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10/01/2007 09:20:42 PM · #1 |
| Im interested in getting into portrait photography, and im wondering what type of lighting equipment i would need to produce quality looking shots. Any ideas on what i need? |
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10/01/2007 09:24:34 PM · #2 |
You'll need either flashes (small and limited, but effective (the strobist.com)) or strobes (virtually unlimited). I started with Alien Bees strobes (alienbees.com) and haven't regretted it for a moment. I now have 4 AB strobes and its perfect. :)
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10/01/2007 09:26:06 PM · #3 |
To be honest there are about fifty eleven threads asking the same question on this site. There are a few "standard" portrait kits, but your needs may vary.
I recommend starting off with one or two 160 watt second strobes (Alien Bees 400s for instance), a large reflector, a light meter and a good lighting book.
As you get further into it, you can buy more lights. But in the beginning more than one or two lights just gets confusing.
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10/01/2007 09:49:22 PM · #4 |
| For outside get a big reflector and just use that in the shade, or if you are willing to chuck out some real money definitely go with an alien bees kit, they are awesome |
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10/01/2007 09:49:25 PM · #5 |
| For outside get a big reflector and just use that in the shade, or if you are willing to chuck out some real money definitely go with an alien bees kit, they are awesome |
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10/01/2007 09:50:14 PM · #6 |
Based on my recent experience, i would recommend starting with a stand, one light and a shoot through umbrella. It's amazing how much you can do with that plus starting off with a big lighting kit is hugely difficult. The strobist site has some great ideas on how to use a regular hot shoe flash mounted off camera. I would follow that route and just an AB400.
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10/01/2007 10:26:08 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
Based on my recent experience, i would recommend starting with a stand, one light and a shoot through umbrella. |
I'd add a reflective umbrella (or convertible) to that, but yeah. Go for about a 45 incher - 60 if you want full body.
Translucent umbrellas (shoot through) give the softest light but lose the most light.
White reflective umbrellas give a soft "wrapping" light and don't lose as much light.
Silver reflective (or gold) give the most "pop".
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10/01/2007 10:27:56 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by idnic:
You'll need either flashes (small and limited, but effective (the strobist.com)) or strobes (virtually unlimited). I started with Alien Bees strobes (alienbees.com) and haven't regretted it for a moment. I now have 4 AB strobes and its perfect. :) |
Ohhhh, c'mon, you know you want more.
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10/02/2007 12:12:57 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
Based on my recent experience, i would recommend starting with a stand, one light and a shoot through umbrella. |
I'd add a reflective umbrella (or convertible) to that, but yeah. Go for about a 45 incher - 60 if you want full body.
Translucent umbrellas (shoot through) give the softest light but lose the most light.
White reflective umbrellas give a soft "wrapping" light and don't lose as much light.
Silver reflective (or gold) give the most "pop". |
I've been using the shoot through a lot lately, but maybe because the soft light just makes it easier. I should do the same exact shot with each of the three so I can get a really good feel for the difference.
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10/02/2007 02:08:51 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
fifty eleven |
i love this guy, ok back to topic |
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10/02/2007 08:32:31 AM · #11 |
| Your ideas are going to help me also. I was given 2 lights, I think they're from the 50's, major antiques. I'll give them a try before buying new and buy an umbrella. The room is 12 x 16 , your thoughts on light metering will help. |
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10/02/2007 09:28:09 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
[quote=fotomann_forever] [quote=Nusbaum] Based on my recent experience, i would recommend starting with a stand, one light and a shoot through umbrella. |
What bulb wattage do you use? I have 2 white (shoot through) smaller size umbrellas, but I think the bulbs that came with it are 'weak'....what is a good wattage to use? |
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10/02/2007 09:30:17 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Originally posted by idnic:
You'll need either flashes (small and limited, but effective (the strobist.com)) or strobes (virtually unlimited). I started with Alien Bees strobes (alienbees.com) and haven't regretted it for a moment. I now have 4 AB strobes and its perfect. :) |
Ohhhh, c'mon, you know you want more. |
Well maybe ONE more..... ;)
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10/02/2007 09:52:39 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by dassilem:
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
[quote=fotomann_forever] [quote=Nusbaum] Based on my recent experience, i would recommend starting with a stand, one light and a shoot through umbrella. |
What bulb wattage do you use? I have 2 white (shoot through) smaller size umbrellas, but I think the bulbs that came with it are 'weak'....what is a good wattage to use? |
I have used a 580ex flash, 430ex flash and Alien Bee AB400 flash. I once played with 250 halogen bulb and a shoot through umbrella (continuous light rather than flash), but it's not a lot of light. I think I ended up at about 1/60 sec, f/2.8, and ISO200. This was ok for me because I usually shoot shallow depth of field, but many would want a higher aperture.
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10/02/2007 10:03:16 AM · #15 |
| I've only used the sun....the cheapest and best light you can find. I finally brought my reflector a month ago and have never used it. Haven't had any complaints yet. |
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10/02/2007 10:17:57 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by albc28:
I've only used the sun....the cheapest and best light you can find. I finally brought my reflector a month ago and have never used it. Haven't had any complaints yet. |
I agree, the sun is the cheapest and best light you can find. But, it doesn't work well when a client wants a portrait captured at high noon in an open area with no overhead structures or when you need to capture a holiday portrait after work when the sun is setting at 4:00PM.
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10/02/2007 10:34:59 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by brimac:
Im interested in getting into portrait photography, and im wondering what type of lighting equipment i would need to produce quality looking shots. Any ideas on what i need? |
What kind of shots do you want to create?
I've been on shoots where 0 lights are used and I've been on others where 15 or more lights were use for a shot of one person.
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