Home studio

[dnichols01]

I am just starting out and do not have much money to spend but would like to set up a small home portriat studio. I have really started to enjoy taking pics. of babies and small children but am having problems with light. I do have a speedlite 430EX but that is all at this time. I am looking to buy some lights but do not know rather to go with continuous or try for othe flash.
If someone could help with some thoughts on what I would need to just start out it would be a big help.
thanks

[CosmoKid]

start simple.

use your 430. buy an umbrella, light stand and some wireless trigger system and grow the system later.

umbrella - $20
stand $25
ebay or cactus triggers/receiver - $40

[mufutau55]

Strobe lights, suggestion is "Calumet Genesis 200 2-Light Kit" link below:
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/

or buy an umbrella, light stand, swivel adapter for umbrella, longer ETTL cable or ebay Radio Trigger and practise from there.

Mufutau

I am just starting out and do not have much money to spend but would like to set up a small home portriat studio. I have really started to enjoy taking pics. of babies and small children but am having problems with light. I do have a speedlite 430EX but that is all at this time. I am looking to buy some lights but do not know rather to go with continuous or try for othe flash.
If someone could help with some thoughts on what I would need to just start out it would be a big help.
thanks

[dnichols01]

Thanks for the advise.
I have looked at this site but not sure about the products. Has anyone ordered from them? I was thinking one of the kits which would give me a back drop stand and either umbrellas or soft box.

http://www.cowboystudio.com/index.php

[RacingMoose]

Here's a thread I saw recently regarding Cowboy Studio

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=641641&highlight=cowboy+studio

[Paul KCK]

Sorry for the intrusion into this thread but curiously, what is the difference between using umbrellas and soft box? And which would be the idea set up for a mini studio like as in a one room studio apartment?

[vincent_su]

I would attempt to answer your question in a short way.
1) Umbrealla has two ways of working, shoot thru and reflect.
2) The shoot thru function of umbrella is close to soft box but with light bouncing on the back.
3) Reflect umbrella bounce light in a very wide angle.
4) Softbox probide a large light source with more direction control.
5) Usually, umbrella is less expensive than soft box.
There are other factors and tributes of either one. I'm just focus on the light control for your home studio.
Hope that helps.

[TampaFoto]

Ebay - Cheap strobe light set . Stands, heads, Soft boxes, triggers , barn doors, gels, case to hold it all in. I have shot over 10,000 without fail . Used them at the beach with a car battery and cheap inverter. worked great. New $165.00 . I showed them to the rental studio I use and they purchased several sets. The owner of the studio been a pro for over 25 years and he likes them alot.

[Brett]

Ebay - Cheap strobe light set . Stands, heads, Soft boxes, triggers , barn doors, gels, case to hold it all in. I have shot over 10,000 without fail . Used them at the beach with a car battery and cheap inverter. worked great. New $165.00 . I showed them to the rental studio I use and they purchased several sets. The owner of the studio been a pro for over 25 years and he likes them alot.

Do you have a link to the kit you bought? I have need for an ultra-cheap setup for a project.

[dnichols01]

Would also like the link to the ones on ebay. I have looked there just not sure if they will hold up but yours sound like they have and would work for what I am wanting. I am just starting out and will have to learn from the ground up on it all and do not have a lot of money at this time to invest.
thanks for all of the help.

[speedster00]

I've looked at the cowboy gear and read their reviews. As I understand it, the lights those cheap kits come with are just that....cheap. I would still get the kit they offer due to price, then replace the lights with flash's. I have a 430EX as well. Im planing on getting the 2-reciever ebay triggers ($43), two lightstand/umbrella set up($60 ish), and an extra 430 flash(used for $200ish. or you could get a new vivtar for $85). Then just buy your self a set of black and white sheets for the back drop. 2 430 EX flashes will more than light a small/medium size room for portrait work. And all that gear is very portable. Good enough for the hobbiest like my self.

[TampaFoto]

This is the kit I got . Make an offer . He took my offer and with shipping it came to $200
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SP160-Variable-Power-Professional-Studio-Flash-Set_W0QQitemZ290331259553QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPortab le_Flashes_Strobes?hash=item43991772a1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A30

[Brett]

This is the kit I got . Make an offer . He took my offer and with shipping it came to $200
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SP160-Variable-Power-Professional-Studio-Flash-Set_W0QQitemZ290331259553QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPortab le_Flashes_Strobes?hash=item43991772a1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A30

Thanks. Only 160WS? I'm not sure I could live with that. Do you shoot any couples/small groups?

[TampaFoto]

Here are a couple of shots with my cheap lights and Camera.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8577c.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8583b.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8859b.jpg

[TampaFoto]

Thanks. Only 160WS? I'm not sure I could live with that. Do you shoot any couples/small groups?

