What lighting - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

11/04/2008 11:31:02 AM · #1

I'm hoping to get my first lighting kit shortly. However, I'm absolutely stumped as to what I should start off with. Do I want continuous lighting or flash lighting that will sinc to my camera. I'm sure you can tell I'm completely bamboozled by it all but I do know my next step really needs to be lighting to get a decent portrait.

Can anyone advise me on a beginners starter set

thanks

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

11/04/2008 11:34:00 AM · #2

There's no easy answer to this. For starters, we need more info. You want to do portraits - in your studio, or will you need to be portable?

Will you just be doing portraits? What kind? Environmental or against a backdrop?

What kind of budget are you looking at?

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

11/04/2008 11:38:55 AM · #3

I guess it would need to be portable as I don't have a studio and I would buy the back drops which I've seen come on a roll. I like both studio and environmental but I suppose I should start with studio ( one step at a time) Initially Â£300 but once I've got the basics I can add to it.

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

11/04/2008 11:40:10 AM · #4

Also tell us how big your studio is, what your subjects will be etc.

I started off with continuous light and advanced to Flash.
One thing to remember if you are going for studio flashes is not to mix brands or you will need different attachments for your modifyers (Soft boxes etc).
Also go for a system that is well known as you will be able to buy a larger range of modifyers from 3rd party suppliers.
I have Elinchrom lights and there is a huge range of modifyers available.

Frozenforever

Nikon D2H

Nikon AF Nikkor 14mm f2.8D ED

11/04/2008 11:41:08 AM · #5

will you be using it for studio or onlocation shoots?

I like the Q-flashs for onlocation... if you have the money, or the sunpak 120J is a good cheeper flash (about 300 with a power pack).

I also like the white lightning strobs or the alian bees.

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

11/04/2008 11:45:37 AM · #6

Initially it will be children and of course my family. I've been taking all the school photos, I work in a special needs school so you need a lot of time and patience to take these pics. Up to now I've had to rely on good daylight

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

11/04/2008 11:55:40 AM · #7

I prefer the Strobist system to any that I've seen. It's small, portable, and cheap(er) - it uses hotshoe flashes mounted off-camera, with radio slaves to trigger them.

As for full-sized studio strobes, they can be portable, but are a hassle to pack up and move around (I know, I do it at work all the time). However, they are more powerful...but also more expensive. And they have cords to tangle/trip over.

If you decide to go with studio strobes, Elinchrom & Alien Bees are both popular.

If you decide to go with the Strobist way, old Nikon & Vivitar speedlights are popular, combined with the eBay radio slaves.

Three strobes if usually considered a solid minimum. You can easily learn to use just one or two and still get good results, but having 3+ lets you be more creative in your lighting.