Portraits with flash only?

[FA71]

So, can you get "studio" lighting out of a couple of Speedlites?

I have been laboring over what introductory light kit to buy for some months now...I want to learn lighting (portraiture) but am very low on cash and very tight on space.

It dawned on me just today that maybe, just maybe, another speedlight on a tripod might be enough to learn the ropes before I dump several hundred/a few thousand dollars into a real light set up.

Some questions for anyone kind enough to respond:

1. Will a 580EX's (I assume I'd buy that one) wireless communicate perfectly with my 550EX?

2. If so, what are your opinions about a two-Speedlite "studio" set up? Would I need shoot-through umbrellas, for example? Is the lighting just too cold for decent portraits?

3. If reasonable, what minimum equipment (what kind of tripod, etc.) do you think I'd need?

Thank you!

[tdaugharty]

PM dmp_potn ... This is all he uses and the images are stunning.

[chris clements]

Is getting a 580 really a cheaper studio option than buying a D-Lite kit (or similar starter kit) ? Especially if you have to go out and buy bracket, stand(s) and brolly(s) for the 580.

But if you're set on a two speedlite setup and cash is tight, why not a get a 430 as slave to your master 550?

[FJ LOVE]

FA71 there are pros and cons to both set ups ,studio lights can't go with you

but the flashes can go anywhere .flashes are hard to predict where your light

will fall off,you will learn how to control the flashes and maybe more valuable.

[FJ LOVE]

also check out stobist.com for stuff a studio light won't do.

[Headcase650]

If you already have a 550ex your best bet on a budget would be a used 420EX as a wireless ETTL slave, Ive seen them go for as little as $100 sometimes up to around $175. Get a cheap light stand ($20), an umbrella bracket and a cheap silver or white umbrella. Your slaved 420 will be off camera as your main light and the 550 would be fill. Set a 1:2 ratio and start from there adjusting up your ISO as needed.

[FA71]

Headcase: just the kind of info I was hoping to get...nuts and bolts...thank you. Just one question: why would the more powerful (I believe) 550EX be the secondary/fill?

[Tony-S]

You might check out this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=256923).

[Headcase650]

Getting the 420ex with a low budget in mind means that the 420 has to be the off camera slave with the 550 being on camera as master. You will want the off camera as main always to give depth to the image, the on camera 550 will shoot at a lower setting than the 420 to soften the shadows from the lenses view. If you have never played with studio lighting I would suggest buying or checking out from the library "Master Lighting Guide for Portraite Photographers" by Christopher Gray. Excelent book very easy to understand. It talks more about larger studio strobes and mono lights but the concepts can be adapted to flash guns, you will need to increase your ISO to account for the less power of the flash guns.

[LightingMan]

Dear Freddie
This kind of question came to me several years ago and I posted the answer in the Q and A section of my web site. The article briefly discusses turning portable flash units into studio strobes with modeling bulbs that will work until you can buy the genuine article. Here is the link to the page if you want to read it. Also feel free to email me should you have any questions about. Always happy to help.
I believe it's the third question down on the page.
take care,
http://www.lightingmagic.com/equipqa.htm

[FA71]

Nice...like the modeling lamp idea. Thank You.