Newbie studio lighting kit

I know this question has been asked numerous times and I have read a multitude of the threads. I have been asked to take portraits at our church convention and I do not have any lighting equipment. I have my Camera(70D), Lenses(85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, kit, 50-250mm) flash 430-IIIrt and a pro-100 printer. I need a lights, backgrounds(fabric,pap​er, or muslin) umbrellas, stands, the whole shabang. My budget is $500 since I am just starting out, hopefully I can grow into a bigger kit that I can turn my garage into a portrait studio.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Please and thank you.

Are they one person portraits?

Could be one person or a group of 3 to 4. It really depends on the size of the family since it will be a church convention.

I put together a list the pieces I use for headshots and small groups of 2 or 3 people. It all adds up to more than your $500 budget but maybe you have some of what you need.

I put in three flashes for main, fill and hair, stands, umbrellas, a collapsible background. You may be better off with a background set of two stands, a bar, and a muslin background but speedlights don't have a ton of power so covering a large group in front of a large background is hard with them.

Anyway, this might help you begin to think about what you need. There are an infinite number of setups that could work but your budget leaves many of them out.

You can see each of the parts by searching for the description at B&H except for the battery charger which comes from Amazon.

Good luck with this project.

Find a smooth light colored wall, if that's not available then get a large white sheet and have someone help you tap it to the wall.
Pull it tight to minimize wrinkles.

Two speedlites, manual Yongnou or Godox will work well.
I prefer Godox with XT-1 trigger since it permits setting power from the controller.

Two light stands, two shoot through umbrellas.

What's important to remember is that the purpose of these pictures it to have the people smoothly lit, in focus with sufficient DoF to make them look good when printed.

That means one light right over the camera, and the other, main light, about 30 degrees camera left or right. Usually left.

Set both lights about 5 feet from a center point that is 4 feet in front of the background and place your camera so that the lens angle of view is sufficient to permit the group in front of the background.

I'd set the power on both lights to 1/2 and then set the ISO to about 400 and the aperture about 5.6 on a 35-50mm equivalent lens on your camera.

Heya

$500 isn't enough for quality material I think. Especially if you don't already have the lights.

I would try to use the church environment as much as possible for your background and lighting situation.

A single flash can actually be enough if you bounce it off the ceiling or a wall. So you can choose a room and bounce a flash and take a look at the quality of the light and pick a good spot and need nothing other than what you already have. Then just do everything in that spot consistently and everything will match.

For your budget, buying lights:

Speedlights:

On a small budget, a handful of manual speedlites can do the job, I would just make sure to get some modern ones with built in wireless receivers. The Flashpoint R2 (Godox guts) system for example. $70 for a good manual flash with a built in wireless receiver. A single $40 R2 transmitter will control all the flashes and change their settings, etc.

For groups, you will want large modifiers, or simply bounce. I would just bounce in this case because the budget doesn't really allow for huge backdrops and massive modifiers other than umbrellas, and speedlites do not have enough spread at close range to a modifier to get big modifiers fully illuminated. So bouncing off a wall or ceiling at different points would be my suggestion with speedlites, without any modifiers. A bounce in front for key and fill. Bounce on a wall for side fill/hair. Maybe a back bounce to lift shadows or pop hair more. No need for a background. Just use the church, find an attractive spot to use.

Strobes:

You can also get wired strobes that are inexpensive. $50 actually can get you a very capable inexpensive budget strobe that has enough output and spread to fill a big modifier. Flashpoint Budget series for example actually are fine little strobes. 300ws is ideal as a budget strobe, but th 120~150ws are also totally fine. I actually use quite a few, and they've held up a long time. The benefit of strobes that are wired is no batteries, slave triggers (optical) to avoid needing transmitters, etc, so they can be tripped wirelessly as optical slaves, modeling lights are super helpful to see where shadows fall, etc. Strobes also have a lot of spread, so you can fill more area at closer range. Strobes can be used to bounce too, so you can do the same concept mentioned above, or you can get big 60" inexpensive umbrellas to use as bounce sources to cast light where you want and control direction.

What direction you go depends on budget, and how portable you want to be. Speedlites are very handy. But you have to keep up with lots of batteries. But, you can use them anywhere, no need for wires, lots of versatility and portability. Strobes can be excellent for a no-fuss, no batteries, just turn them on and start shooting setup for a studio. Also, inexpensive strobes can get you a lot of spread and output for the cost.

I use both. I love both.

I love speedlites for versatility.
I also keep some strobes inside for just turnign them on and shooting and not fooling with batteries and slow recycle time, etc.

