advice needed: lighting a small studio

And by small, I mean small. I shoot mainly newborns and small kids. I'm looking to set up a small studio in my basement and need advice on lighting. I'm not looking to break the bank, but I don't want bargain basement either. I don't even know where to start!

Here's my website (there are a few examples of my newborn work here): www.jephotography.ca

There are more options than one can hardly even imagine here. How much do you want to spend? Do you want a constant lights? Studio Strobes? Portable speed lite options?

I personally like the strobist speed lite route. I can keep ETTL this way and I can be portable. It might not be the cheapest option though and the overall power level in light output is pretty weak compared to a set of high bang for the buck Alien Bee's.

Here are two blogs I find interesting for strobist type stuff:
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/
http://pixsylated.com/​blog/

There are also a lot of youtube video's under the B&H photography that cover the studio stuff more:

http://www.youtube.com …deoProAudio/vid​eos?view=0

FEChariot wrote in post #15024359
There are more options than one can hardly even imagine here. How much do you want to spend? Do you want a constant lights? Studio Strobes? Portable speed lite options?

That's the problem - I don't know enough to know what I don't know

I'm willing to spend what it takes to not buy crap that I'll have to replace in a year. But I don't really know what range that puts me in.

FEChariot wrote in post #15024359
I personally like the strobist speed lite route. I can keep ETTL this way and I can be portable. It might not be the cheapest option though and the overall power level in light output is pretty weak compared to a set of high bang for the buck Alien Bee's.

Here are two blogs I find interesting for strobist type stuff:
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/
http://pixsylated.com/​blog/

There are also a lot of youtube video's under the B&H photography that cover the studio stuff more:

http://www.youtube.com …deoProAudio/vid​eos?view=0

Thank you, I will check out those blogs and videos this evening.

Well, I can tell you what I am using so you can get an idea of the cost. Once again this is a mobile based platform for me to go on the go.

I have the 580EXII and 2 430 EXII's that I use for light sources and I can either trigger tham with a 10meter ETTL cord, the 580 in the hot shoe as a master or using the 7D pop master flash.

I only have umbrella's because they were a cheap start for me, but I am looking into softboxes next.

For modifiers I have the following:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Umbrella_White_​Satin.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ushioned_Light_​Stand.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …cket_with_Adjus​table.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …sible_Umbrella_​Flash.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_in_1_Reflector​_Disc.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …r_Large_Positio​nable.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ROGUEGRID_Rogue​_Grid.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Lighting_Filte​r_Kit.html

I also picked up some white and black fabric from the local Joann's fabrics for backdrops.

If I was going to set up a studio in a garage or basement and not have to move it around, then I would have started with the Alien Bee's for the light source instead of speedlites.

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/alienbees.php

ellioj wrote in post #15024268
And by small, I mean small.

Might I ask how big is small?

Wayne

ellioj wrote in post #15024484
I'm willing to spend what it takes to not buy crap that I'll have to replace in a year. But I don't really know what range that puts me in.

There are many high quality strobe manufacturers to choose from but if I was setting up a new studio I would probably go with Elinchrom. For a small studio I would suggest this kit.
If on a budget then look here.

Channel One wrote in post #15024690
Might I ask how big is small?

Wayne

It's going to be in my basement. I'd have to measure...I'd hate to guess at the square feet. Basically it's going in a corner of the family room, and the lights (and backdrop stand) will get packed away after use. So I guess they need to be somewhat portable as well.

You don't need much room. What's your budget?

Very creative work!

I would never suggest setting up with modified hotshoe flashes (the Strobist Doctrine) for portrait work unless you ABSOLUTELY need the portability hotshoes provide.

Any studio flash, including the Chinese eBay versions, would be superior to hotshoe modifications. Because of:

1. Modeling light capability

2. Usually considerably higher power

3. Modeling light capability

4. Better use of light modifiers

5. Modeling light capability

6. Steady recharge times because of A/C power

7. Modeling light capability

8. They fit on stands without modifying accessories

Oh yes, did I mention... The stydio flash is better for portraiture because of its modeling light capability. You have What You See Is What You Get ability...

You CAN achieve decent lighting with hotshoe flashes, McNally does! But, you can also boil ice cubes to make tea. It is possible but, certainly not the most efficient method of making a cup of tea!

Continuous lighting needs to be bright which is often uncomfortable for humans (especially babies).

Adorams Flashpoint Monolight setups are qite decent for the price...

ellioj wrote in post #15040625
It's going to be in my basement. I'd have to measure...I'd hate to guess at the square feet. Basically it's going in a corner of the family room, and the lights (and backdrop stand) will get packed away after use. So I guess they need to be somewhat portable as well.

Since you are working with a small space you will not need a whole lot of candlepower so you might want to consider using a continuous lighting system, you can build a very nice three light system utilizing two Lowell Pro-Lights and a single Omni-Light which in addition to being very nicely constructed are focusable giving you a lot more latitude in lighting, the entire kit including barn doors, generic umbrellas and stands can be had for just around $700 which is considerably less than a name brand equal quality of construction strobe setup.

Another advantage to continuous lighting is you see what you are getting in real time, easing up the learning curve increasing the professional look and actually for a while eliminating the need to purchase a light meter.

And should you decide to do some video you are ready to go with continuous which strobes being just a flash in the dark cannot provide.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ht_Focus_Flood_​Light.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Light_500_Watt_​Focus.html

Wayne

one thing to consider in the small studio space is it is sometimes difficult to get even BG lighting for white BG shots because the lights are close to the backdrop and falloff is a big deal then. This can make you up the power of the lights to blow everything out leading to contrast robbing light bleed around the subject. just something to keep in mind. If you can set it up to have some space between the subject and backdrop it will help a lot.