Starter Lighting setup for tattoos

[professorman]

I am going to be covering a tattoo convention soon, and will be doing some photoshoots with some models, but the problem is, I do not have a good lighting setup. I am still a total newb to lighting, and havent gotten around to reading up on it much as yet.

I would like some recommendation on a budget lighting setup. My budget is about $200. Or even something I can start off with, and later add to it, to later build a complete kit for about $400-$500. I have come to like ETTL, where I do not have to worry about getting wrong exposures. I guess I will need wireless triggers as well.

I see some kits on amazon for $200 with radio triggers and stuff.
What do you think of something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-3-Light-Strobe-Flash-Studio/dp/B001AJ1AIQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I have heard about Alien Bees a lot, but dont really know much about them.

Overall, I need a good lighting setup, and this opportunity might be a good one for me, if I can pull off some amazing pictures. I might get the opportunity to work with some magazines and such. I do not want to 'over-invest' and it not work out, but I do not want it to not work out just because I was really lacking something. I would like to know my options.

Lighting:
-Speedlite 430 EX
- 5-in-1 reflector kit

Camera Equipment:
-50D, XSi
-Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 28-135 IS, Canon 55-250 IS EF-S
-Tripod, monopod

[dmward]

For a basic setup you have all the lighting you need.
Add a remote trigger --the RF-602 discussed here in several threads is a good one for your 430EX.
Get a light stand and shoot through umbrella with a flash cold shoe mount.

Then practice with the light and reflector so you know what exposures will give you the look you want.

430EX and Shoot through umbrella will be at its limit for full length but will be fine for partial torso shots.

Hang a white sheet on the wall for a background.

Good starting place is light at 45 degrees to subject and at least 18" above the head pointed down so the tip of the umbrella is aimed about about the neck. (maybe even a bit lower is closer to full length.)

Also feather the umbrella toward the other side of the subject and place the reflector so it bounces the light back into the subject. from just off the lens axis.

There are probably a dozen lighting diagrams floating around the internet (maybe even this site) that will help you understand this setup.

[TMR Design]

When I shoot tattoos I do not diffuse the light source. I find that the soft light and diffusion reduce contrast and I don't get the same definition and saturation of color.

I will usually use a strobe with a reflector and a grid or a beauty dish and grid to keep the light very directional and maintain contrast.

You have to play with the positioning of the strobe so as to avoid specular highlights from appearing smack in the middle of the tattoo. It can be tricky but very possible.

[dpds68]

Subscribing , A local artist and I are in the process of setting up a photo option for his clients .

I will be photographing them as they are fresh wont the "Goo" cause weird highlights ?


David

[professorman]

So, what do you think of that amazon lighting kit that I posted in the first post?

[TMR Design]

So, what do you think of that amazon lighting kit that I posted in the first post?

I don't recommend that kit. There isn't much information given about the strobes. I suspect is has a modeling light that may not be user replaceable. The modeling light is more than likely only an on/off switch and not proportional to the flash tube.

A 24" softbox can certainly be a nice thing but the Gold umbrella is not the best choice. Sure, umbrellas are cheap and you can add them for very little but I don't understand why the supplied umbrella is gold. White and silver are more desirable and usable. For lighting people you're going to get a bronze or yellow tint that may look nice on some skin but an a lot of skin it's going to look like $hit.

I think you can do better and get something that will be better suited to what you want to shoot.

[professorman]

What would be a good all purpose portrait lighting kit that I can just buy? SOmething that can fit my budget...

[TMR Design]

You'd be better off looking at something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569824-REG/Interfit_INT182_EX150_MK2_Two_Monolight.html

or this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404508-REG/Impact_EX100A_2KII_Two_Monolight_Kit_.html

or this:

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

OR you can save a little money and get a one light kit, add a white/silver reflector and use the extra money for a softbox or an umbrella (whichever the kit doesn't come with) and perhaps some grids since tattoos look great with high contrast directional lighting.

If you wanted radio triggers you can go with the inexpensive but very reliable Yongnuo triggers, like these kit:

For 1 strobe:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-Set-CTR-301-P-with-PC-Sync-Port_W0QQitemZ160372803515QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item2556f6c7bb#ht_4004wt_1167

For 2 strobes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CTR-301P-Wireless-Flash-Trigger-2-Receiver-w-PC-Sync_W0QQitemZ150365663990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item23027df2f6

For 3 strobes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Flash-Trigger-3-Receiver-CTR-301-P-w-PC-Cable_W0QQitemZ180380462743QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item29ff836e97#ht_4004wt_1167

[professorman]

What do you think of a lighting kit like this, with 2 light setup? Someone has one for sale locally. 2 umbrellas, and 2 of these lamps.

http://www.jtl-lighting.com/j-160-kits.html

[TMR Design]

What do you think of a lighting kit like this, with 2 light setup? Someone has one for sale locally. 2 umbrellas, and 2 of these lamps.

http://www.jtl-lighting.com/j-160-kits.html

The strobes me be good but the problem with kits like that is that you want to know if the modeling light and flash tube are available as a replacement part. Some are not. The modeling light is on or off so there is no proportionality with the flash tube or between strobes.

