Need a quick lighting tool

First off, I'm preparring to take some senior pictures (for free) for my brother to help out the family and might need lighting for that.

Second, I'm going home for spring break (in a week) and I've had a zillion photoshoot requests. I used to be big into the sports car crowd and did a lot of shooting of my own Mustang and others cars. Its caught on and others want pictures to. I've been kind of pondering using these photoshoots (unpaid, for fun) to practice my lighting.

What are my options? I was thinking about picking up some cheap strobes or a strobe to play with. I don't have much money to drop...so a vegabond/alien bee setup is unattainable by next week.

What are some cheap solutions? I have NEVER used off camera flash so I'd like o list of things to buy and read as well. I've read through most of the stickies and checked out strobist blog. But I dont think I'm going to understand it until I play with it.

A week doesnt get you much time to assemble a kit. Ideally you would probably want 2 flashes, stands, a couple of modifiers (umbrella or softbox) and a set of radio triggers.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11933679
A week doesnt get you much time to assemble a kit. Ideally you would probably want 2 flashes, stands, a couple of modifiers (umbrella or softbox) and a set of radio triggers.

thats what I was thinking, i'm on adoramas site right now looking at options to purchase. its just to practice. i like to ease my way in...i can always sell or upgrade later.

The problem is the cheapest options are available from the far east. Look at the YN 460II on amazon

I'm assuming one strobe/flash umbrella wouldn't do me much good with the automotive stuff :/

I wish people would have started messaging me earlier haha

Shooting cars and senior portraits are two different setups.

If you can't afford a strobe and a battery... you really don't even have enough to buy a Speedlights either. A Canon 580exII costs more than a cheap strobe.

Not sure you can get a "setup" for less than $300-400 that will allow you to shoot cars and portraits. I think you need to be more realistic and pick one first.

Even if you bought two Speedlights with no stands or modifiers or triggers... you are over $500.

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of expensive gear.

KurtGoss wrote in post #11933701
Shooting cars and senior portraits are two different setups.

If you can't afford a strobe and a battery... you really don't even have enough to buy a Speedlights either. A Canon 580exII costs more than a cheap strobe.

Not sure you can get a "setup" for less than $300-400 that will allow you to shoot cars and portraits. I think you need to be more realistic and pick one first.

Even if you bought two Speedlights with no stands or modifiers or triggers... you are over $500.

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of expensive gear.

Sorry but thats not true at all. The YN flashes run $50 each, a two stand and umbrella kit from B&H is$100 Add a $30 set of triggers and you are there for under $250

KurtGoss wrote in post #11933701
Shooting cars and senior portraits are two different setups.

If you can't afford a strobe and a battery... you really don't even have enough to buy a Speedlights either. A Canon 580exII costs more than a cheap strobe.

Not sure you can get a "setup" for less than $300-400 that will allow you to shoot cars and portraits. I think you need to be more realistic and pick one first.

Even if you bought two Speedlights with no stands or modifiers or triggers... you are over $500.

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of expensive gear.

I don't think you have to "welcome" me to expensive gear, see my sig for my lenses I've owned. I've always known that lighting wasn't cheap...but there's got to be an inexpensvie way to learn. 250 dollars seems reasonable to me.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11933713
Sorry but thats not true at all. The YN flashes run $50 each, a two stand and umbrella kit from B&H is$100 Add a $30 set of triggers and you are there for under $250

Thats all I need to learn I'm assuming. I don't want to produce night shots of a car...I'm just wanting to use the lights to bring out details in the wheels and body lines. I see lots of automotive photographers that point strobes at the ground in front of the wheels and darker areas of the car and bounce off the ground.

I will be shooting a black car though in Springfield...and I know thats going to be tough by itself.

For what its worth..I also have a friend willing to sell me a Canon 420EX for 90 bucks, its mint. I thought about using it to learn flash but I dunno a darn thing about on-camera or off-camera flash. Even with a Sto-fen...would it be even worth using for either one of the shoots??

gonzogolf wrote in post #11933713
Sorry but thats not true at all. The YN flashes run $50 each, a two stand and umbrella kit from B&H is$100 Add a $30 set of triggers and you are there for under $250

I am dying to see some of your automotive photography with 2 YN flashes and an umbrella.

KurtGoss wrote in post #11934352
I am dying to see some of your automotive photography with 2 YN flashes and an umbrella.

Automotive photography isnt really my thing. But the kid is on a budget and the method I am suggesting is the cheapest way to get in the game. If you have any suggestions that are more helpful than "damn this is expensive" I'd love to hear them.

Take a look at THIS and THIS from adorama, about $265 plus tax and they offer free shipping.

That's a 150 ws light, light stand, umbrella and a portable battery pack. The nice thing about this kit is that adorama offers a ton of accessories, and you can use the bigger 300ws light with this battery pack if you decide to add lights later.

I think this is a better option than the flashguns..

I've helped guys shoot cars with nothing but a speedlight or 2 and flexible reflectors to bounce light. I was amazed at what you can do on the strobist side. You'll need a trigger system that works in bright sunlight though, so the ST-e2 is not a good candidate. A set of skyports with the flashzebra connector would work. Shooting seniors can be done with the same speedlights, but now you need umbrellas. So it can be done with 1 kit, but for people you may tire of recycle times on the speedlights.

KurtGoss wrote in post #11934352
I am dying to see some of your automotive photography with 2 YN flashes and an umbrella.

go check out Not Stock Photography. John Jackson is one of the best automotive photographers I know, he uses only Nikon SB flashes.

bdpaco wrote in post #11935481
he uses only Nikon SB flashes.

Nikon SB 900 = $400

I guess quite a few here are missing my point. I see people recommending CRAP gear, as if it will get you by for a week or two until you figure out it not what you really need... and then the $250 you invested is wasted and you have to start over and buy again.

There REALLY IS a minimum amount you need to invest in gear. What that minimum amount is can be argued, but even beginner photography courses will recommend a DSLR and one Speedlight.

Ask yourself would YOU buy a $250 setup, or would you save up and get at least ONE Speedlight as your starter kit.

I think it is a disservice to new users to recommend crap gear, knowing they will need to upgrade rather quickly. Just "getting in the game" is usually bad advice, and costs you more money in the long run.