Photo shoot on the beach, what lenses?

[tarboroheel1]

I am going to do a family photo shoot on the beach probably during the afternoon. Lenses I have are 70-200 f/4L IS, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 and of course the kit lens for the Xsi. What will be the ideal setup? I am in the market for a new lens, so suggestions welcome. Also how would you set up the camera, I haven't had good luck in these conditions.

 

[joebloe]

A flash and/or a reflector will do you a lot more good in the sun than an extra lens. I haven't seen a lens that will fill shadows.

Because you need sync at high shutter speeds (because you're shooting fill in bright light) you'll need a dedicated unit like a Speedlite.

Or you can hope for a cloudy day.

I am going to do a family photo shoot on the beach probably during
the afternoon. Lenses I have are 70-200 f/4L IS, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm
f/1.4 and of course the kit lens for the Xsi. What will be the ideal
setup? I am in the market for a new lens, so suggestions welcome.
Also how would you set up the camera, I haven't had good luck in
these conditions.

 

[dtuason]

A flash is good to have for beach shots.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason

Because you need sync at high shutter speeds (because you're shooting
fill in bright light) you'll need a dedicated unit like a Speedlite.

Or you can hope for a cloudy day.

I am going to do a family photo shoot on the beach probably during
the afternoon. Lenses I have are 70-200 f/4L IS, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm
f/1.4 and of course the kit lens for the Xsi. What will be the ideal
setup? I am in the market for a new lens, so suggestions welcome.
Also how would you set up the camera, I haven't had good luck in
these conditions.

--
http://www.pbase.com/dtuason

 

[DSLRShooter]

What type of beach will you be shooting on? West Coast / East Coast? The reason I ask is that if you are on the West Coast (like I am) the sun will be behind your family in the afternoon so I would be a great opportunity to use a reflector. Also, you may want to look into getting a scrim (you can rent one with some sand bags for like $40-ish for the weekend, depending where you go) as it will diffuse the light.

All that being said if you use a reflector I would go with your 85mm, it is a great portrait lens.

 

[tarboroheel1]

I have the 430EX flash. I am east coast, but it will be in an inlet. I can take pictures from different angles. Shoot will be in Charleston, SC. Can put the water in the background, big Charleston bridge, or some colorful homes that line the beach right there. I haven't used the flash a lot.

 

[DSLRShooter]

Sounds like a nice location, as long as you keep the sun out of your family's eyes you should be fine. I would still recommend the use of a reflector at least (they can be had fairly inexpensively). The reason being is because the use of a flash will most likely limit you to 1/250 shutter speed in turn requiring a more closed down aperture. Depending on the effect that you are going for (i.e., a blurred background with a wide open aperture) you should take sets with both flash and no flash.

 

[joebloe]

He has a 430EX; he can use high speed sync.

The
reason being is because the use of a flash will most likely limit you
to 1/250 shutter speed in turn requiring a more closed down aperture.

For about $125 you can get a multipurpose reflector that has silver, gold, white, and a diffuser, all folding into a roughly 12" diameter disk.

You could also use a Lightsphere, about $125 for the kit.