1 light Setup

[mkville]

Hey guys, I have been learning to understand the dynamics and importance of good lighting and would l like to build myself a smail kit to begin with. On the Alien Bees Site there is a begginers package which consist of
1 B800
1 CB1 Single Light Carrying Bag
1 LS3050 10-foot General Purpose Stand
1 U48TWB 48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella

for the price it isn't bad. For shooting portriats and head shots on a budget, will this setup be enough.

Thanks all

[Seanzky]

That and a reflector or any big white board you have lying around should do.

[Muskydave22]

You should be able to pull off some great setups with that one light, just one question are you going to be using the sync cord to trigger it? That only allows you 15 ft of movement from the light. I would invest in some cybersyncs

Dave

[Seanzky]

You should be able to pull off some great setups with that one light, just one question are you going to be using the sync cord to trigger it? That only allows you 15 ft of movement from the light. I would invest in some cybersyncs

Dave

He can optically trigger the B800 with his pop-up flash, too. Since he isn't asking about the Vagabond, I suspect he's thinking of doing indoors which should work just as well --the optical triggering that is.

[dmward]

I agree with the suggestion to add wireless trigger for the light.

There is a Lighting Experiment page on my tutorial site that illustrates how to use a shoot through and reflector to get close to the same lighting available from a large window.
I would also consider the PLM white unit with the spill kill front panel as an option to the shoot through.
Its a great modifier.

I think the pop up flash only does TTL type work and the pre-flash will fire the B800 too early. If the pop-up flash can be set to manual without the pre-flash then it will work as a trigger for the optical sensor on the B800. Using the optical sensor, be mindful that if its pointing toward a window and your triggering flash is across the room the optical sensor may not see the flash.

[mkville]

Thanks for the replies guys, I actually never thought about a trigger of any sort to be honest, good idea. Right now we have a spare room which I envison setting this up, so there won't be a ton of room for me to manuver around to much. Also I never knew I could trigger the D800 with the pop up flash from the Cam.

DMWard , will definetly check out your tutorial

Thank You

[gonzogolf]

He can optically trigger the B800 with his pop-up flash, too. Since he isn't asking about the Vagabond, I suspect he's thinking of doing indoors which should work just as well --the optical triggering that is.


Triggering it with the popup means you have the light from the popup blasting the subject from head on. The purpose of getting off camera lighting is to avoid harsh light from the camera...

[mkville]

@Seanzky you mentioned a reflector, would the reflector on the unit not be big enough?? On B800 there is a 7" one there now , do I need a bigger one ??

[int2str]

Look here for inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH84-pA7p-c

[Seanzky]

@Seanzky you mentioned a reflector, would the reflector on the unit not be big enough?? On B800 there is a 7" one there now , do I need a bigger one ??

No I don't mean the parabolic reflector. I mean something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/639214-REG/Creative_Light_100844_20_Translucent_Reflector_.ht ml

That way you can have a "second light source".

[Seanzky]

Triggering it with the popup means you have the light from the popup blasting the subject from head on. The purpose of getting off camera lighting is to avoid harsh light from the camera...

From a good distance, it can be your "fill". :lol:

[mkville]

@int2str, that video is exactly what I've been looking for

@seanzky thanks for clarifying, I understand what you mean now.

Thanks guys, this is all good info to work with.

What about backgrounds, could I just use the white wall from the room, or is a background sheet recomended???

[Seanzky]

@int2str, that video is exactly what I've been looking for

@seanzky thanks for clarifying, I understand what you mean now.

Thanks guys, this is all good info to work with.

What about backgrounds, could I just use the white wall from the room, or is a background sheet recomended???

Playing around with the white wall, with gels or strobe, will eventually lead you to the type of background you will need. To rush into a background, even if highly recommended, could end up as a disappointment. It can be a popular background but something you're not looking for.

[mkville]

As I suspected, thank you Sean

[tomd]

Look here for inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH84-pA7p-c

great 6 minute video, thanks for posting

[snyderman]

Mkville:

I just MADE a reflector using a piece of cardboard from the packaging of a 50" Panasonic plasma TV. One long side of the box was about 36" w and 60" long. Went to Wal-Mart and bought 5 sheets of white poster board for about $6. Used elmer's glue to attach posterboard to thick cardboard.

Trimmed edges. Instant reflector!

You're going about this the right way. Buy the gear you mentioned, make yourself a reflector and start shooting. You'll be ahead of some of us who 'overbought' and still don't know how to use what we have!

Good luck and keep us posted with some shots and soon.

dave

[mkville]

Thanks for this tip Dave, and thanks for the encourgement. Part of my problem is time to take shots during the day is limited because of work and around here this time of year it's dark at 4:30 so not much for natural light for me, however if I can setup a controlled enviroment maybe I can get some quailty shots like you guys here.

Thanks for all the help guys I appriciate it

I definetly will post when I'm up and going, which will be soon, maybe Santa just might slip a set under the tree

[RPCrowe]

See:

http://www.prophotolife.com/video-library/

for a selection of video tutorials which should help...