flash light set or steady light set

[yeroeni]

I would like to buy a light set that I can use for multiple purposes (people and products) on location.

I see a lot of photographers using flash lights in stead of steady lights.
In my opinion a steady light is much more handy because you can see the effect of the light and shadows directly.

Does somebody know what is best to buy?

~Jeroen

 

[Patrice]

Steady lights as you call them can get very hot and uncomfortable and if they develop enough heat can be dangerous with certain modifiers. Most quality flash heads and power packs or moonlights have adjustable low power modelling lights that is used to help with the set up.

 

[enzodm]

Flash is able to output a very strong light for a very short time. Continuous light of the same power is really, really hot and consumes energy. In portraits, risk is people will squint and sweat.
There are strobes with a modeliung light that helps you in understanding where the strobe will hit the subject.

(EDIT: I was writing while Patrice was posting )

 

[yeroeni]

Wow thx for your quick answers. I could have thought about your explanations

Thx again!

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

As mentioned, flash (or strobe) is often a better option than 'continuous' lighting...especially when you are shooting hand-held or when shooting subjects that may move (people).

When using continuous / ambient light, you have to rely on the shutter speed for your exposure, and you'll need a fast shutter speed to be able to freeze movement and get a sharp photo. The trouble is that most continuous lighting isn't very powerful, and would thus require a long shutter speed, giving you blurry photos. A flash, however, doesn't rely on the shutter speed because the burst of light is much faster, so it's much easier to get sharp photos.

As mentioned, if you get continuous lights that are powerful enough for shooting people, the will likely be very hot & uncomfortable.

But yes, you are right that with continuous lighting, you can actually see what the photo should look like, which can be very helpful. This was much more of a problem in the days of film, but with a digital camera, it's pretty easy to see your results instantly. Also, studio 'strobe' lights often have a modeling light, which is a continuous light specifically for seeing where your light will go.