How To Setup a Remote Triggered Photo Booth
These are the most fun shoots! Even better than an actual booth because you get to use awesome equipment and hang out with fun people!
To setup my Photo Booth, I used the following gear:
Canon 1D X
ProFoto B1
Octabox with grid
3 x Pocket Wizard Plus II's
1 x Flash Sync Cable
1 x Remote cable
Lightstand
Tripod
32GB Memory Card
1. LIGHTS - I setup my light or lights, depending on the scope of the backdrop and the look I am going for. I have previously used my Alien Bee Strobes and more recently, Profoto B1's. You could probably use Speedlites too. I've just never found them reliable or battery efficient besides, the quality of light from the Profoto or even the Bees, is infinitely better. Besides which, you would need two to get the job done nicely.
2. TRIPOD - I setup my camera onto a Tripod. A good sturdy tripod is useful, especially if there is going to be alcohol at the venue!
3. POCKET WIZARDS - I hook up my remote flash/camera triggers. I use Pocket Wizard II's (yes they are still going). And they are fabulous. We tried the Profoto Air remotes and they didn't work so Pocket Wizard's rule here.
4. REMOTE CABLE - So, One wizard on the the light, one on the camera hot shoe hooked up with a remote cable. Here is the link to find your cable. One final wizard for the guests.
IMPORTANT: This is the trick. Have the Wizard in your hand on Channel 1, the Wizard on the camera set to Channel 1 and the Wizard on your lights to Channel 2. (You can use other channels but the lights need to be the next channel following the camera and handheld wizard).
5. METER READING - Take a meter reading. Every venue is different and it depends on how much ambient light you want in the shots. You probably want at least f5.6 for your aperture because of the groups that tend to find themselves in front of the camera as the night goes on.
6. MODELLING LIGHT - I keep the modelling light on in low light situations or else the camera won't be able to focus.
And that's it. Have fun with your Photo Booth!
Nina Beilby is a professional photographer and photography educator based in Chatswood, Sydney, Australia. You can see more of her work at www.ninabeilby.com.au.
Thanks for visiting!
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