Very best,

I spent a few minutes on Adorama website and came up with this kit:

Westcott collapsible 5x7 background kit. (different fabrics available, I'd get the grey or white first)
https://www.adorama.co​m/we57sgxdk.html 120.00

Lightstand, umbrella, swivel with speedlite mount (2 of each)
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmubk2.html 100.00

Flashpoint manual speedlite with builtin receiver for remote firing and power adjustment
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzm.html 70.00 ea

Trigger for the speedlites
https://www.adorama.co​m/fprrr2t32c.html 40.00

A single nightstand, umbrella, swivel if you decide you want a kicker/hair light (means adding a third speedlite)
https://www.adorama.co​m …k1.html?RRref=p​roductPage 60.00

The minimum kit for portraits is 120 + 100 + 70 + 70 + 40 = $400
Adding third light adds $130 more.

If it were me, I'd find a way to purchase the version of the speedlite that has the lithium Ion battery, more expensive to start but much better investment long run.

I've shot a lot of portraits for events and organizations using essentially this setup.

bpalermini wrote in post #18320668
I put together a list the pieces I use for headshots and small groups of 2 or 3 people. It all adds up to more than your $500 budget but maybe you have some of what you need.

I put in three flashes for main, fill and hair, stands, umbrellas, a collapsible background. You may be better off with a background set of two stands, a bar, and a muslin background but speedlights don't have a ton of power so covering a large group in front of a large background is hard with them.

Anyway, this might help you begin to think about what you need. There are an infinite number of setups that could work but your budget leaves many of them out.

You can see each of the parts by searching for the description at B&H except for the battery charger which comes from Amazon.

Good luck with this project.

Hosted photo: posted by bpalermini in
./showthread.php?p=183​20668&i=i67967209
forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

Thank you, I will check it out.

dmward wrote in post #18320766
Find a smooth light colored wall, if that's not available then get a large white sheet and have someone help you tap it to the wall.
Pull it tight to minimize wrinkles.

Two speedlites, manual Yongnou or Godox will work well.
I prefer Godox with XT-1 trigger since it permits setting power from the controller.

Two light stands, two shoot through umbrellas.

What's important to remember is that the purpose of these pictures it to have the people smoothly lit, in focus with sufficient DoF to make them look good when printed.

That means one light right over the camera, and the other, main light, about 30 degrees camera left or right. Usually left.

Set both lights about 5 feet from a center point that is 4 feet in front of the background and place your camera so that the lens angle of view is sufficient to permit the group in front of the background.

I'd set the power on both lights to 1/2 and then set the ISO to about 400 and the aperture about 5.6 on a 35-50mm equivalent lens on your camera.

Thanks I did the sheet trick. I will research it.

MalVeauX wrote in post #18320970
Heya

$500 isn't enough for quality material I think. Especially if you don't already have the lights.

I would try to use the church environment as much as possible for your background and lighting situation.

A single flash can actually be enough if you bounce it off the ceiling or a wall. So you can choose a room and bounce a flash and take a look at the quality of the light and pick a good spot and need nothing other than what you already have. Then just do everything in that spot consistently and everything will match.

For your budget, buying lights:

Speedlights:

On a small budget, a handful of manual speedlites can do the job, I would just make sure to get some modern ones with built in wireless receivers. The Flashpoint R2 (Godox guts) system for example. $70 for a good manual flash with a built in wireless receiver. A single $40 R2 transmitter will control all the flashes and change their settings, etc.

For groups, you will want large modifiers, or simply bounce. I would just bounce in this case because the budget doesn't really allow for huge backdrops and massive modifiers other than umbrellas, and speedlites do not have enough spread at close range to a modifier to get big modifiers fully illuminated. So bouncing off a wall or ceiling at different points would be my suggestion with speedlites, without any modifiers. A bounce in front for key and fill. Bounce on a wall for side fill/hair. Maybe a back bounce to lift shadows or pop hair more. No need for a background. Just use the church, find an attractive spot to use.

Strobes:

You can also get wired strobes that are inexpensive. $50 actually can get you a very capable inexpensive budget strobe that has enough output and spread to fill a big modifier. Flashpoint Budget series for example actually are fine little strobes. 300ws is ideal as a budget strobe, but th 120~150ws are also totally fine. I actually use quite a few, and they've held up a long time. The benefit of strobes that are wired is no batteries, slave triggers (optical) to avoid needing transmitters, etc, so they can be tripped wirelessly as optical slaves, modeling lights are super helpful to see where shadows fall, etc. Strobes also have a lot of spread, so you can fill more area at closer range. Strobes can be used to bounce too, so you can do the same concept mentioned above, or you can get big 60" inexpensive umbrellas to use as bounce sources to cast light where you want and control direction.

What direction you go depends on budget, and how portable you want to be. Speedlites are very handy. But you have to keep up with lots of batteries. But, you can use them anywhere, no need for wires, lots of versatility and portability. Strobes can be excellent for a no-fuss, no batteries, just turn them on and start shooting setup for a studio. Also, inexpensive strobes can get you a lot of spread and output for the cost.

I use both. I love both.

