Lighting set-up for a newbie?

[Noni]

If one were to fantasize about a lighting set up, preferably portable, for a newbie, what would it be and why?

I've been reading lots of books on lighting, and was trying to figure out which would be best for indoor portraiture that would be relatively portable...but I just can't figure it out. I have the 580 EX flash, but that doesn't seem to be good for portraits inside...too many shadows and not enough flexibility to handle it. I know I need external lighting, but just can't figure out what would be a good foundation set-up.

Any suggestions? Tried and trues? Do NOT buys? All advice is appreciated, and very welcome.

Best-
Noni

[MTalley]

Depends somewhat on your budget. I recently set myself up with a budget, portable lighting setup for $270 that includes two Vivitar shoemount flashes, two light stands, two umbrellas and various and sundry small items to allow me to trigger the whole setup.

I've yet to pin down a model (i.e. my wife or daughter) to test it all out officially yet.

[mjordan]

One mistake a lot of newbies make when they want to get into more formal lighting is they buy 2 or 3 lights and before they even know how to use one they are trying to use all of them together. Most people new to photography lighting do a lot better if they start with one light and learn the basic setup and positions that you can use it for. Learn how moving it around the subject, raising and lowering it and using different light modifiers (different size umbrellas, softboxes, light panels, etc.) affect how the light appears on your subject. Once you have a good idea of how one light works, then add a second light or large reflector. Portrait lights have to work together and if they are setup wrong you can get clashing highlights, shadows in the wrong place, multiple shadows, too much fill light, etc. that will affect how your pictures look.

If you don't have a willing spouse or kid(s) to be able to practice on, get a maniquinn head or wig head to use as a first subject. The time you take at the beginning will pay off big time later on.

Mike

[JGPhotoZ]

Hey....great place to start shop'n....other than Ebay.....is "Portor's"......and "B and H Photo".
Both have excellent supply. Both provide competitive pricing.
I actually use Photogenic 1500 Power lights. Great to travel with.....easy set up.....built in slave
....and a hard shell case to pack them in. Figure out your budget.......play with the lights. Get a good light meter....and just have fun!!! Also....consider "can lights"....very small....very light weight....run ya about $100 bucks each. But.....they would work well with your flash head.
When I shoot studio......I'll use as many as 5 or more lights. Course...depends on your subject needs. You can get some super cool shadow effects.....shoot'n with one light from the side.
Feel free to check out some of my shots....at http://JGPhotoZ.Net-Model.com
Just remember....have fun....play with different angles....new ideas.

[robertwgross]

I have the 580 EX flash, but that doesn't seem to be good for portraits inside...too many shadows and not enough flexibility to handle it.

Why don't you try something traditional?

Use your 580EX as the main light on the left. Use a 420EX as the fill light on the right. Then put any wireless master on the hotshoe.

---Bob Gross---