Here is my Music group shot with two 160 with the soft boxes on.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_0260cb-1-1.jpg

[TampaFoto]

Thanks. Only 160WS? I'm not sure I could live with that. Do you shoot any couples/small groups?


I have also used them to shoot at the beach as fill lights. They had all the power I needed at a price I could afford. I sure can live with them and should I break one who cares There $ 40.00 for a new head. Square Perfect also has higher power models and kits for just a little more.

[mufutau55]

I don't blame you. As long as they serve your purpose, that's the important thing.

Mufutau

I have also used them to shoot at the beach as fill lights. They had all the power I needed at a price I could afford. I sure can live with them and should I break one who cares There $ 40.00 for a new head. Square Perfect also has higher power models and kits for just a little more.

[Papa Carlo]

Here are a couple of shots with my cheap lights and Camera.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8577c.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8583b.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/tampavallenato/IMG_8859b.jpg
The WB is all over the place. Kind of strange seeing this after 10,000 shots, but I guess it is the result of using subpar strobes.

[Underscore]

I am just starting out and do not have much money to spend but would like to set up a small home portriat studio. I have really started to enjoy taking pics. of babies and small children but am having problems with light. I do have a speedlite 430EX but that is all at this time. I am looking to buy some lights but do not know rather to go with continuous or try for othe flash.
If someone could help with some thoughts on what I would need to just start out it would be a big help.
thanks

What level of your knowledge of lighting and posing would you say your are? You don't, of course, have to buy much to use what you have very well.

I suggest, if you need the help on using light and posing, to look up Dean Collins and Monte Zucker. Hard to go wrong with those guys. You can get info on both from www.software-cinema.com.

[TampaFoto]

The WB is all over the place. Kind of strange seeing this after 10,000 shots, but I guess it is the result of using subpar strobes.

Naaaaaaaa Im just not very good, My post work is subpar and well to tell you the truth, I'm Subpar. Maybe one day I might be a good Photographer or maybe not.

[PLLphotography]

Gorgeous model though. I love the eyes ;)

[dnichols01]

I have little to no knowledgr when it comes to lighting. I just know that with the pics Ihave already done I need some kind of lighting...have shadows on person and back drop. I am trying to learn more and have been reading on the net but thing that I am now more confused then I was. At this point I think I am going to go with a stand, umbrella and wireless trigger and play with that to start with. There is ewally good adviseout there it is just all hard to take in when you are just learning. With this said do you think or wll I need a back groung light to get rid of the shadows in the back of my subject.
Thanks for all of the help and advise.

[TampaFoto]

I do not use a Back light , Would if I had one. Hair light would be nice when using Black back drops. I'm told that soft boxes are much easier to use than umbrellas. Maybe others can answer that better. Good luck and have fun.

[PLLphotography]

i was looking at the set TampaFoto linked up. it looks like it has a LOT of gear to get someone started. I may have to invest in one soon (Gotta start counting my pennies first ;))

[TampaFoto]

For the price it worked for me. I got some great shots along the way with them. And there still going strong.

[PLLphotography]

would something like this work for a beginner?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250485649627&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have a 430EX II flash. thinking maybe get this set and replace one of the lights with my flash, and get a wireless trigger. I see several on ebay ranging from $20 to $50, but all are imports from China. anyone have any experience with any of these?

[mufutau55]

That is a continous light not a strobe light, you don't need a trigger for it.. Personally, I wouldn't get a continous light..

Mufutau

would something like this work for a beginner?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250485649627&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have a 430EX II flash. thinking maybe get this set and replace one of the lights with my flash, and get a wireless trigger. I see several on ebay ranging from $20 to $50, but all are imports from China. anyone have any experience with any of these?

[PLLphotography]

I know it's a continuous light. i was referring to getting a wireless trigger for the 430 EXII flash I have, if I were to take one of the lights and replace it with my flash mounted to the umbrella and stand.

[jmcder53]

i'm hijacking this thread because i was going to ask a similar question.

what about light meters? i'm guessing with digital you sort of do alot of trial and error to figure out light settings. or i'm just bad at figuring out fstops or something.

[SkipD]

I know it's a continuous light. i was referring to getting a wireless trigger for the 430 EXII flash I have, if I were to take one of the lights and replace it with my flash mounted to the umbrella and stand.The color of most continuous lights is quite different from the color of most flash sources. Mixing the color of lighting sources makes it nearly impossible to get the colors correct in an image. It's best to have all your lighting be one type or another.

Flash lighting is usually a lot brighter than continuous lighting without frying your subjects.

[SkipD]

i'm hijacking this thread because i was going to ask a similar question.

what about light meters? i'm guessing with digital you sort of do alot of trial and error to figure out light settings. or i'm just bad at figuring out fstops or something.A good handheld light meter is an invaluable tool, especially if you are trying to set up lighting with manually adjustable flash sources.

My recommendation is a Sekonic L-358. It's probably the most popular meter used by folks here on the forum.