Hi all,
This is my first post, and I'm hoping to find some guidance in buying a new set of lights.
Most of what I've done has been outdoor photography -- landscape, casual portraiture and model work. I want to start shooting inside, though, and would like to put together a proper lighting set up that I can use for portrait/figure/fashion photography. I'd like to be able to have the flexibility to use the lights in a studio space as well as remotely, at someone's home, for instance, if the shoot calls for it.
I have a couple of shoplights now, with tungsten bulbs, but I obviously want a combination that will give a softer effect. From what I've read, in addition to what I already have, I'll need a couple of umbrellas attached to the lights as reflectors, as well as a background light. Does this sound like enough?
Other questions: I'll be shooting 35mm film (Minolta XD11) and probably eventually MF (saving for a Hasselblad), as well as digital (Olympus 5050, which I'll be upgrading soon for a 10mpx). Given those formats, should I stick with hot lights, or are so called "cool lights" an option? (I really don't want to have to deal with hooking up a strobe flash.)
Regarding umbrellas, do I need to get a pair to use as reflectors (light between subject and umbrella) and a pair to use as diffusers (umbrella between subject and light), or can I get umbrellas that do both?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Jason
This is my first post, and I'm hoping to find some guidance in buying a new set of lights.
Most of what I've done has been outdoor photography -- landscape, casual portraiture and model work. I want to start shooting inside, though, and would like to put together a proper lighting set up that I can use for portrait/figure/fashion photography. I'd like to be able to have the flexibility to use the lights in a studio space as well as remotely, at someone's home, for instance, if the shoot calls for it.
I have a couple of shoplights now, with tungsten bulbs, but I obviously want a combination that will give a softer effect. From what I've read, in addition to what I already have, I'll need a couple of umbrellas attached to the lights as reflectors, as well as a background light. Does this sound like enough?
Other questions: I'll be shooting 35mm film (Minolta XD11) and probably eventually MF (saving for a Hasselblad), as well as digital (Olympus 5050, which I'll be upgrading soon for a 10mpx). Given those formats, should I stick with hot lights, or are so called "cool lights" an option? (I really don't want to have to deal with hooking up a strobe flash.)
Regarding umbrellas, do I need to get a pair to use as reflectors (light between subject and umbrella) and a pair to use as diffusers (umbrella between subject and light), or can I get umbrellas that do both?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Jason