New here! I need help with lighting... CC a couple pics please

MLeeK · Feb 25, 2012

You put the trigger on the hotshoe of your camera and the receiver plugs into the side of the bulb. When you fire your camera it fires the flash. The second flash will fire as it sees the first firing.
You just can't go over 1/250 for your shutter speed.

k.tremblay1 · Feb 25, 2012

Ok after doing some research, I realized that the bulbs I have are actually 85 watts but equivalent to 300 watts. The maximum wattage for my light sockets is 105 watts. If I buy efls equivalent to 450 will this make much of a difference? This is so frustrating!

Sw1tchFX said:
There's nothing wrong with continuous lights, just take a look at Kinoflo's. The problem is that your aperture is too small, and your lights have less wattage than what I use in my house. 85W is NOTHING. Go to home depot, get some 300w equiv. CFL's (about $15 each), white balance for them, and shoot with a ultra wide aperture like f/1.4. Than at least you can shoot at somewhat reasonable ISO's, and the wrinkles in the muslin won't be so distracting because they'll be so out of focus.

MLeeK · Feb 25, 2012

No, it won't make any difference really. Continuous lighting you'd have to have about 25 of those lights to actually light your subject a LITTLE.
Continuous is 90% a total waste of money.

Why are you set against the slave bulbs and a trigger? You'd spend several hundred to thousand dollars more to get the same amoun6 of light from a continuous light set up as you would from those cheapie slave bulbs. Total cost for that would add you maybe $60.

k.tremblay1 · Feb 25, 2012

Thanks. I'm not against the slave triggers at all. Just a little nervous because I have no idea what I am doing. If I buy this trigger will it also work for off camera flash? What do I need to buy to use my flash off camera hooked up to an umbrella? Thank you so much for all your help

MLeeK said:
No, it won't make any difference really. Continuous lighting you'd have to have about 25 of those lights to actually light your subject a LITTLE. Continuous is 90% a total waste of money. Why are you set against the slave bulbs and a trigger? You'd spend several hundred to thousand dollars more to get the same amoun6 of light from a continuous light set up as you would from those cheapie slave bulbs. Total cost for that would add you maybe $60.

MLeeK · Feb 25, 2012

It'll be ok. When you get them, put them together and use them. Then post questions. There is someone here nearly 24/7 and we'll help you!

k.tremblay1 · Feb 25, 2012

Ok sorry if I'm being difficult... I'm just iffy on spending more money! Do you think those 2 slave lights and the trigger is all i'll need to get enough light? I am worried I'm gonna spend the money and it won't be enough.... Like I did with these crap continuous lights!! Thanks

MLeeK said:
It'll be ok. When you get them, put them together and use them. Then post questions. There is someone here nearly 24/7 and we'll help you!

MLeeK · Feb 25, 2012

yes. You will be able to shoot indoors with those two. I have a couple of them here. I can light up 2 to 3 people with them with shoot thru umbrellas if I place them carefully. I rarely pull out a full sized strobe to use in my house because these are just easy and little! I use them to do portraits in a booth-like setting for weddings and events as well. They're great and if someone breaks one? I am out $20 bucks-instead of a couple hundred on a good strobe. I can set my kid up with a camera and these and she can shoot portraits all day long.
It's ok to be a bit cautious! You already made the bad call with the first set you got, had you had been so cautious with that kit you ordered-we'd have told you it was useless.

MLeeK · Feb 25, 2012

They won't be ideal for a whole family shoot of 4-6 people, but if you combine them with your speedlight? Sure!

k.tremblay1 · Feb 26, 2012

Ok thanks for all your help, I just ordered them! Can't wait to play! Any suggestions on where I should set them up? Do i aim 1 light at the subject at a 45 degree and one to the side? Or 1 on the backdrop? I have so much to learn, I am so glad I found this forum!!

MLeeK said:
yes. You will be able to shoot indoors with those two. I have a couple of them here. I can light up 2 to 3 people with them with shoot thru umbrellas if I place them carefully. I rarely pull out a full sized strobe to use in my house because these are just easy and little! I use them to do portraits in a booth-like setting for weddings and events as well. They're great and if someone breaks one? I am out $20 bucks-instead of a couple hundred on a good strobe. I can set my kid up with a camera and these and she can shoot portraits all day long.
It's ok to be a bit cautious! You already made the bad call with the first set you got, had you had been so cautious with that kit you ordered-we'd have told you it was useless.

MLeeK · Feb 26, 2012

StudioLighting.net will have all kinds of lighting info for you!

2WheelPhoto · Feb 26, 2012

MLeeK said:
Get rid of the continuous bulbs. They're worthless. In those sockets place a couple of these ACMS Adorama AC Master Slave with PC Connection, Guide Number of 90 at ISO 100. and one of these Blazzeo Wireless Slave Trigger Set for Studio Flash 4-Channel | Photography | Linkdelight.com.

Totally!