Starter Light Setup?

[golfingguy27]

Ok, so I am starting to think about trying some portrait photography and more specifically Glamour/Nudes. I know that lighting is VERY important in creating the mood etc you are going for with these types of shots. My question is this.. for somebody that isn't sure how far they will go in this direction, but wants to experiment, what is the minimum/least expensive combination of lights/flashes to get away with and be able to get decent results? I know it is a vague question, but I'm just throwing it out there to get suggestions on what to start watching for in the for sale section. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Todd

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

I'm not a canon person, more of a nikon ;)

Anyway, I bought 3x sb600's and a sb800. I have the umbrella's, stands, clamps, all that fancy stuff. Sure you can buy flashes but then I would look into wireless transmitters as well. BH and Adorama both sell basic lighting strobes with stands, umbrella's, cables for around 150-700 dollars depending on how much money you have. I like my lighting setup. I wouldn't mind an alienbee 1600 though. But then I would have to carry around a battery pack. Costy but really effective. This is how I would go on a lighting setup,

Though you can easily use worklights, lamps at home, etc. Or anything that gives out a big light source.

Sorry if im not much of help but it really depends on how much you want to spend.

[golfingguy27]

thanks for the reply... I guess that is what I am trying to get a feel for (how much I want to spend) Basically, I want to spend the minimum I can and still get decent results. I would love to go with shop light type things if I can do it and not be held back too much. BUT I don't want to end up frustrated and give up because my lighting was holding me back and not giving me the results I wanted. I guess what I am looking for is a range of ideas to choose from and maybe some idea as to how much a very cheap setup would limit me versus a more expensive one, if any of that makes sense. I guess if I did have to put a dollar value on the most I would ideally like to spend intitially, I would say maybe $500 ish? Can I do anything reasonable with that, or is it going to cost me more to get anything worth getting?

[golfingguy27]

ok, let me kind of update things here with some more information. I already have a Canon 430EX flash, and just got a good deal on a 580EX II from the classifieds. Can I get decdent results with just these two flashes or maybe adding one more light? If so, what else should I look into as far as umbrellas, softboxes, mounts/stands etc.? Should I get some sort of off camera setup for the 580 or leave it onboard? I gotthe 580 because I wanted it's extra features and power over the 430 I already have. Will the 430 serve me well, or would I be better off selling it and buying something like an alien bee or something? I am totally new to all of this so please forgive my ignorance and thanks for any advice!

[Jeff5544]

Ok, so I am starting to think about trying some portrait photography and more specifically Glamour/Nudes. I know that lighting is VERY important in creating the mood etc you are going for with these types of shots. My question is this.. for somebody that isn't sure how far they will go in this direction, but wants to experiment, what is the minimum/least expensive combination of lights/flashes to get away with and be able to get decent results? I know it is a vague question, but I'm just throwing it out there to get suggestions on what to start watching for in the for sale section. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Todd
Dear Golfing guy,
I'm in a similar position as you are. I have both the 580ex ane 430. Currently i'm mainly intetested in improving my portrait technique using flash, rather than glamour and nude. I have found the link bleow top be very helpful in getting started with a basic flash setup. The link below is part 1 of the 3 part series (these are all from Canon's web site.) I printed out all 3 parts so I have a manual at hand if needed. Hope this helps. http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2891&fromTips=1

[woodsters]

ok...my answer is going to be one i hate to read....

First of all, while lighting makes a huge difference, it all depends on what you are aiming for. Are you wanting to shoot in studio or outside? if inside, what are your limitations as far as room and ceiling height?

Also, what level are you at in your photography? I mean, yes you could use some other means of lighting and get halfway decent results with some learning, but are you talking about doing it for fun in the bedroom with the wife or are you talking about shooting models? I've done it all. I wouldn't however dare bring out any of the old lighting with a model. They would laugh at me, run out the door and probably call me a pervert or something...lol I've had a couple tell me about going to shoot with guys who had these little tiny point and shoot cameras. Although they may be able to get some decent photos with them, one would have to guess their motives.

