Setting up a photoshoot area (Flash)

[ARK]

I've been asked to do some photos for a group of people, and I'll be setting up a back drop and such.

I have so far been using my speedlite 430EX and Xsi w/ 18-55mm lens, but I'd like to produce better quality shots (lighting wise).

I was thinking of getting an umbrella or two with lights attached, to help give an overall better lighting quality.

I would like some hints/opinions/ideas as to what you think on how I should go about this.

Budget wise, hopefully not too expensive, so the cheaper the better!

I don't have an idea on how large the room is yet, but I believe I will have more than enough room.

[Mark1]

If you want cheep, I dont have a link handy, But rock bottom would be 2 of the $59 strobes at adorama. (currently on sale for $49 I think), stands and umbrellas. For Probably $200 you have a decient starter kit at the rock bottom price. The strobes are not any stronger than a flash, but they are 1/4 to 1/8th the price. And with the umbrellas, will work fine for single person and small groups. To conserve light I would use them with shoot-thro umbrellas.

[ARK]

http://www.adorama.com/SPHPK6.html?searchinfo=Strobes&item_no=9

Would that be a good choice.

I know it is more than twice the price of your offered items, but I think these would be a decent investment for the future.

Would you agree, or no?

P.S.

Or even this one: http://www.mcbaincamera.com/productdetail.php?mcbain_id=1107800. I can buy this one locally for $549.00, whereas the first one I listed, ends up to around $522 w/ shipping.

[cueball]

I just picked up a Calumet Genesis 200 2 light kit, http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/ and Calumets' Heavy Duty Background Stand, http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/MF6095/. UPS delivered them today and the quality seems quite good. The background stand seems very stable and the light's were very easy to setup. Now I just have to clean out the garage to make some room for eveything.

I went this route based off a lot of the stickies and previous posts here at POTN. The quality of the lights and the fact that they use an Elinchrom mount sold me as far making an investment for the future. I figure I'll learn on these for the next few years and then upgrade when I reach a point where I need to. Hope this helps!

[ARK]

I really like the umbrellas with lights, I think I'm leaning towards those.

Oh no! Haha!
But I think that's a good choice, then set up a backdrop.

Thanks for the link!

P.S.

You'll have to tell me how high that backdrop can go!

[Mark1]

If you are going to spend that kind of money, get the Genesis listed above. To me it sounded like you were trying to spend as little as possible. The Genesis lights you will keep for a long time, as you grow just get stronger ones and you still can use these as fills or hair lights.

[ARK]

Yeah, I'm going to go with the Genesis ones.

Thanks! =)

[kclancy]

There is also the strobist kits .. great for a budget. I made my own using a mix of canon strobes and stands. http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=STROBIST2XKITS