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07/19/2008 07:51:32 PM · #1
I need some advice on Studio Lights. I want to be able to take professional quality family and individual portraits. I found this site that has several different kits in my price range (~$400). What are the pros and cons to the different style of systems such as Quartz Halogen, Fluorescent Cool kits or strobe units? Also soft box vs. umbrella reflectors. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Roger
07/19/2008 08:19:06 PM · #2
I faced the same question, a short while back. And I'm much less of a photographer than I think you are.

I went with two Nikon speedlights, SB600 and SB800 instead of going for Alien Bees lights. These flashes are very powerful, ...I believe the guide number of the SB800 is higher even than the alien bee 400.

And then I got a wonderful Impact digital flash umbrella mount kit....two stands, two umbrellas (bounce or shoot thru), two mounts.....$98.
BH photo flash mount kit
I also have two cheapish monolights, like those shown on your link, each with softboxes.

I absolutely love the speedlights, and almost never use the monolights. The versatility of off-camera flash, and the ease of use of the Nikon creative lighting system, are superb.

So, for the same amount as youre describing, I have no doubt in recommending that you go with Nikon speedlights.

..........now to actually find the time to use them!!
07/19/2008 08:42:19 PM · #3
Thanks Sinky for the complement and info, you’ve got some nice photos in your profile. Brighton Cove is amazing as is the one with the girl and bird.

So are you using the speed lights amid at the umbrellas and then reflected back at the subject? Can you put the D300 in commander mode and have it trigger two SB600’s? I really don’t have any experience with flash systems other than the on-board flash.

Thanks,
Roger
07/19/2008 09:03:27 PM · #4
Hi Roger -

Thanks for the kind words.

You can use the 800 in commander mode, which will trigger the 600. But a more common way I use it, is to use the camera to trigger them both, and have each flash off-camera, on a stand, each with an umbrella, if you like (or a snoot, or bounced against the ceiling, or a reflector, ...whatever).

Then, in the e3 item of your D300 menu, you'll see that you can use the camera as commander. You'd set your 800 as flash A, and your 600 as flash B, and you may or may not choose to have some supplemental flash from the in-camera flash too.
In the menu, you'll see each flash can be dialled up or down, to taste.......ie......set the 800 to TTL +2.0, the 600 to TTL -1.7, and in-camera flash to TTL -2.0, say.

The advantage is that the TTL system then adjusts the relative contribution of each flash perfectly, ......and you do all this remotely, via the camera menu, without having to touch the flashes each time.

I spent all yesterday afternoon photographing teddy bears (!), practicing and playing, with all this. Kids dont sit still long enough!

The Nikon CLS system is definitely the way to go, now that you already have the D300.

Have a read of the Strobist blog.....lots of information about this, or I could send you many links.
07/19/2008 09:04:05 PM · #5
Originally posted by Sinky:



And then I got a wonderful Impact digital flash umbrella mount kit....two stands, two umbrellas (bounce or shoot thru), two mounts.....$98.
BH photo flash mount kit


I will second this. I had 2 Alien Bees and decided to go with the Canon flashes for my system. MUCH more portable than two Alien Bees and a Vagabond power kit that weighs 80 pounds (I am sure that is an exaggeration but the damn thing is heavy)
07/19/2008 09:53:24 PM · #6
quartz halogen: if you go this route, you need to get at least 600watt bulbs to shoot at a short enough shutter speed. but then, at 600 and higher the lights will be too hot for smaller rooms (i.e. 10 by 10 feet) and will drench your family in sweat (nasty). not to mention, everyone will be squinting.

flourescent: i'm not very experienced with these, but kinoflos are way too expensive and you can't put attach sofboxes, beauty dishes, snoots, etc.

speedlites: all you can really do is put umbrellas on them. they make adapters for softboxes, and makeshift snoots. but if you get more advanced with your lighting, you'll notice that speedlites are very limited with their accessories. for example you can't mount beauty dishes or grids on them which limit their versatility. speedlites are great for location shoots though, like some others have mentioned.

but overall, the natural choice is to go for strobes. pretty much every professional fashion photographer uses strobes when in the studio. it's because they are versatile and powerful, yet cool to the touch.