Take a look at the links below. I just started shooting models since May. I've shot with 9 different models so far. Only 9 because of real life stuff, like vacation, son graduating, son totaling car, etc.. I've had probably at least 50 others saying they want to shoot with me...so i must be doing halfway decent. I use the Calumet Genesis 200's. I have a pair of them that came with stands and umbrellas. I got them when they were on sale. I think total out the door with tax and shipping was between $300-320 at the time. I like them. I'm still learning with them, but they will always have some use if I ever upgrade. I would like some softboxes, but i'm looking at about another $125-150 per light with the speedrings...its a want and not a need. Would the 400's be better? probably, but i'm happy right now. I shoot inside a double car garage. I have the 9ft seamless paper and stand. I was also given a set of ebay wireless transmittters by someone on the forum here. They work great, I maybe get a misfire once or twice in 400 photos. But it's no big deal...I've shot outside and my only lighting has been a $99 Quantaray flash. The triggers I have won't fire it. I've considered getting a 430ex... to get the flash off the camera. I don't want to pay nearly twice as much for a 580ex. Of course budget all plays into it and what you are doing.

Take a look at my websites in my signature. All the inside shots were used usign the strobes I mentioned....the outdoors were using the cheap flash...you decide whehter it's good enough for you or not. your photos could be better depending on your skills. Also I should mention that I did buy a Tamron lens for about $450 and that made a big difference as well. Also i'm using a Canon Rebel xTi..

[golfingguy27]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write that response Brian. Those lights look like exactly what would be good for me at a reasonable price. I think it would be safe to say that with two of those, my 580, and my 430 I should probably be in pretty good shape for anything I'd want to do for quite some time don't you think? To answer some of your questions, I am pretty early on in my photography learning. This will be my first SLR and first attempts at what I would call "real photography". Initially any shooting of glamour nude would be with friends/girlfriends/etc (I'm single). I'm hoping to find some friends that will let me shoot some pics to learn from without the pressure fo having a model in front of me. For now I would be shooting in a spare room at home which I would say is about 12' by 20' with 8' ceilings. If I got the light package, what else would I need to go along with it? (again, I am totally ignorant on this) I assume I would need some sort of triggering device? By the way, I had also already had that thought about using other forms of lighting and not looking professional if I do get to the point of having some models come for shoots, and it's definately a valid one. I will freely admit, I more or less can be a pervert (lol), but also know I can be professional when need be for something like this. Anyway, thanks for your input so far, and any more input you may give! By the way.. great photos on your site.. hopefully I will be up to that par sometime soon.

Todd

[woodsters]

8' ceilings is kind of limiting...can be done though...lord knows I did it with ghetto lighting in the bedroom with the wife in more confined spaces...lol

Yeah you would need a triggering device...you can spend a couple hundred at best on some pocket wizards type... or go on ebay and buy the cactus type for around $50 or so...I would suggest the latter for right now...you can always upgrade later and sell the others or keep as backups...

Being single is a great thing for you...no limits! Yeah find some friends and practice with them...and let us see the results...lol

Feel free to email or pm me if you have any more questions...

[golfingguy27]

what about something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-FLASH-STROBE-LIGHTS-HOME-STUDIO-KIT-18-Month-Warranty_W0QQitemZ320401532010QQcmdZViewItemQQptZP ortable_Flashes_Strobes?hash=item4a996b646a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Would it likely be too cheap and likely to not work or is it a good possibility for an inexpensive way to do some experimenting?

[woodsters]

you are only getting 75w on those lights...you could try, but remember you get what you pay for. Personally i would not buy that...i'm cheap...but thats too cheap for me... Here's what I bought...mine were about $80 cheaper when I bought them last november...

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/

[golfingguy27]

yeah, I was on calumet's website earlier looking at them. Too bad I didn't catch them on sale, but I guess the price now isn't bad if they are decent stuff. I am going to check out triggering devices now on ebay. I will see what I find, if you happen to have a link to the ones you talked about that would be great. I've been doing a lot of reading in the last month or so about techniques, equipment, etc, but there is so much to think about at once, and lighting is definately a foreign subject to me up til now.

[woodsters]

i'll look...reading is good, but hands on experience is even better...