I love speedlites for versatility.
I also keep some strobes inside for just turnign them on and shooting and not fooling with batteries and slow recycle time, etc.

Very best,

Tush

Thank you, if i was to increase my budget by $200 what would you add?

dmward wrote in post #18321003
I spent a few minutes on Adorama website and came up with this kit:

Westcott collapsible 5x7 background kit. (different fabrics available, I'd get the grey or white first)
https://www.adorama.co​m/we57sgxdk.html 120.00

Lightstand, umbrella, swivel with speedlite mount (2 of each)
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmubk2.html 100.00

Flashpoint manual speedlite with builtin receiver for remote firing and power adjustment
https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzm.html 70.00 ea

Trigger for the speedlites
https://www.adorama.co​m/fprrr2t32c.html 40.00

A single nightstand, umbrella, swivel if you decide you want a kicker/hair light (means adding a third speedlite)
https://www.adorama.co​m …k1.html?RRref=p​roductPage 60.00

The minimum kit for portraits is 120 + 100 + 70 + 70 + 40 = $400
Adding third light adds $130 more.

If it were me, I'd find a way to purchase the version of the speedlite that has the lithium Ion battery, more expensive to start but much better investment long run.

I've shot a lot of portraits for events and organizations using essentially this setup.

Thanks for advice, I have one flash also.

Nicole2320 wrote in post #18320586
I know this question has been asked numerous times and I have read a multitude of the threads. I have been asked to take portraits at our church convention and I do not have any lighting equipment....I need a lights, backgrounds(fabric,pap​er, or muslin) umbrellas, stands, the whole shabang. My budget is $500 since I am just starting out, hopefully I can grow into a bigger kit that I can turn my garage into a portrait studio.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Please and thank you.

It seems silly to be investing a lot of money into a venture that you are as to staff as a 'volunteer'. Particularly if the church, as a charitable organization, will not be reimbursing you for equipment. (And we all know that digital photographs 'are free'!)

I submit that a church convention will likely be held at a venue that has some large potted plants/trees as normal part of the decor. Certainly there will be wall space adjacent, with benches or nice upholstered chairs (think hotel meeting room area). So be ready to have hotel staff assist with temporarily relocating things to suit the purpose of the church convention, and forget buying backdrop material/paper and stands and cross rods. Two speedlights, fired into 3' x2' foamcore is all you need, and something to support the foamcore to reflect light to the subjects.

I did something like what I described for a charity event, with individual/family portraits offered, quite a long time ago. (Pardon the dusty print I just scanned.)

Wilt wrote in post #18321129
It seems silly to be investing a lot of money into a venture that you are as to staff as a 'volunteer'. Particularly if the church, as a charitable organization, will not be reimbursing you for equipment. (And we all know that digital photographs 'are free'!)

I submit that a church convention will likely be held at a venue that has some large potted plants/trees as normal part of the decor. Certainly there will be wall space adjacent, with benches or nice upholstered chairs (think hotel meeting room area). So be ready to have hotel staff assist with temporarily relocating things to suit the purpose of the church convention, and forget buying backdrop material/paper and stands and cross rods. Two speedlights, fired into 3' x2' foamcore is all you need, and something to support the foamcore to reflect light to the subjects.

I did something like what I described for a charity event, with individual/family portraits offered, quite a long time ago. (Pardon the dusty print I just scanned.)

I think these are good points. But I do get the impression that the OP may also see this as an opportunity to raise their photographic game a level and maybe to take a step towards doing more studio photography in future and perhaps making a little money out of it as well.

It may be this also provide the OP with the chance to begin to build a portfolio and do some unobtrusive marketing amongst the church community.

Investing modestly and sensibly could make good sense if this is the case.

Nicole2320 wrote in post #18321062
Tush

Thank you, if i was to increase my budget by $200 what would you add?

A good boom stand, one or two basic straight stands, and lots more batteries (assuming speedlites).

Good lighting doesn't have to be $700. You can do great portrait work with a single inexpensive manual speedlite or cheap wired strobe. Use the environment that's there and simply light it up. Wait until you build your home studio, if that's what you aim to do, to put a budget into a background and/or system, cheap background framing and support is a nightmare, so I would save that extra budget to invest into a really good background support system that isn't going to bend and break and sag and some quality background materials. But do that for your larger space. Not for an uknown shoot in an unknown spot, requiring it be portable.

Very best,

DaviSto wrote in post #18321160
I think these are good points. But I do get the impression that the OP may also see this as an opportunity to raise their photographic game a level and maybe to take a step towards doing more studio photography in future and perhaps making a little money out of it as well.

It may be this also provide the OP with the chance to begin to build a portfolio and do some unobtrusive marketing amongst the church community.

Investing modestly and sensibly could make good sense if this is the case.

Yes that is correct DaviSto, I have taken pictures for my mother retreats but never invested in equipment just use my surroundings. Now I want to improve and learn to take portraits.