_________________
as for your question about softboxes vs. umbrellas:

umbrellas: very portable and come in a range of different surface types (silver, gold, silver/gold, white) but create a hotspot in the center which leads to uneven lighting in most cases

softboxes: create a very even light. these come in different sizes. small (20 by 20), medium (24 by 36) large (32 by 48). and even have oversize ones. for group portraits you'll probably want to get two medium size softboxes. softboxes create very even lighting (no hotspots) with soft shadow edge (depending on the size you choose). the downside is that softboxes are significantly more expensive than umbrellas.

there is another alternative called a brolly-box. it's sort of a hybrid between a shoot-through umbrella and a softbox that produces fairly even light. you might want to check those out.

Message edited by author 2008-07-19 22:01:45.
07/19/2008 10:14:51 PM · #7
Originally posted by rcrawford:

I need some advice on Studio Lights. I want to be able to take professional quality family and individual portraits.


Save your money, and by a pro light setup.
07/20/2008 12:57:04 AM · #8
Originally posted by rcrawford:

I need some advice on Studio Lights.

Thanks,
Roger


Home Depot is the poor mans choice for lights.
07/20/2008 09:07:34 AM · #9
While professional quality can cover a wide gamut of things, a window is often all you need. You can also work with one light, just the modeling light or you can use 5 or 6 strobes with modifiers (that cost as much as the lights themselves).

For strobes 150ws and 300ws lights are probably the most versatile - if you're going to be using softboxes or doing groups get the more powerful lights. B&H sells a 2 light kit Paterson Stellar (not the X) for $500-600 with stands and bag and softboxes (umbrella kit is less, but the softbox kit is a better deal). These will last you forever most likely, you'll never outgrow them. AB is another choice - american made, same features, but a little more money.

For hot lights you can use the modeling light off the lights above (and use the modifiers too, and the light intensity is adjustable) or you can go the home depot route but they're harder to work with (hotter overall, not as nice a light output) Sears sells a 2 light kit on a 6' stand for around $30 (less on sale) that's better than the HD version (taller stand, more power settings)

These are just window light and nothing more...

08/08/2008 05:46:52 PM · #10
Thanks everyone for your input. I took Sinky's advice and bought 2 SB600s, Umbrellas, stands and a backdrop. I set everything up in the family room and talked (pleaded) my wife BNC into modeling for me. I think this is the best shot so far but I have a lot to learn. Critiques welcome.

Thanks,
Roger



Message edited by author 2008-08-08 17:47:20.
08/08/2008 07:05:27 PM · #11
The hair light is a stop or so too bright, the whole image is 1/3 or so underexposed. The hair light is hitting one shoulder and not the other.

Pose is pretty good- perhaps turn her face just a tad more - i think i see both sides of her nose and should see only 1 (slims the nose).

Perhaps the lighting on the face is a bit flat..it's a taste thing so it's not right or wrong, but there is no modeling/shadows/#D thing going on.

For just getting you lights it's good. I just shot a senior today and some are good, some have flaws - a shadow from her hair or the like.

It all goes back to the basic definition of a good picture. Did the client pay you for the picture? Then it was a good picture.
08/08/2008 08:15:49 PM · #12
Thanks Prof_Fate for taking the time to look at my photo.

I get the hair light too bright and photo too dim but not sure about the second line. Are you saying to have her turn her head away from the camera (more to her right) How would I change the flat light on the face, move the light more to her right side too? As you can tell this is all new to me.

Thanks again for your time,
Roger
08/08/2008 09:59:14 PM · #13
don't forget to check out //www.strobist.com for plenty of help and we also have a thread here that I need to bump:

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=770633
08/09/2008 10:08:29 PM · #14
Another one from today. As always, critiques welcome.

Thanks, Roger

08/29/2008 04:50:11 PM · #15
Originally posted by rcrawford:

Another one from today. As always, critiques welcome.

Thanks, Roger


From the result I see you are getting there,
Sorry i don't have an advice to share, I am where you were before buying the light setup,
Best of luck
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