Wedding lighting with off-camera light

I recently posted this picture on Facebook and I know that some of my photographer friends might be interested in the lighting so here's complete breakdown of the shot:

First, the settings
f2.8 - 1/160 - iso1600

This was the first wedding where I used the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5.  I've already talked about the advantages of having TTL control with off-camera lighting but this is the first time that I've also used zone control.

I set up my off-camera strobe (Canon 580EX) at the corner of the dance floor.  In this shot, it's to my left.  I pointed it at the ceiling with about a 45 degree angle.

On-camera is my 580EXII pointed straight up with a bounce card pointed forward.

The Ritz, Ybor and a Canon 5d mkII

Yesterday I was at The Ritz in Ybor for an open house.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I was invited.  Is it a bridal show?  A showcase for the venue?  It's actually a little of both.  They put bands on-stage in three rooms doing 20 minute sets all night.  If you're looking for a band, it's a great chance to audition a bunch of different people in one night.  They also invite some vendors, and that's where I came in.

A couple of months ago I met Okie at a luncheon.  He works for The Ritz and I told him that I was shooting a Bat Mitzvah there in February.  I also mentioned the new portrait stations that we were doing and he asked me to come set one up at the open house.  Everybody that came by our table got a free 4x6 printed right there.  It was quite popular and we met a lot of really nice people. 

PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 review part 3

These reviews are getting to be a habit!

Tomorrow I have a shoot at the International Mall in Tampa.  The Janie and Jack store gives away a free 8x10 to customers once a year and this year I'm the guy taking the pictures.

As I always do whenever I'm taking my studio gear on location, I first set everything up in my living room.  I have a studio in my house but I'm so paranoid that I move my gear to my living room and set up.  Then, I take pictures of my kids.  Finally, after everything checks out the way I want it to, I break the equipment down and stack it by the front door.  It's a little obsessive/compulsive I know... but it guarantee's that I have everything I need with me since it's unlikely that I will leave something behind in the middle of the living room (something I could easily do in my cluttered studio.)