Lighting

emmoris · Nov 9, 2010

I just started a bit ago with taking pictures. I want to start indoors now that its getting cold out. I don't have much light in my house and if i did use my window light it would have to be early in the morning. I am looking to get some easy to use, cheap lights. I am been looking at a few but don't know which ones to purchase.

Would love anyones help. Im also having a hard time figuring out what all I need to go with the lights.

Thanks in advance!

DirtyDFeckers · Nov 9, 2010

You can get A LOT of work done with nothing more than a couple of speedlights.

Maybe a softbox as well.... These things will typically suit the photographers needs, but not all the time... I would give a few speedlights a shot though, i don't think you'll be disappointed.

Village Idiot · Nov 9, 2010

Budget?

How important is mobility and the need to shoot on location?

Can't really reccomend anything without you telling us this info. I mean, I can, but it may be totally wrong for you.

ChevyBaby · Nov 9, 2010

If your budget is mega tight, house lights, lamps and other standard lights you use every day can do an awesome job, then all you need is to change the colour temp on your camera or get some blue (daylight) filters for your lens or even blue sheets of accetate to balance the colour back to normal. This is all in under a £20 budget (if you're in America, thats about $40)

emmoris · Nov 9, 2010

thanks everyone. I would say about 300.00 for budget maybe a bit more

emmoris · Nov 9, 2010

DirtyDFeckers said:
You can get A LOT of work done with nothing more than a couple of speedlights.

Maybe a softbox as well.... These things will typically suit the photographers needs, but not all the time... I would give a few speedlights a shot though, i don't think you'll be disappointed.

Is there a link you can show me on the speedlights?

reznap · Nov 9, 2010

ebay (cowboystudio) radio triggers: ~ $50
couple used (vivitar, minolta) flashes on craigslist from 35mm film cameras: ~ $60
cheap

Maybe pick up a westcott softbox with stand, $100 about..
You can get hotshoe mount brackets with a place for your umbrellas or softbox to mount on for $10 a piece and they'll mount on tripods.. find cheap tripods on craigslist too.

Keep your eyes open for cheap used gear. $300 can get you a ton of awesome used equipment.

Village Idiot · Nov 9, 2010

emmoris said:
DirtyDFeckers said:

You can get A LOT of work done with nothing more than a couple of speedlights.

Maybe a softbox as well.... These things will typically suit the photographers needs, but not all the time... I would give a few speedlights a shot though, i don't think you'll be disappointed.

Click to expand...

Is there a link you can show me on the speedlights?

Something like the starving student SC1 on this page will get you started:
Strobist 1 light Kits

It has everything you need plus some extra goodies.

You can put together a similar barebones kit for cheaper it you feel like doing that as well.

You'd need something like the following:
Vivitar 285HV - $100
Vivitar to miniphone cable $15
Light stand $30
Umbrella Adapter $15
Shoot through umbrella $20
Triggers $30

$210. That's a rough estimate. You can find everything you need at B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

emmoris · Nov 9, 2010

awesome thanks for all the help!

Patrice · Nov 9, 2010

You say in your first post in this thread that you are just starting out. Do you have a decent flash for your camera yet. For example, nikon users can buy an SB600 with the budget you mention. This flash TTL and CLS capable. It tilts and swivels. Just start out by mounting it on your hot shoe but aim it almost anywhere other than at the subject. Aim it at the ceiling, the walls or even behind you if you're in a small room. The results are surprisingly pleasant.

Studio7Four · Nov 9, 2010

If you're just starting to play with lighting you can also consider using hot lights (continuous lighting). You can probably find a fairly inexpensive set and either supplement that with modifiers or make your own (there are a number of do-it-yourself modifiers for which I've seen tutorials online). The advantage with hot lights is that you can see while you're positioning them and adjusting their power levels exactly what it is doing on your subject.

Don't get me wrong, I've moved on to strobes myself and think that is ultimately the way to go. But I did start with a cheap hot light set I bought used through Craigslist and it was very helpful in getting a handle on concepts such as positioning, ratio between main light and fill light, etc.