with the one flash you have, point it straight up with that little white
card/tab out, that should do it.

Sorry to be so late getting back to you, but somebody stole our phone
lines. It took a week to get them replaced.

Yes, but they do not operate independently. They use the i-TTL wireless
system and these strobes cannot use the commander mode, so they need
another flash (the SB800 or the camera's internal flash) to act as the
commander to set them off.

You could have the two strobes in separate groups; one strobe at normal
TTL exposure and the other down one stop or maybe reflected off a wall.
This allows one side of the subject to receive more light than the
other. This is all set in the camera if you are using the built-in
flash as the commander, or on the SB800 if it is the commander.

You preview the effects of the lighting by pressing the preview button
on the camera. That also tests to make sure that all the strobes can
see the commander. The strobes also accept gel filters if you want
them. If you are using the built-in flash as the commander and you do
not want any light from it to affect the picture, a little infrared
shield that fits on the flash shoe is included with the kit. The kit
also includes a flexible arm clamp and a sheet of diffuser plastic, as
well as all kinds of close-up adapter rings, light guides, etc.

I like the system because it is extremely light weight, even with
batteries. These little lights are small enough to put in your pocket,
but they come with their own canvas duck carrying cases with belt
loops.

The guide number of the  R200 strobes is 10/33, so you might want them
a little closer than you would place studio lighting, if for no other
reason than to save your batteries. On the other hand, they are not
going to burn your model, either. Recycle time is about two seconds on
a fully discharged R200, but I rarely use more than 1/8 power so as a
practical matter recycle time is almost instantaneous with fresh
batteries.

The sample lighting book included with the kit is invaluable for its
examples on how to set up the lights to achieve different effects.

[...]

Many thanks for all the info and links. Eeh Gads, but there is lot to
learn about lighting.

Since posting, I've done a good bit of experimenting with my single
SB-800. I'm ashamed to admit that when I got my SB-800 and saw an
immediate improvement in my shots, I didn't try to learn or experiment
with placement: I pretty much just stuck it on the camera and pointed it
at the ceiling and left it there. Taking it off and setting it to remote
offers a lot more flexibility. In particular, I found shooting at a
close wall behind me offers better diffusion of the light.

I do still need to expand my lighting arsenal, and I think I'm going
with another SB-800 for now (and probably a third one not too long
after). It's not as powerful as a studio strobe would be, but it is very
portable and versatile as exemplified by some of the work of David
Black[1] which I found among the references previously posted. In
addition, I'm probably going to get the SC-29 cord to get my master
flash unit off camera and still be able to set the two flash units up in
different groups, so I can control their output separately.

I'll also need stands and brackets. Maybe the Bogen 3362 Light Stand and
a 175F Bracket? The only potential drawback with the 3362 is that it
doesn't have adjustable legs for uneven ground...

I'm also wondering if a reflector might be another inexpensive way to
focus more light on my subjects. Would something like a Lastolite
48"x72" or a 48" Tri-Grip Sun/White reflector be a good investment?

I'm still concerned that this not going to be enough lighting power for
larger groups (6-12 people), but then my "customers" (as in the people
requesting the shots, not as in people actually paying) aren't as
critical as I am of the shots I've taken so far. It's still just
informal family shots, and those type of shots are not my primary
interest with regards to photography. Still, I'd like to be as good as I
reasonably can without investing a huge chunk of money.

I might also try to find some rolls of cloth or something to use as a
cheap background for occasions when there is not a suitable background
subject.

Also, has anyone had any experience with LumiQuest products[2]. I'm
wondering if their Softbox & Snoot work well on flash units like the
SB-800. In particular, I wonder if a Snoot on a SB-800 would make a good
effects/hair light, while using a Softbox on the other SB-800 for the
key light, and a reflector for fill with a single subject portrait?

Still Learning,
Randy.

1. <http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/index.htm>
2. <http://www.lumiquest.com/>