I wanted to get started taking portraits

[BlackRob]

I am looking into getting started with portaits. I am looking into getting an Ab1600 and Vagabond power source, but the things that confuse me are what type of modifiers and when to use them.
Most people tell me to get a beauty dish because its the most vesitile, but I also would like how and when to use things like grids, softboxes, octaboxes, strip boxes, moonlights and so own. Could someone take the time to break this down for me, or point me to a site that will.
Thanks!

[CosmoKid]

Wow. Thats a lot of info crammed in to one post. Even if someone could break this all down for you, you will understand it better as you grow with it.

strobist.com is a good place to get started, as is the lighting section here.

An AB1600 is one powerful light which you will likely never use to full capacity unless you are trying to overpower the sun. You would be better off with 2 AB800s for some flexibility.

Softboxes, octoboxes and strip lights are similar in the light they produce. They are all softboxes, just different shapes. How large they are will effect the type of light you get. Grids help control the light spill.

I would recommend starting with an umbrella or square/rectangular softbox before worrying about anything else.

When to use what modifiers is going to be up to you. What type of shot you are trying to achieve at that time. practice will be the best way to learn what each light source does.

Start small and work your way up. Buy 2 ABs and start by using one with an umbrella. Then use one with a softbox. Then try 2 lights, etc, etc....

[gonzogolf]

If you are going to be shooting anywhere other than outside at noon, or perhaps you are shooting battleships, then consider something less than the ab1600. I have one and its simply too powerful for most indoor applications. When you turn it down you are still overpowering the room and the bees have a red color cast at the bottom of the power curve.

[ChrisBlaze]

As I look around the web, I really enjoy outdoor portraits. Thats why I was looking into getting the AB1600. But I'll look into 2 AB800's. Is a grid only good for indoor use to catch light spills?

[43 North]

I have been practicing a lot of outdoor mid day shots. So far my B800 has been just fine for power. I usually stop down the ambient 1/2 or 1 stop anyway.

[gonzogolf]

As I look around the web, I really enjoy outdoor portraits. Thats why I was looking into getting the AB1600. But I'll look into 2 AB800's. Is a grid only good for indoor use to catch light spills?Grids can be used anywhere you want to limit the spread of the light from strobe. They limit the width of the circle of light cast by the strobe, or softbox they are attached to.

[gonzogolf]

I have been practicing a lot of outdoor mid day shots. So far my B800 has been just fine for power. I usually stop down the ambient 1/2 or 1 stop anyway.
Yep, the advice to get a 1600 is for those users who want to truly overpower the sun, making it look dark mid day. Stopping the ambient down 3 or 4 stops so you drastically darken the sky.

[BlackRob]

As I look around the web, I really enjoy outdoor portraits. Thats why I was looking into getting the AB1600. But I'll look into 2 AB800's. Is a grid only good for indoor use to catch light spills?

If you are going to be shooting anywhere other than outside at noon, or perhaps you are shooting battleships, then consider something less than the ab1600. I have one and its simply too powerful for most indoor applications. When you turn it down you are still overpowering the room and the bees have a red color cast at the bottom of the power curve.


Can you show some examples of where a grid would be better that a dish? Also I'd love to see some "over powering" the sun shots.

[gonzogolf]

Just to be clear, a grid is an attachment that goes on the front of a reflector, or softbox to limit the spread of light. If you are just getting started I suggest you steer clear of the beauty dish until you get used to your lights. The beauty dish is the flavor of the week, but they are kind of hard to use properly. Start with a softbox see what it can do for you and then go from there.

Here is a shot overpowering the sun. Taken around mid day with an AB 1600 and a beauty dish. This was a test shot.
http://kevin-jones.smugmug.com/Other/My-Family/Mickster4/731160080_oD4rY-L.jpg



This is a shot where the AB 1600 was in a softbox and some effort was made to darken the sky but maintain some balance

http://kevin-jones.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Portfolio/Brian1A/824064722_47g2h-L-1.jpg

[CalPiker]

Check out this link - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=251549 and post #8 by Lighting Man. That post and some of the other posts in it have some great info.