Talk to me about lighting modifiers

[Derrel]

GOOD article linked to above by gryponslair99 at Photography Lighting Modifiers | Popular Photography Has a nice overview of various types of light and good advice and tips on how to use them.

Great to hear that you've got some stuff ordered and you'll soon be on your way! As far as I know, the free Strobist 101 and Strobist 102 courses are still on-line, and the Flickr user galleries are likely still maybe 75% live links; actually doing the exercises with the apple, or with an egg, or a bowl of fruit, and literally doing the homework will show you a lot about how the umbrella and flash work together, and about distance/shadow hardness/fall-off rates.

A 32-inch reflecting umbrella is a great start to learning how to use off camera flash. It really can elevate many a shot, just by the presence of some diffused, yet directional light. As far as Smoke's suggestion above, of going with monolights, they do give the modeling lamps and the higher oputput. I have been recommending the Adorama house brand, the Flashpoint 320M for a long time, now on sale at $89.95 Flashpoint M Series

More powerful than other lights specified as "400" or "800", the 320M is right about 160 Watt-seconds of stored energy fired through the gas inside the flashtube...about the right flash power for this era in which ISO 100 and 200 on digital slr cameras is so good.

 

[smoke665]

Adorama house brand, the Flashpoint 320M for a long time, now on sale at $89.95 Flashpoint M Series

Yup, seriously considered these but they were never in stock at the time. When I called the folks at Paul Buff and explained my goals they were able to walk me through what to order and when. In fact the CS Rep I talked to had personal experiences that really helped make my decision. From what I've seen the Bees really hold their value on Ebay, and the 400's put out more than enough light for my application.