Complete Newbie here..... thank you all for some great information..

I am so glad that I have finally pulled the trigger on purchasing my 1st T3i, with 50mm (nifty fifty) lens. I am just starting out from REAL BASICs and still have LONG way to go.

Also invested some money on white & black backdrop (since bed sheet wasn't working out), some Fluorescent light & Transparent Umbrella to make it look like a studio. In full disclosure, I still don't know much but now visiting this site on daily basis and reading/reading/readin​g and still feel it's not enough.

One of the things that I have noticed here is that people here are EXTREMELY helpful! Therefore, thank you all and can't wait to take some pics and start to share and can't wait to get feedback.

If you haven't read this post yet - it would be very helpful starting out!

https://photography-on-the.net …&highlight=ben%​27s+newbie

Andrushka wrote in post #15379181
If you haven't read this post yet - it would be very helpful starting out!

https://photography-on-the.net …&highlight=ben%​27s+newbie

Hello Andrushka -Yes. I have read that article /write-up by Ben. Great material.

I am curious about some of your choices; have you used a DSLR already ? Why am I asking- why did you choose fluorescent lighting? Strobes or flash would have likely been a better choice to start out with; unless you have uniform lighting- and really strong continuous lighting- well- fluorescent lighting can be a pain. Often it's not bright enough- which means pushing ISO- kind of negating the benefits of having a studio. Having mixed colors of fluorescent or with tungsten lighting- will be a - well- mess...

Still, as you (will) have it- give it a try.... Post examples when you run into roadblocks and are unsure how to improve your technique & theory...

Hey DoctorLove.

Congrat's on getting your camera! It would be REALLY good, if you could spend the money on a speedlight; an EX 430 II would do, or even a Yongnuo 565/568 EX. Then grab a copy of Speedliter's Handbook and be amazed what "good" lighting can do.

DoctorLove wrote in post #15379363
Hello Andrushka -Yes. I have read that article /write-up by Ben. Great material.

awesome - comprehend and implement all that and you are WAY ahead of the curve!!

wayne.robbins wrote in post #15379372
I am curious about some of your choices; have you used a DSLR already ? Why am I asking- why did you choose fluorescent lighting? Strobes or flash would have likely been a better choice to start out with; unless you have uniform lighting- and really strong continuous lighting- well- fluorescent lighting can be a pain. Often it's not bright enough- which means pushing ISO- kind of negating the benefits of having a studio. Having mixed colors of fluorescent or with tungsten lighting- will be a - well- mess...

Still, as you (will) have it- give it a try.... Post examples when you run into roadblocks and are unsure how to improve your technique & theory...

One of the reasons why I had decided to purchase fluorescent lighting, because I wanted it to provide continuous light and simply be able to move it around without the use of flash and see how/where shadows would be on my backdrop. Just didn't want to get annoyed with flash since currently I am feeling that flash may add extra variable with already built-in beginner's confusion, but will certainly do so in near future, since I really want to get into low/mid key lighting portraits. Figured I'll start off somewhere in my home settings, get more familiar with my DSLR and then move on.

1Tanker wrote in post #15379449
Hey DoctorLove.
Congrat's on getting your camera! It would be REALLY good, if you could spend the money on a speedlight; an EX 430 II would do, or even a Yongnuo 565/568 EX. Then grab a copy of Speedliter's Handbook and be amazed what "good" lighting can do.

Hello Tanker - I will consider purchasing that, however currently it is a bit out of my budget. Will definitely consider that as my choice of speedlight.