Newbie to Lighting:

[int0xicatedxluv]

Hey everyone. Well, I've been into photography heavily for the past 2 years or so, and I've gotten better and better, and actually gotten away from "snapshot" photo's, and so now I'm looking into progressing even more and trying out different lighting concepts and angles. The problem is, I really know NOTHING in regards to lighting lol. I do love taking photo's while the sun is going down, and paying attention to where the shadows are falling and how to capture them on film, but as far as simulated lighting...NO IDEA.

If anyone could give me some tips taht I can try about at home, that would be much apprecaited, or even point me to some websites where I coudl perhaps read up on lighting techniques a bit it would be much appreciated. =] Thank you!

[Ken Fong]

With no flash system, window light offers very diffused light and doesn't cost you anything. For artificial light, you will probably want to start with a 2 light setup.
There are a couple of threads going on for how to use as ST-E2 and 2 flash units (min 420ex) for wireless. If on a budget, I suppose you can go with other brands and just connect via sync cords and optical triggers. For the classic Rembrandt lighting, set up your lights on each side of the camera (45 degrees to subject from camera if looking from birdseye), then try out various flash ratios like 1:3 or 1:2 (main:fill)...the ST-E2 does this automatically (making some assumptions), or you can meter to achieve these ratios. The ratios will give your subject 'depth' (vs. firing straight on from the camera...this results in a flatter image.) Oh yeah, you will probably need to get a flash-metering incidental hand-held meter (Minolta, Sekonic, etc.)

[PhotosGuy]

Seen this?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140
http://www.webphotoschool.com/Lesson_Library/Free_Lessons/index.html
Taking Photos of Reflective Objects
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/reflect.htm
Watch pic Tutorial:
http://www.dpchallenge.com/how.php?HOW_ID=8
Macro Photography
http://www.photo.net/macro/primer
Close-Ups - Fine Art Photography - M. Plonsky
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/articles.htm

Portrait Photography - an exhibit/tutorial by Philip Greenspun
http://www.photo.net/portraits/intro
The Zeltsman Approach to Traditional Classic Portraiture
http://jzportraits.home.att.net/
Better portraits
http://www.dcmag.co.uk/news/article/mps/UAN/553/v/2/sp/590827280427208765298