Basic Studio Lighting

I've spent HOURS researching this, especially looking through posts on here, but am still not finding what I want so I thought maybe you guys could help.

I am opening up my new studio in July and wanted to get my lights in order to get some practice in before opening the studio. Until now I've been using my on-camera 580 EX II and a 430 EX II with an umbrella when I needed extra light. However, my old studio had a ton of natural light so added light wasn't always needed. The new studio is a bit darker and the area I will use to shoot has hardly any window lighting at all and I just don't feel my current set-up will work. Plus, I use the 430 EX II as an on-camera flash for my assistant at weddings and I'd prefer to save it for that use exclusively if I can.

Few things...

-I will be shooting mostly newborn and boudoir photography in my studio as everything else will still be done outside using natural and fill lighting. I also do small animal portraits (i.e. rats, hamsters, rabbits, etc.) in a light tent and would love for the set-up to work for all of my needs.

-I have about $300 to spend but would prefer to keep it around $250 or even less if possible. I'd love to get two AlienBees B800s with two foldable softboxes, but it's just not in the budget. Though I think I'll be able to upgrade in a year so this kit only needs to last that long.

-I've pretty much decided on strobes since I think that's more comfortable for my newborn clients (CFLs, while not hot, are still very bright).

-I'm leaning towards Softboxes this time instead of Umbrellas because everything I've read suggests they spread the lighting better and this has been the problem with my current set-up. I'm not a lighting pro by any means and spend too much time adjusting the umbrella and less time shooting right now.

-I don't feel I need to shoot at ISO 100, I am comfortable with ISO 400 or even 800 if I have to, but obviously I want the best lighting possible for my budget.

Any advice or kit suggestions are welcome! Thank you!

PeaceFire wrote in post #12268064
-I don't feel I need to shoot at ISO 100, I am comfortable with ISO 400 or even 800 if I have to, but obviously I want the best lighting possible for my budget.

You have a TON of questions, but I want to respond to the above statement.

Understanding lighting is directly related to the amount of light. And understanding the amount needed is the difference between good and poor lighting techniques. But of course, "more" light usually costs more money.

With that said, I think for indoor studio work, you should always be setting a goal of shooting at ISO 100 --- and add the correct amount of light to get proper exposure. If you are shooting at ISO 800 in the studio, then you don't have the right gear.

You will have to learn this by experience, because there is no one correct amount of gear for any photographer. But I will suggest that studio lighting does not need to be powerful amount of light for small setups. Head shots, one person portraits, tabletop, and as you mentioned, small animals are NOT going to take a large amount of light to shoot at ISO 100.

Understanding "what" amount of light is the most important. For anyone who is "starting" a studio, I suggest you visit other working photographers and see exactly what gear they are using -- so you can then decide what you will need.

If your budget is $300, I would suggest you get one Alien Bee B800. That would only be one light. Learn how to use just one light with reflectors as fill. And start saving for a second light. Otherwise you will spend you $300 on something cheap with very little power, and once you outgrow that setup -- you will be back right where you are now -- and need to start getting some serious gear. Start small, but buy a setup that you can expand on. Don't buy a setup that you will end up throwing out and starting from scratch again. Alien Bees are considered entry level, but you can still get "pro" quality results. And you can add more Alien Bees rather inexpensively, especially since they came out with the newer Einstein model, all the previous models are rather inexpensive on Ebay and the secondary market.

Are you planning on getting both strobe and softbox for under 300.00?
I'd shop used...

Practice, practice, practice ...BEFORE you open your studio. When you have clients is NOT the time to be learning!!!!

PeaceFire wrote in post #12268064
-I'm leaning towards Softboxes this time instead of Umbrellas because everything I've read suggests they spread the lighting better and this has been the problem with my current set-up. I'm not a lighting pro by any means and spend too much time adjusting the umbrella and less time shooting right now.

In my experience the umbrella has a much wider spread than the softbox, though admittedly I shoot almost exclusively shoot-throughs. Considering how relatively cheap umbrellas are it would be stupid to not get at least one.

I just found out there is a Uclick rentable studio with lights near my house. That would be a fantastic way to learn about lighting.

Just to clarify - you are looking to buy multiple strobes and a softbox for $300 after tax? Would you consider Yongnuo flashes?

So what do the 580 and 430 lack that you want? You should be able to get the power you need out of them for a controlled studio environment. I'd say to get a YN-460II or two, and then spend some money on a few softboxes or a Beautydish.

Wilt wrote in post #12268478
Practice, practice, practice ...BEFORE you open your studio. When you have clients is NOT the time to be learning!!!!

Good advice from Wilt.

I have a 430 EXII and a YN560. I am getting one more... I have the Steve Kaeser umbrella soft boxes, and a cheetah qbox 24. I feel that I can do a lo with this set p.. once I learn how to shape light... with help from Wilt. and others....

Wilt wrote in post #12268478
Practice, practice, practice ...BEFORE you open your studio. When you have clients is NOT the time to be learning!!!!

I've been shooting for 3 years. Portraits and weddings. And as stated in my original post, I was getting by just fine using mostly ambient light because my studio has a TON of natural light (and entire wall is windows plus two windows on another wall. This new studio is a lot darker hence the need for more lighting. And, again, if you'd read my post you'd know that I was looking to get these lights now before opening my studio in July.

JMartel wrote in post #12269076
So what do the 580 and 430 lack that you want? You should be able to get the power you need out of them for a controlled studio environment. I'd say to get a YN-460II or two, and then spend some money on a few softboxes or a Beautydish.

It's not really that the 580 and 430 are lacking anything, in fact I intend to still use the 580. It's just that I've recently expanded my company to include another photographer who uses my 430 for fill when doing on-location shoots. We are double booked a few times this summer and I'd rather not have one of us be without the 430 so I was looking into more options.

And thanks! I'm starting to lean towards the YN-460/560 route after reading other replies on other threads. Maybe that coupled with an Alienbee to start.

jackerin wrote in post #12268862
In my experience the umbrella has a much wider spread than the softbox, though admittedly I shoot almost exclusively shoot-throughs. Considering how relatively cheap umbrellas are it would be stupid to not get at least one.

I already have one that I use with my 430 now. Though I actually have never tried to shoot through. I used it so rarely I never really tried to look into it's full potential. I will definitely practice some shoot through techniques! Thank you!

I'm was getting down to debating between the Gensis and Alienbee. Any advice on these two? I'd probably pick up a YN-560 to use with my umbrella when the 430 isn't available.

RandyMN wrote in post #12268456
Are you planning on getting both strobe and softbox for under 300.00?
I'd shop used...

This one is under $300: http://www.calumetphot​o.com …200_soft_box_ki​t/cf0502k2

PeaceFire wrote in post #12269901
I've been shooting for 3 years. Portraits and weddings. And as stated in my original post, I was getting by just fine using mostly ambient light because my studio has a TON of natural light (and entire wall is windows plus two windows on another wall. This new studio is a lot darker hence the need for more lighting. And, again, if you'd read my post you'd know that I was looking to get these lights now before opening my studio in July.

Respectfully, when a new piece of equipment is purchased, whether it be a camera, lens, flash etc, it's a good idea to go through a process of testing to see where its limitations lie..