will this light set work well for starting out?

i just wanted something to start with so i can save money and save for a lot better set...will this be ok? im shooting some pageant pics for a small school and will be using these but these lights will mainly be used for children and family portraits...will they be ok??

like i said im just a starter... its these lights
http://www.adorama.com​/SVKT900.html

the quality of light is fine, but the quantity will be a problem, its just not very powerful. You'll still need high iso and a large aperture

coreypolis wrote in post #2978621
the quality of light is fine, but the quantity will be a problem, its just not very powerful. You'll still need high iso and a large aperture

What would recommend? I've been looking at various lighting solutions and figured that amount of wattage would be enough for those type of shots...

IMO

Your spending something for nothing, i'd get 1 alien bee strobe and a reflector from ebay. There is so much you can do with one light.

AB400 you'll do great.
http://alienbees.com/b​eginner.html

It cost 358 USD but its worth it imo.

I myself started with 1 and after practicing with one i found the need for another...then another...etc....you grow with your equipment instead of growing into it...(donno if that makes sense lol but i hope u get the point)

You said the AB400 will do, but the link you have is for the 800. Which one will suffice to start?

what about this? http://alienbees.com/d​igi.html

christyjo2 wrote in post #2978613
i just wanted something to start with so i can save money and save for a lot better set...will this be ok? im shooting some pageant pics for a small school and will be using these but these lights will mainly be used for children and family portraits...will they be ok??

like i said im just a starter... its these lights
http://www.adorama.com​/SVKT900.html

btw you can get this kit from B&H and save yourself some $$$ its pretty much the same thing, the umbrella's are actually bigger http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …t&is=REG&Q=&O=&​sku=298604

pakololo wrote in post #2979019
IMO

Your spending something for nothing, i'd get 1 alien bee strobe and a reflector from ebay. There is so much you can do with one light.

AB400 you'll do great.
http://alienbees.com/b​eginner.html

It cost 358 USD but its worth it imo.

I myself started with 1 and after practicing with one i found the need for another...then another...etc....you grow with your equipment instead of growing into it...(donno if that makes sense lol but i hope u get the point)

If budget is tight, why buy a reflector?

Great reflectors can be made from white foamcore, cardboard covered with crinkled aluminum, cardboard painted white, white poster board, and my favorite corrugated plastic so popular now for ad hoc outdoor signage.

Many places just toss the corrugated plastic after the sign is no longer valid, check quick stops, local political signs, etc. The day after election day you can have more great reflectors than you can imagine, all sizes, all shapes, and gets rid of road litter also.

Enjoy! Lon

The AB400 is a good starter unit and seems capable in many situations. I often use one in conjunction with some smaller strobes. I think one will run about $300 with stands, umbrella, etc. as a kit from Alien Bees.