Recommended Beginner Studio Lighting

Blankenship24 · Jul 29, 2011

Hello Fellow Photographers,

I have been into photography for awhile now, and I've done mostly nature photography but Ive been venturing into portraits with kids, families, etc. I wanted to get a starter studio lighting set, and I just wanted to know what is a good or decent set, that is not going to be expensive. Also, is it better to start out with continous lighting or go straight to strobes?

Thanks so much, Jennifer.

D-B-J · Jul 29, 2011

Strobes are better, and easier to use. However, they need to be triggered in some way, where continuous lighting does not. What's your price range? 300? 1000? How many lights do you want? 1? 2? 3? Does this setup need to include a background?

kundalini · Jul 29, 2011

Have you already put effort into researching the possibilities or are you just kicking the tires? An open ended series of questions such as yours leads me to believe the latter. No doubt, you have to start somewhere and I can empathize, but using the Search function on TPF may yield many, many threads on flash setups. Just a thought.

joealcantar · Jul 29, 2011

2nd the idea of strobes, let us know if you want portable as in battery pack as well. Do you have any flashes as of yet?
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Shoot well, Joe

480sparky · Jul 29, 2011

I snared a couple of 250ws strobes (w/internal slave!), an umbrella, a softbox and two stands off Craigslist for $100. They even can be 'dialed down to ¼ power and the modelling lamp dims with it.

Blankenship24 · Jul 29, 2011

Well I'd like it to be under $400, but $300 is more suitable for everything, 3 lights would be ideal. No backgrounds needed.

Blankenship24 · Jul 29, 2011

I have done research on strobes, and different kinds, I just truly have no idea which would be the best. I don't mind buying used equipment or off craigslist, as I have done my fair share of searching on craigslist. I just know other photographers will know better of which ones to stay away from and such.