Question about portraits.

[luvtotakepics]

If you are a beginner is it best to start in a studio setting or outdoors? I am think indoors as you can control things easier but I am not sure. Please share your thoughts.

[bobbyz]

Outdoor might be cheaper as you can start with simple reflectors. You can do same if you have a big window in your place.

[luvtotakepics]

Right now I have the canon 430 (I think) flash and 1alien bee 400. I am getting another alien bee so with 2 lights I should be able to play right? I have to buy as I get the extra $$. I shot outside but where its getting colder its not an option much longer I suppose. Thanks for reading and replying.

[Dermit]

The more control you have over all the elements that make up the image the easier it will be to learn. By learning the basics with full control over everything it should come to you pretty fast. Once you get the basics you can start to throw variables into the mix and learn how to deal with things that are not in your control, such as natural light. Sometimes it stays pretty constant, other times it varies with clouds, often times it is either too bright or too soft or too harsh and you will need to learn how to deal with it. But if you do not understand the basics and how to use what you can control then there's not much hope in dealing with the variables.

Ideally i would teach someone in studio setting, full manual mode on camera, full manual mode on lights. Starting with one light and learning all that can be done to use it to it's highest potential. Then adding another light, and another, and so on. Until we start to teach how to use ambient as part of the exposure, then get that down and go from there.

[Cuervo79]

Since you say you have strobes its easier indoors first, try if you can to practice with just 1 light, I got 2 at the same time and things multiply 2 fold so the learning curve is slower (in my opinion). You can also try outside but if you try to use your strobes take into consideration that the sun will be another light to take into the equation. What ever you do take into consideration that all the basics are still important, exposure, composition, etc.