What would you buy with a $2000 budget?

[mtleighton]

Now, it doesn't have to MEET $2000, but if you had $2000 is there a particular studio lighting set-up or kit you would buy? Excluding backgrounds, props, etc.

I've just been looking around online, and I was trying to decide what would be the best route if I finally decided to pull the trigger.

[TMR Design]

I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations but they will be based on the needs and preferences of others.

To better help you, it would be great if you could give us some general information about what you like to or want to shoot, where you want to shoot, time of day, types of subjects, singles, couples, groups? Portraits? Full length? Kids, adults? If you're setting up a room or studio what are the dimensions? Your answers to these questions will really help understand your needs and determine what gear makes sense for you.

[mtleighton]

Honestly I haven't really found my niche yet, so I'm not sure what I will primarily be shooting. I'm finishing up my graphic design degree and after a lot of time in the studio, I feel like it would be less expensive in the long run to have my own set up, rather than rent out a photo studio any time I want to use it. I'd probably be turning the extra room in my apartment into the studio, which would be something like 12x15.

[mtleighton]

I've added my gear to my signature. Perhaps I should be more worried about extending that before I focus on studio lighting?

[TMR Design]

I've added my gear to my signature. Perhaps I should be more worried about extending that before I focus on studio lighting?

It all depends on the direction you see your photography taking. If you see yourself doing landscapes, nature and environmental shooting then studio lighting is certainly not going to be as important. If you want to do portraiture then lighting is essential but there's nothing that says you need to spend $2000 to take great portraits. Perhaps you want to split up the funds to accommodate both areas.

Great portraits can be done with a simple 2 light kit and umbrellas, medium softboxes, reflectors and a minimal gear list. You don't have to find a niche but you might want to think about what you see yourself doing and what you'd like to do. Keep it simple and add to your kit as your needs grow.

[samurairx7]

if it was me i'll buy a 5DI =)

[tim]

AlienBee Einstein lights - coming out soon. They sound great for studio and location work.

[tacoma200]

AlienBee Einstein lights - coming out soon. They sound great for studio and location work.
That sounds like a good idea. I would buy the best mono lights and stands I could afford starting out ( I like the White Lighting, Alien Bee products). You can do all kinds of things with a good set of lights and a simple backdrop such as a grey/white/black paper. Umbrellas will get the job done for starters and you could add soft boxes later(I like softboxes though). A light meter is a must in my opinion but others may not agree.

[Rudi]

Light meter (for studio flash), two high quality monoblocs and a couple of appropriate modifiers (only you will know what modifiers make sense for what you shoot), plus stands and other accessories. To save money, I would even start with just the one light - you can accomplish a lot with just the one strobe if portraiture is your main goal. I know several successful (and know of several famous) portrait photographers who only ever use the one light.