The biggest downside is that you're limited to using umbrellas or umbrella-like modifiers. If you want to use standard softboxes, octas or strips you can't. If you want to use reflectors with grids or barn doors you can't.

I suppose that if you can get something like that dirt cheap then it's cool to start and learn but it would really have to be super cheap to make it worth your while.

[professorman]

Is $200 cheap enough for a 2 light setup with this kit? I want to do "on location" with backdrop shooting at events, as well as portraits and modeling in my home studio.

Do you mean that the power can not be adjusted? Isnt there an adjustment knob on the back of this light? Can I use ETTL with this? How does ETTL or my 430 EX flash work when I get something like this?

I was worried about the power output, because I do not know how much power is "good enough" or how much is an average amount of power that I would want. I think these are 160Watts.

[TMR Design]

Is $200 cheap enough for a 2 light setup with this kit? I want to do "on location" with backdrop shooting at events, as well as portraits and modeling in my home studio.

Do you mean that the power can not be adjusted? Isnt there an adjustment knob on the back of this light? Can I use ETTL with this? How does ETTL or my 430 EX flash work when I get something like this?

I was worried about the power output, because I do not know how much power is "good enough" or how much is an average amount of power that I would want. I think these are 160Watts.

I don't know the actual 'value' of that kit but I would only take it if the whole thing was under $100. I understand budgetary constraints but if that's what it's all about then I would still opt to get a better strobe in a one light kit that offered me the option of a modeling light that tracked the output of the flash and let me use accessories and modifiers other than an umbrella.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, you can get some nice single light kits and add a reflector and you're all set for all kinds of really great work.

[professorman]

What do you think of this kit?

http://www.adorama.com/NTSML1502.html

My friend shoots with it with Nikon film camera, and he is offering to sell it to me, but I do not know much about connecting these lights to my camera and stuff. Are these compatible with my camera without being too much work to get going?

[mufutau55]

Why not try the Calumet Genesis 200W 2 light Kit, everyone here seems to like them a lot.. and they are on sale right now only $299.

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

This is Elinchrom compatible..

Mufutau

What do you think of this kit?

http://www.adorama.com/NTSML1502.html

My friend shoots with it with Nikon film camera, and he is offering to sell it to me, but I do not know much about connecting these lights to my camera and stuff. Are these compatible with my camera without being too much work to get going?

[TMR Design]

What do you think of this kit?

http://www.adorama.com/NTSML1502.html

My friend shoots with it with Nikon film camera, and he is offering to sell it to me, but I do not know much about connecting these lights to my camera and stuff. Are these compatible with my camera without being too much work to get going?

What is your friend asking for that kit? Unless it's a ridiculously amazing price I would skip it and go for the Genesis strobes that are on sale now at Calumet.

[Jim M]

What do you think of this kit?

http://www.adorama.com/NTSML1502.html

My friend shoots with it with Nikon film camera, and he is offering to sell it to me, but I do not know much about connecting these lights to my camera and stuff. Are these compatible with my camera without being too much work to get going?
In general, Novatrons wear like iron and the company has been around for a good long while, although I understand it was recently sold. They are not considered top end stuff, but neither are Genisis. Service is good, although in the reorganization of the company, I understand that the service people have their own company now. It's made in the USA, if that matters to you - kind of a rarity these days. Their monolights have user replaceable flash tubes. If you can get a good deal on it, I would go for it.

These and any other studio type flash you get will be manual and will require a PC cord (not related to Personal Computer) or a radio trigger to connect it to the camera. One monolight will fire from the camera by means of the cord or radio trigger and a light sensing slave will fire the other when it sees the first one flash. They are compatible with any camera that has some means of connecting to them, but as I said, they have manual light adjustment so will not work in an automatic mode to get the proper exposure. You will have to measure the light and adjust the camera and/or the flash to get a proper exposure. Your friend can probably help you figure that part out.

[professorman]

Are you saying that almost all studio lights are manual, so I can forget the easiness of exposure adjusting and ETTL like how it is with my speedlite?

[thebishopp]

Consider these: http://www.adorama.com/FPBF160.html

[TMR Design]

Are you saying that almost all studio lights are manual, so I can forget the easiness of exposure adjusting and ETTL like how it is with my speedlite?

All studio strobes are used with your camera in Manual mode. There is no E-TTL with strobes. That only exists with Speedlight's and E-TTL compatible shoe mount flash units.

[Jim M]

Are you saying that almost all studio lights are manual, so I can forget the easiness of exposure adjusting and ETTL like how it is with my speedlite?
Not almost all - all.