Lighting? What to buy.

[bumpylemon]

Ok so I've been doing photos and portraits of friends and family. I only have been using the sb600 for lighting. I see umbrella lights always being used. What will that do for me? Abundance possibilities? what's again good next step? I don't need amazing equipment. But something I can start with. I don't know what lights on need or anything. Thanks

 

[bumpylemon]

I'd like to do stuff like thidthis. Is this just with a white screen or is there a rear flash? http://hookedonhouses.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/reese-witherspoon-38.jpe

 

[Village Idiot]

Ok so I've been doing photos and portraits of friends and family. I only have been using the sb600 for lighting. I see umbrella lights always being used. What will that do for me? Abundance possibilities? what's again good next step? I don't need amazing equipment. But something I can start with. I don't know what lights on need or anything. Thanks

Are you going to be shooting indoors?

Below is an excellent tutorial on shooting with a white seamless. It may be more than you're looking for, but to start out, it's best if you have at least two flashes and a white wall. You want one flash to blow out the and one flash to illuminate the subject.

For the rear flash, you don't necessarily want an umbrella, just something to focus the light on the wall and not spill it on the subject.

The photo you posted looks like it was done this way with the subject too close to the background. White reflects, and by blasting the background, the light reflected back towards the subject. You can tell this by where he earrings are disappearing. To stop this, you need to move the subject farther away from the wall.

Umbrellas and other modifiers do just that, they modify the light. They can change the shape from a wide soft radiant glow that leaves no shadows to a tight harsh light that has nothing but harsh shadows.

42" white shoot through umbrella for soft shadows:


Direct flash for hard shadows:


Zack Arias's tutorial on white seamless:
zarias.com :: The blog of editorial photographer Zack Arias White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 1 :: Gear & Space
zarias.com :: The blog of editorial photographer Zack Arias White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 2 :: Setting Lights & Exposure
zarias.com :: The blog of editorial photographer Zack Arias White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 3 :: From White To Black.

 

[bumpylemon]

Yeah. Shooting indoors mostly. I need a wireless trigger for the of camera flash right? So should I buy mother sb600? What about continous lighting? Why do i need for that? Thanks

 

[Village Idiot]

Yeah. Shooting indoors mostly. I need a wireless trigger for the of camera flash right? So should I buy mother sb600? What about continous lighting? Why do i need for that? Thanks

They make wired triggers, but wireless triggers seem to be generally the preferred way to trigger strobes these days.

I wouldn't purchase continuous, it typically won't play nice with your strobes. And I can't tell you what to purchase without knowing your budget. If you absolutely have to go with speedlights, you can get manually controlled Vivitar 285HV's for about $100 each. There's other cheap options as well.

If you're shooting indoors and you're always going to have power, a monolight or pack and head system may be a better option. It'll likely be more expensive, but you won't have to buy batteries and the recycle times will be much faster. You'll also have access to a wider range of modifiers. Speedlights do have a lot more modifier options than they did, but trying to get enough light out of several speedlights to effectively use something like a large octabox could have you filling it with 4 speedlights vs. one higher powered "studio" strobe.

 

[Bram]

www.google.ca

 

[bumpylemon]

Google.Com


i suppose that could be the answer for everything. I was going for experience. I see some 30 dollar umbrella lights. That means nothing to me. Experience is key. I'm assuming in a beginner forum other people were in the same boat not long ago and can give real life examples.

 

[Bram]

I would start out with a cheap stand, cheap umbrella, and then spend some money on the bracket and triggers. I found finding the right trigger to be the hardest.
I spent about 40 bucks on the trigger and receiver then about 45 on the rest. Boom! There's your setup for under $100.00, cheap, probably not the best, but it'll do.
What's your budget?

 

[CCericola]

The picture of Reese is High Key lighting. You can google it or search these forums for techniques. This is how I do High Key:

I also add a hair light sometimes

 

[bumpylemon]

Thanks bram. My budget is idk i suppose lol. I have 15grand. But not for photography lol. I suppose if something is reasonable and effective i will get it. I have no experience with lighting so starting off cheap was ideal. i saw some starter kits on amazon. Just not sure if they are good.

 

[bumpylemon]

The picture of Reese is High Key lighting. You can google it or search these forums for techniques. This is how I do High Key:

I also add a hair light sometimes

wow that is alot of light lol.

 

[Bram]

Thanks bram. My budget is idk i suppose lol. I have 15grand. But not for photography lol. I suppose if something is reasonable and effective i will get it. I have no experience with lighting so starting off cheap was ideal. i saw some starter kits on amazon. Just not sure if they are good.

Nice i wish I had 15 grand . Alright i'm not going to sass you about that.

Anywhoo, if you see a cheap light on amazon, I would take it. If you see the stand umbrella and bracket for 30 bucks. I would buy it, I am tempted as well lol. I mean what do you have to lose? It's 30 bucks. Not alot of money and hey, when you think about it, you still got a stand and an umbrella if the bracket sucks, buy another bracketf or 16 bucks. Not a big deal in my eyes.

 

[bumpylemon]

Thanks bram. My budget is idk i suppose lol. I have 15grand. But not for photography lol. I suppose if something is reasonable and effective i will get it. I have no experience with lighting so starting off cheap was ideal. i saw some starter kits on amazon. Just not sure if they are good.

Nice i wish I had 15 grand . Alright i'm not going to sass you about that.

Anywhoo, if you see a cheap light on amazon, I would take it. If you see the stand umbrella and bracket for 30 bucks. I would buy it, I am tempted as well lol. I mean what do you have to lose? It's 30 bucks. Not alot of money and hey, when you think about it, you still got a stand and an umbrella if the bracket sucks, buy another bracketf or 16 bucks. Not a big deal in my eyes.

hah yeah my wife wouldnt let me tap into that. thats for the house we are buying hah

what bulbs do i buy?

this comes with a light
Amazon.com: PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO CONTINUOUS LIGHTING UMBRELLA KIT + Free 27 Watts 5500K Fluorescent Photo Lamp Bulb: Camera & Photo

i just want something that will make decent lighting and create some nice shading and portraits.

 

[Bram]

What bulbs? Mount your SB600 on the bracket?

 

[kundalini]

I'd like to do stuff like thidthis. Is this just with a white screen or is there a rear flash?

Do you own the copyrights to this image? If not, it should be linked. If so, please ignore.

..... You want one flash to blow out the and one flash to illuminate the subject.

I think you mean 'overexpose' the background. You only need 1 to 1-2/3 stops brighter than the main light. In your own words VI, this is why.........

For the rear flash, you don't necessarily want an umbrella, just something to focus the light on the wall and not spill it on the subject.

The photo you posted looks like it was done this way with the subject too close to the background. White reflects, and by blasting the background, the light reflected back towards the subject. You can tell this by where he earrings are disappearing. To stop this, you need to move the subject farther away from the wall.