we meet again
Simon
6. Konfral | November 22nd, 2011 at 2:34 pm

Wow! Very beautiful set of photos, and a stunning model and location.
BTW, Could you share where this was shot?

Konfral
7. Robert Qi | November 22nd, 2011 at 10:04 pm

Great captures, as always!
8. David | November 23rd, 2011 at 8:18 am

Beautiful work as always Damien, 10 & 13 are my favourites.
9. david cooke | November 23rd, 2011 at 4:55 pm

No 8 caught my eye, another wonderful set of images Damien, great control of light and a beautiful model also.
10. paul keppel | November 24th, 2011 at 1:50 am

I love how they look like their not shot with flash, I like the last one with the bit of rim light from behind.
11. Lee Holland | November 24th, 2011 at 1:45 pm

Hi Damien,
Just booked on this course. Christmas has come early!
Pictures are amazing as always.
Looking forward to seeing you again.
Lee
12. Thorsten | November 27th, 2011 at 1:04 am

Wonderful images, yet again!
13. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Thanks Greg,

The rain might put some brides off but I’m happy to say that with my extension boom arm pointing up it extended my stand considerably. This gives the right sort of feel to the picture

Best regards, Damien.
14. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 1:34 pm

Hi Mark,

Christmas is coming and we have a few places left on a second date that we have put on for this workshop. The details are here. Thank you for the compliments.

Kindest regards,

Damien.
15. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Hi Darren,

It would be great to see you on another course in 2012. A second date has been added for this workshop. Details are here.

Thank you for your compliments and continued support. Cheers, Damien.
16. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Cheers, Chris
17. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 1:42 pm

Hi Simon,

It should all be dropping into place now. Get out there and make it happen and I’ll stay one step ahead feeding new styles and ideas through the ‘Evolve club’ chain. Thank you for your trust, fun and friendship in 2011.

Best regards, Damien.
18. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 3:45 pm

Hi Konfral,

Thank you. The location is Maunsel House in Somerset. It’s not cheap to hire but it is fabulous.

Kindest regards, Damien.
19. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Thanks Robert
20. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

Thank you David and David
21. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Thanks Paul,

I did use beauty dishes and softboxes etc. The only sources were Speedlights though The last one was 4m in the air on my boom arm on my Lowel Grand Stand.

Kindest regards,

Damien.
22. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 9:34 pm

Thanks for your kind words Lee See you on the workshop!

Kindest regards,

Damien.
23. damien | December 8th, 2011 at 11:17 pm

Thanks Thorsten for your continued support and compliments. It really is appreciated. Maybe we will meet again in 2012 )

Cheers, Damien.