Gulp...asked to do headshots

[C_Dave45]

I barely consider myself skilled enought to post in beyond's photography corner, and yet because I've done some shooting for a junior hockey team for my own personal enjoyment, (they also use a lot of my photos for their year-end banquet as a slide show) they have asked me to do headshots for individual players' profile for the team's website.
Normally I would just say I'm not a pro by any means...but when I see them have a banner raising night, and the best photos I see of the evening are taken from cell phones, I feel bad saying "no". I know they operate in the red all the time so I like to help if I can.
Obviously I have no studio lighting, so do you think I can even pull this off?

I'm thinking a nice portrait lens like the Canon 50mm 1.8 wide open with an off-camera flash? Or do I use my 70-200 /4L? (Much better glass) Do i use a White background? Or blurred team colours background? (Blue & green)

This is what they currently have:
http://www.calgarycanucks.ca/team/roster.html
(Click on a player name to see individual bio)

[98type_r]

Off camera flash if that's all you have should be ok, bounce or diffuse it so it's no direct from the flash. I would hesitate to use a 50 1.8 wide open for headshots, stop down to F2.8 or F4. For profile pictures, you'd probably want a plain background.

[C_Dave45]

Ah okay...maybe I should use the 70-200 then if I have enough room?
I have a diffuser on my ex 430, that I can fire remotely off cam.

[D'z Nutz]

Oh yeah, you'll be fine with off camera flash. It's what I use for most headshots. No need to over complicate it if it doesn't need to be. Diffuse or bounce. The shorter end of the 70-200 will work nicely but if you're tight on room, the 50mm's more than adequate.

Here's how I set up:

Get someone to stand in while you do some test shots and try out flash and camera settings and when you figure out what works, mark where they're standing with painter's tape (usually 2-3 feet from the wall if there's room, never right up against the wall/backdrop or you'll get shadows). If you're not doing straight on shots, mark where their feet are pointed on the wall or something. That way when the next person comes in, just tell them to stand on the X on the ground and point their feet at the other X on the wall and look at you. Tell them you're going to take a few shots so they don't walk off after the first flash. Click, click, click, next.

Watch out for reflections on glasses.

[Nufy]

Try not to say BOOM !!!! before every headshot...

[C_Dave45]

Thanks '98 and 'D'z...that makes me feel a little more at ease. I'll use your tips and suggestions.

[Sentry]

Heart's beatin'.

HANDS ARE SHAKIN
HANDS ARE SHAKIN

[The_Rural_Juror]

Make sure you double tap because they always come back.

[msommers]

One thing I would suggest to do is get a soft box. They don't have to be expensive but it makes the light a lot softer and appealing, especially for the ladies. The catch lights are nicer too.

The 70-200 is a great lens, I'd definitely use that.

[gogreen]

Good advice here. I'd definitely go with a neutral background and if you're going to bounce your flash off a wall or ceiling make sure it's also neutral so you don't get any weird colour casts.

Also, given the size of the images on the website (i.e. small) I'd suggest framing in a little tighter to get more of a head and shoulders portrait. Several of the existing ones are shot in landscape orientation with the subject cut off just above the waist so their faces are tiny.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Every time I get asked to do this, I set up simple clamshell lighting, 2 flashes, 2 cheap umbrellas, and use my 70-200. Always works out well with super even lighting, removing any unpleasant shadows. Set the lower umbrella flash power about a half stop darker than the upper one. 2 umbrellas and 2 stands cost me well under $100. Couple test shots to set exposure and you're good to go.

There are many ways to do it though, that is just my go-to.