Family Portrait lighting

[walkien]

My friend ask my to take his family protrait this weekend, it will be indoor, I have never done this before and I would like to know what type of equitment do I need (lighting, backdrop, etc...) I have a budget of $600.00. I saw the whole kits (2 lights with stands and umbrallas, a backdrop, 1 gold and 1 silver refletor) at Ritz camera, is this any good?

[johnlo]

My friend ask my to take his family protrait this weekend, it will be indoor, I have never done this before and I would like to know what type of equitment do I need (lighting, backdrop, etc...) I have a budget of $600.00. I saw the whole kits (2 lights with stands and umbrallas, a backdrop, 1 gold and 1 silver refletor) at Ritz camera, is this any good?

I got the SP Excalibur 2 lights system (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=190519&is=REG) from B&H for under $550 a year ago... and have been using it since to make money. No problem with it what so ever.

Backdrop - depending what you are lookin for. you can always go on ebay and do a search on it. sometimes you can get something at a very reasonable price. That include a nice strong heavy duty backdrop stands too. I remember picking one last year for under $50... still using it now.

[RichardtheSane]

Will you have enough time to practise with them before the weekend?
Or do you have studio experience already?

[walkien]

I don't have studio experience at all, they will be my first guinea pig ;-). BTW, I just ordered 2 Smith Victor lights and umbralla http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=157948&is=REG from BH.

[RichardtheSane]

To me it looks like a good kit to get you started.
Today I have also just ordered myself a lighting starter kit to see how I get on.
Lots of info about setups etc. on the link below
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=32299&forum_id=54

And we await your results :)

[roanjohn]

To me it looks like a good kit to get you started.
Today I have also just ordered myself a lighting starter kit to see how I get on.
Lots of info about setups etc. on the link below
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=32299&forum_id=54

And we await your results :)

WOW!! Great link!!

Ro1

[walkien]

My SV light and background stand has arrived today, here're some test shots, still need to learn.

RichardtheSane, thank you very very much for the link, very helpful.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/HenryW/Misc/CRW_1883.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/HenryW/Misc/CRW_1884.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/HenryW/Misc/CRW_1888.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/HenryW/Misc/CRW_1897.jpg

[ContessaPhoto]

Please post more pictures when you get to them and also have you bought filters? I bought a SV kit and then filters as well.

[mbze430]

You'll need to get the light closer and more direct to the subject. Your background is must better lit than the subject.

there isn't a "wrap" around effect by the umbrella. It looks like you are just catching the fall off of the light reflecting from the umbrella.