Sony Diaries #1031: A quick and easy way to lighting environmental portraits

This is how it works for me, using a Sony A7III. Any mirrorless camera with a similar Live View Display and Auto ISO will work as well. I also use a Godox Speedlight on a 26" Westcott Rapid Octa softbox, firing it with a remote controller. As for lenses, I use a Sony 85F1.8 for half-body and a Sigma 50F1.4 for wider coverage.

Depending on how much ambient light you prefer, set your desired aperture (f1.8-2.8 for shallow depth of field), shutter speed (1/125 to minimize subject blur). Lockdown the ISO indicated as per aperture/shutter speed combination.

Turn on the Godox to Manual and start with 1/128 power. Adjust power accordingly based on subject-to-speedlight and degree of lighting preferred.

And that's it! Now you can concentrate on getting the best expressions from your subject.

Sony Diaries #1024: portable lighting setup for group portraits

I was getting tired of lugging around what looks like a body bag: a case of 2x 500W/S Elinchromes, stands, umbrellas, mounting rings, and extension cords to places that may not wall sockets. I could use battery-powered monolights but the volume of group portraits that I do doesn't justify their purchase. Recently, I was commissioned to shoot a group of 40+ at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Since I already have 2 Godox speedlights, I decided to add a third one (as backup), and a Godox X1T radio transmitter. Shown in photos is my setup (taken with my LG G5 cellphone.

 Sony A7III, Godox X1T Transmitter, Tamron 28-75F2.8

 Godox TT685 Speedlight with a Gary Fong Diffuser

  Godox TT685 Speedlight with a Gary Fong Diffuser

looking at the Speedlights from POV of the subjects

1/40 F5.0 ISO2500