Newbie soccer team photo's - what light?

I have been asked to shoot soccer team pictures, indoor, horrible lighting. Groups will be 10 to 18 kids. Have a Nikon D50 and SB600 flash. What is best way to light the team?

a) Purchase a slave SB600 so I can use iTTL and attach to an umbrella? Can I light 18 kids with a master and one slave?

b) Purchase two strobes? Looking for lost cost strobes if this is the case. Read about 120W Fotodiox ($125) in Shutterbug. Don't know if that is enough light, and from reading this forum I would loose the "automatic iTTL functions".

I will also be shooting my first wedding (indoors) and would like to reuse the same equipment for group photo's (coming up in September). I do have 2 500W umbrella continuous on hot lights (just got them) but I will be shuffeling soccer teams in and out for hours (could not keep the lights on that long so I guess I should use stobes). I am open for any lighting idea's or how to set up the lights (45 degree angles from team?)

I say forget about the umbrellas for lighting 18 kids with 2 strobes. 2 strobes on stands would be fine I guess. If the ceiling are not too high, you could bounce and get ok results

For weddings, I sometimes ( when I have time ) take out my 2 strobes , on stands with PWs, it's effective and fast to setup. Also very light equipment.
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Christian Vilela

When I shoot hockey team photos, I use strobes. I couldn't even imagine using little speedlights.

I mount my strobes high up and behind me to get evenly spread light.

Align the kids in three rows, if you can. You don't want too wide of a shot as you'll lose detail in the faces.

• Paul S.

Disclaimer:
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The comments made here are of my own opinions and experiences. The comments are not meant to be a testament of anybody else’s experiences but mine.

http://www.surettephotography.com

behind you. Plenty.

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Taking mystery away from lighting.... There are no rules...

If you never fail, you never grow....

Regards, Phillip @ Keepsake,

I do soccer teams all season,I usually go outdoor though but often at night,I use speedlight,a 580 and a 550,one mounted on camera,daytime no problem,nightime i place a 550 under bench aimed at the back,the camera 580 lights up the fill,and the 550 throws a lights out the back that illuminates the ground upwards,never had any problems,indoors i think i would use 2 550/580 from 45 degrees and a on camera 550/5580 bounced.

speedlights are great easy/light/and very portable.

just ask chuck.

Nick.

I normally shoot soccer teams outside but I do shoot basketball teams inside.

I use one AB800 and a 60" umbrella close enough to a wall to not have to worry about the different colored ambient light. I normally put the group on the free throw line. My strobe with umbrella is directly behind the camera.

If I can't get close enough to a wall I sometimes bounce a second AB800 off the ceiling behind the group to help overpower the ambient. I place the second light off to the side out of the picture.

The AB800 overpowers the ambient and then you don't have to worry about white balance problems from the strobe being one color and the ambient another.

That was the problem I had with small flashes. It was just not enough to overpower the ambient.

Nick - I would like to see some of those night soccer photos ..pls post.
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Doug...

http://www.lenosphotography.com
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