Headshotzx
27th of January 2009 (Tue), 12:07
Hey guys! I realised that I've been shooting lots of portraits this month (for free / as a hobby), so I'm planning to increase my lighting equipment.
Few questions though. I shoot 1 person portraits and small group portraits (max 10 people in 2 rows). Rarely have I needed more than 2 flashes imo. I shoot half-body and headshots, usually in the style of classic portraits or corporate portraits. Sometimes I also do ID / Passport photos, which are the easiest (1 light above camera, 1 light for bg, shoot).
If on location in the outdoors, I always prefer to have 1 umbrella with my 580EXII, and a reflector for a 1 (or 2, if you count the Sun) light setup. If indoors in a non-studio environment, I'll always try to balance the key-light with the ambient light with one flash. If in a studio environment (basically if I'll have only light from my flashes register), I'll use one flash for the subject (key-light) and 1 flash for the background.
Used Nikon SB24/25/26/28, Used SB50DX / SB80DX, or New Vivitar 285HV's? I don't find sunpaks around here, and I heard that the sunpak 383's got discontinued, so I can't purchase them new anywhere. What are the differences between the 3 flash groups (I know how the 24/25/26/28 differ from MIR Nikon website)
I have come to understand that softboxes might be what I would want as my main light modifier for studio shots (due to shoot-through umbrellas spilling too much light on my bg). What softbox should I get for small-flashes, or should I make my own? Note: Small-flashes, so the speedrings would be completely, different, no? If I can make my DIY softbox everytime I shoot, I wouldn't mind if the materials are reusable and are easy to fit together. IMO, I just need 4 pieces of cardboard-box material, aluminium foil, translucent white and smooth tablecloth, and a way to get all of them together, right?
Up till now, I've been using the ebay-triggers. I don't like them because there are times when it just won't fire, but when they work, they work fine. Will there be a real difference if I'm do replace them with, say, an elinchrom skyport system? It's the only trigger that I can get locally (PW's are banned in Singapore, and way to expensive if I ever ship them) What can skyports do that my ebay triggers can't (other than being more reliable).
Reflector holders-- are they necessary?That's all my questions for now.
Cheers,
Zexun
Few questions though. I shoot 1 person portraits and small group portraits (max 10 people in 2 rows). Rarely have I needed more than 2 flashes imo. I shoot half-body and headshots, usually in the style of classic portraits or corporate portraits. Sometimes I also do ID / Passport photos, which are the easiest (1 light above camera, 1 light for bg, shoot).
If on location in the outdoors, I always prefer to have 1 umbrella with my 580EXII, and a reflector for a 1 (or 2, if you count the Sun) light setup. If indoors in a non-studio environment, I'll always try to balance the key-light with the ambient light with one flash. If in a studio environment (basically if I'll have only light from my flashes register), I'll use one flash for the subject (key-light) and 1 flash for the background.
Used Nikon SB24/25/26/28, Used SB50DX / SB80DX, or New Vivitar 285HV's? I don't find sunpaks around here, and I heard that the sunpak 383's got discontinued, so I can't purchase them new anywhere. What are the differences between the 3 flash groups (I know how the 24/25/26/28 differ from MIR Nikon website)
I have come to understand that softboxes might be what I would want as my main light modifier for studio shots (due to shoot-through umbrellas spilling too much light on my bg). What softbox should I get for small-flashes, or should I make my own? Note: Small-flashes, so the speedrings would be completely, different, no? If I can make my DIY softbox everytime I shoot, I wouldn't mind if the materials are reusable and are easy to fit together. IMO, I just need 4 pieces of cardboard-box material, aluminium foil, translucent white and smooth tablecloth, and a way to get all of them together, right?
Up till now, I've been using the ebay-triggers. I don't like them because there are times when it just won't fire, but when they work, they work fine. Will there be a real difference if I'm do replace them with, say, an elinchrom skyport system? It's the only trigger that I can get locally (PW's are banned in Singapore, and way to expensive if I ever ship them) What can skyports do that my ebay triggers can't (other than being more reliable).
Reflector holders-- are they necessary?That's all my questions for now.
Cheers,
Zexun