You're not stating whether the pictures are action or posed. If action, you need to say what lenses you own because with the right lenses (f2.8 aperture), you won't need additional lighting.

For posed pictures, the easiest set up would be two strobes bounced into large white umbrellas. Better than the Canon flash, look into a two light kit from Alien Bees. They are relatively inexpensive for what you get and seem to be reliable. You can use Pocket Wizards, but you'll need three, one for each strobe and one for the camera if your camera has a hot shoe or sync socket. That will set you back $600 so I'd go with a wired strobe and optical sensor on the other for at least this time. The two light kits from Alien Bees start at $600. You really shouldn't shoot with a flash on the camera. Start by positioning the two lights at 45 degree angles to your subject and move them according to how you want the light ratio or where you want the shadows to fall. Flash from camera position creates ugly shadows and red eye.

If you want to use two Canon flashes, look into getting something like the Bogen Swivel Umbrella Bracket plus two light stands and two large white umbrellas.

Here's a picture of how I use it:

Quote:
HELP - I've been asked to take pictures for a middle school of their basketball and cheer teams (group and individual). I've been wanting to get more lighting, so this is forcing me to do it. I CURRENTLY OWN: CANON 30D with 3 lenses; a 550ex flash, tripod, an a quantam turbo. I WANT TO ADD: lighting that can go anywhere and be wireless or close to it. I'M CONSIDERING: 2 pocket wizards, 580ex flash, light stand and umbrella. WILL THIS DO IT FOR THE CLOSE UP INDIVIDUAL SHOTS IN THE GYM?? ALSO - CAN I PUT A POCKET WIZARD ON MY 30D DIRECTLY??? Would I put both flashes off camera or leave one of them on? I'm really a NEWBIE to off-camera lighting and have been reading strobist.com. but I'm overwhelmed! I have to decide fast too!

I completely disagree with Larry Berman's recommendation (you have to excuse him he is devoted to Nikon). You aready have a dedicated Canon flash, the 550EX, so to have a two light setup with umbrellas and easy E-TTL auto exposure flash, all you need besides the two umbrellas and stands you can get inexpensively from Adorama or B&H, is the new Canon 430 EX II to make a two light setup., see below:

Speedlite 430EX II
Item Code: 2805B002

Bringing a new level of versatility and capability to flash photography, the Speedlite 430EX II features a powerful flash (guide number of 141 ft./43m at ISO 100) with a fast recycling time in a compact, durable body. A one-touch quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to attach or detach the 430EX II from the camera and a metal foot has been added for strength and durability. Flash controls can now be set through the camera's LCD screen on compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras. The Speedlite 430EX II is also quieter, recycle time is 20% faster (as compared to the 430EX) and since it is compatible with Canon's wireless E-TTL, it can be used as an affordable "slave unit".

Actually I did this with film cameras and Canon flash over 20 years ago and published it in a book I wrote on Lighting for HP Books (now out of print) as well as an article in PhotoGraphic magazine back then.

But if you get on the web to Canon's e store they should have an instruction book available on Canon eTTL flash - its easy and works well.

http://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/s...1&langId=-1

Quote:
HELP - I've been asked to take pictures for a middle school of their basketball and cheer teams (group and individual). I've been wanting to get more lighting, so this is forcing me to do it. I CURRENTLY OWN: CANON 30D with 3 lenses; a 550ex flash, tripod, an a quantam turbo. I WANT TO ADD: lighting that can go anywhere and be wireless or close to it. I'M CONSIDERING: 2 pocket wizards, 580ex flash, light stand and umbrella. WILL THIS DO IT FOR THE CLOSE UP INDIVIDUAL SHOTS IN THE GYM?? ALSO - CAN I PUT A POCKET WIZARD ON MY 30D DIRECTLY??? Would I put both flashes off camera or leave one of them on? I'm really a NEWBIE to off-camera lighting and have been reading strobist.com. but I'm overwhelmed! I have to decide fast too!

To use the PocketWizards you'd need two of them. One goes on your 30Ds hotshoe and the other is used as a receiver and mounted on or near the strobe to trigger it.

PWs are very expensive and for my uses I find eBay 4-channel triggers work perfectly well. For a large space like a gym you can't beat the power of a full-sized strobe. I use AlienBee 1600s my friend and colleague uses Elinchrom 600w/s strobes. When we work in sporting arenas, they generally have huge Speedotron sports lighting packs.

With Canon e-TTL flash units Pocket Wizard is NOT needed. The Canon flash units talk wirelessly to the camera and exposure control is through the lens and automatic.

Anyone with a Canon dSLR EOS camera and Canon e flash can obtain full information on how the technology works and how to use it, including instructions on using multiple flash with e-TTL auto control from the USA.Canon web site at:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contro...categoryid=2533

No offense, but won't she need one of the Canon controls (ST-E2) that fires Canon flashes off the camera as well as the 580EX if she wants 2 flashes off the camera? Or do I misunderstand your description? It sounds like you're saying put the 580EX on her camera.

Another approach would be to use a Stroboframe to get the flash off-camera but still nearby, and an OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord to hook the two together. The Stroboframes work really well - by putting the flash higher above the camera they drop the shadow to where it's blocked by the subject's body. They pretty much eliminate redeye too. Dial down the power and use it direct. Then you can use the second flash with the umbrella as side fill. Practice with a friend in the gym ahead of time if you can to get the balance right.

It makes the camera look more impressive too. I've got one of these setups and whenever I go somewhere in public with it, everyone thinks I'm a pro shooting for someone. Quite aside from the technical advantages, this might be the go-anywhere setup which makes the uninitiated to believe you're more skilled than you actually are.

A big part of this sort of work is getting the subjects to do what you want. That's easier if they're already convinced that you're the consummate professional.