[woodsters]

This is the type I have...i have 3 recievers (on doesn't work), but you only need one. You can set the other strobe to flash when the other does... http://cgi.ebay.com/4-channel-Flash-Wireless-Trigger-PT-04-TM-PT-04TM-set_W0QQitemZ270438017695QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Flash_Accessories?hash=item3ef75caa9f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[golfingguy27]

cool, and thanks for the link! So does that mount in the hotshoe in the camera? If it does, that means I can't use my 580EX II or 430EX II along with them? I have so much learning to do!! And by the way.. when talking to me about glamour/nudes, don't mention "hands on" because you will tempt me and that would end bad for sure!

[woodsters]

no....you use a syn cord to plug into the genesis light... you cna use that hot shoe for your speedlights though without the sync cord though I think...just have to mount that receiver somewhere....it would not make any sense to put the flash on the receiver and then put the receiver on the camera....

[golfingguy27]

gotcha... I think... lol

[golfingguy27]

Ok, another question... I am 90% sure I am going to go ahead and give the Calumet 2 light set a try, my question is if I should just go ahead and get this http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0049/ from them and not have to worry about getting anything from anybody else. I don't mind spending the extra money especially if Calumet has a better rep. than the ebay ones you (Brian) mentioned. Is there any reason one of these won't be just as good or better than the ones you sent me the link for? Also, will I need anything else at all (wires etc) to make it all work for me? Don't want to order it and get all excited, only to find out I need a cable I don't have!

[woodsters]

Don't think it will be any worse...should work fine....everything should be with it...

[Thierry boudan]

If you are trying to get it real cheap

Bunnings sell the "painters hot lights" ( x3 2 lights on each stand) $40 bucks a pop - change the halogen globes to the white ones about $6.00 ea

Reflect the light - dont apply directly to your subject -

white perspex does the trick or thin wood painted white

This got me started - had to play around with the white balance but cheap way to get you going until you can get strobes

[AlanW]

ok...my answer is going to be one i hate to read....

First of all, while lighting makes a huge difference, it all depends on what you are aiming for. Are you wanting to shoot in studio or outside? if inside, what are your limitations as far as room and ceiling height?

Also, what level are you at in your photography? I mean, yes you could use some other means of lighting and get halfway decent results with some learning, but are you talking about doing it for fun in the bedroom with the wife or are you talking about shooting models? I've done it all. I wouldn't however dare bring out any of the old lighting with a model. They would laugh at me, run out the door and probably call me a pervert or something...lol I've had a couple tell me about going to shoot with guys who had these little tiny point and shoot cameras. Although they may be able to get some decent photos with them, one would have to guess their motives.

Take a look at the links below. I just started shooting models since May. I've shot with 9 different models so far. Only 9 because of real life stuff, like vacation, son graduating, son totaling car, etc.. I've had probably at least 50 others saying they want to shoot with me...so i must be doing halfway decent. I use the Calumet Genesis 200's. I have a pair of them that came with stands and umbrellas. I got them when they were on sale. I think total out the door with tax and shipping was between $300-320 at the time. I like them. I'm still learning with them, but they will always have some use if I ever upgrade. I would like some softboxes, but i'm looking at about another $125-150 per light with the speedrings...its a want and not a need. Would the 400's be better? probably, but i'm happy right now. I shoot inside a double car garage. I have the 9ft seamless paper and stand. I was also given a set of ebay wireless transmittters by someone on the forum here. They work great, I maybe get a misfire once or twice in 400 photos. But it's no big deal...I've shot outside and my only lighting has been a $99 Quantaray flash. The triggers I have won't fire it. I've considered getting a 430ex... to get the flash off the camera. I don't want to pay nearly twice as much for a 580ex. Of course budget all plays into it and what you are doing.

Take a look at my websites in my signature. All the inside shots were used usign the strobes I mentioned....the outdoors were using the cheap flash...you decide whehter it's good enough for you or not. your photos could be better depending on your skills. Also I should mention that I did buy a Tamron lens for about $450 and that made a big difference as well. Also i'm using a Canon Rebel xTi..


It also depends on your lense, f/2.8 or f/4-5.6 etc... I like natural light for my glamour shots, depends on time of day and how you want your finished prduct to look.