Lighting HELP!!!!

[ACLP]

Ok so I am not new to photography but I am new to lighting. We are getting a green screen in about a week and we are looking in to lighting. It has to be easy to transport one because we are military and will be moving all the time and also we do not have a studio we are on site photographers. So we will have to bring it with us. If you could please tell me a good starter lighting kit and a link to a website if you have it. Also affordable... I am going crazy trying to figure all this out on my own.


Thank You,
Lisa

 

[KmH]

What are you going to do with a green screen? Green screens tend to cast a green glow on things as light bounces off of the green screen and reflects back onto what ever you are trying to make an image of. There are ways to avoid that, but they require some knowledge and skill.

What kind of photography do you intend to do?

 

[tirediron]

Agree with Keith - unless you're shooting stills for stop-motion animation or compositing, a green screen is not the way to go. If you're doing portrait, senior, wedding formals, etc, and need a background, I would go with grey seamless paper. A little more expensive, but easier to transport, and by altering exposure, you can have grey, black or white background from one roll.

 

[ACLP]

My husband is the lighting person not me I think he has that part under control when it comes to light bouncing. But I am not sure. We are mainly planning on using the green screen for child photography. We have been doing on site photography but mainly we are just getting weddings because of not having a studio. So a green screen seems to open up the possibilities a little more. But with or with out a green screen I really need to know a good lighting kit. I have a Military Formal coming up and I will need lights to take the pictures.

 

[ACLP]

Oh yeah and Maybe im just New and dont understand but my thought of Seamless paper means someone is going to step on it and it is going to ruin it.... Would i just do better to get a backdrop?

 

[tirediron]

Any time you want equipment recommendations, you need to include a budget. You can get anything from Cowboy Studio gear ~<$100/head to ProFoto >$750/head. The Flashpoint series from Adorama are economicaly priced and well regarded entry-level strobes. The Paul C. Buff gear (Alien Bee) is another step up. Since you're going to be using this commercially, I would look at Elinchrom or similar and budget something around $4-500/head, and plan on at least three lights, stands, modifiers and triggers. Something in the $2500 range, give or take. There are lots of cheaper options, but... you get what you pay for.

Ps... I still don't get why you want to use a green screen.

 

[tirediron]

...my thought of Seamless paper means someone is going to step on it and it is going to ruin it.... Would i just do better to get a backdrop?

Exactly right, they do and they will. When the shoot's done, you pull out your hand utility knife, cut off the used portion and toss it in the nearest recycle bin. It's essentially a giant 'paper towel' roll (without the perforations).

 

[ACLP]

So this Studio Strobe Lighting Kit 360w/s would not be a good idea?
And I am wanting a green screen because it is only one thing to have to carry around. I can add any background I want on my computer. It just seems easier with having to travel with it instead of having to travel with a bunch of backdrops.

 

[ACLP]

Ok so I looked at your suggestions and Im thinking that this would work good for now. What are you thought my link above or this one? CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories

 

[tirediron]

Okay, why do you want to spend time compositing in post? How are you going to deal with the green cast that the screen will cause, especially for people wearing white/light clothing? On roll of seamless grey gives you white, black and grey backgrounds, with a quick adjustment of exposure. You seem to be doing this as a commercial venture, so I'll reiterate: Don't go cheap. If you don't have the money to buy at least decent quality, DON'T BUY ANYTHING. Junk, and I do mean JUNK such as Cowboy Studio produces will cause you grief sooner rather than later.

Without meaning to be rude, do you even understand enough about monolights to know what features to look for? Do you know which ones have easily available & replaceable flash tubes? Adjustable modeling lights? Whether or not they're auto-dumping?

If you absolutely must by cheap, than look to something like the Flashpoint series by Adorama. They're cheap, but they're at least decent. You also need to face up to the fact that photography is a lot more than a camera. Photography equipment is often large, bulky and heavy. When I go to do a location shoot, I bring a dolly. I can make six-eight trips from where my truck is parked to the location with gear. Typically: two or three camera bags, two lighting cases, extra stands, clamps, etc, background... if you're trying to squeeze this all in to one small shoulder-bag, you're not going to. Again, not trying to be rude or cut you down, but there are some realities to face, and it strikes me as if perhaps you need a little more experience.

 

[ACLP]

I am not trying to go crazy cheap I just dont know much about lighting. I am in college now learning about all of that. But for the most part we do not do lighting! We just use Natural light, reflectors, and a slave flash. I know what can come of a green screen when it comes to wearing light colors etc... I am asking about Lighting. I looked at cowboy because you named them. I also looked at Adorama. Because we will only be using light once every now and then. Maybe twice a year. So I do not want to put out $3000 plus on lighting equipment. If we was not military I would gladly jump on spending that much money. But with moving and risking it getting broke I would rather get something that will work for a year or two. After that it can go in the trash. I am just wanting someone to help out on a cheap good lighting kit.
I also understand that I can not put everything in to a shoulder bag. It already takes 3 carrying cases just to hold my camera equipment. I spend money where I need to spend it but after being in business now for about five years I have yet to have to use Lighting. So I am asking for Help on Lighting...
I love that you care about us getting a green screen and I appreciate that you let me know your concerns and I will take that in to consideration. But right now I just want to know what I need for lighting. I have been doing my college courses but they have thrown so many lighting types at me that I cant believe I past the exam because really I didnt understand any of it. I understand Cameras I do not understand anything when it comes to lighting equipment.

 

[KmH]

You can get a cheap lighting kit. You can get a good lighting kit.

There is no cheap, good lighting kit.

No one here can tell you what you need for lighting, because no one here can see what it is you're wanting to light, or what lighting style you are wanting to achieve.