Hey All!!
This is my first post! I came here in search of some advice from wonderful people like yourselves.
So.... I decided I want to have a part time studio.
I am currently a stay at home mom of two young boys.
I want to start out with something simple. The basics.
I have not gone to school and have NO idea what to buy or how to even go about it.
I have a building to use but will have to take my equipment with me.
I will also be doing much work outside.
So what kind of lighting do you suggest?
What do you use?
I want to get what is nice but not top of the line.
I want what works not whats pretty.
I read wreckless girls post and found it helpful but she is looking for a little bit different equipment than I am. So if y'all could lay it out in layman's terms for me. =) It would be much appreciated!!
Full Version: New-b-e needing to get lighting
Hi Stephanie,
Here are some basics of how I started my studio lighting...
I started with continous lights... big mistake! They weren't very powerful, and they were hot.
Then I wnet to a guy who had a studio in his home, and he gave me a whole day workshop on studio lighting. I, like you, Knew nothing about how to do this. I didn't know how to set them up, how to meter them, ect....
After that I had to invest about $1000. With the thousand dollars, I bought 2 White Lightning lights, two stands, two umbrellas, and a light meter. That was about what I needed to get started, that was the most basic. Since then, I have added 3 more lights, soft boxes, different umbrellas, and more stands.
You could start out with flashes on stands with umbrellas, but if you are in any way serious about this, you need to get strobes. White Lightnings and Alien Bees are the most bang for your buck. They are good lights, reasonable priced, and have great customer service. This is what I would get to start a studio:
2 of these:
http://www.white-lightning.com/uz800.html
2 of these:
http://www.white-lightning.com/ls3900.html
You need to start with either umbrellas or soft boxes. Umbrellas are cheeper, but soft boxes produce better light. If you want umbrellas, get two of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4252...pse_White_.html
If you want soft boxes, I would get these, I would get one giant and one medium:
http://www.white-lightning.com/foldable_detail.html
And you'll need a light meter, so I would get this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2210...ster_Meter.html
With a backdrop the stuff listed above should get you started. But, what would be really nice is if someone would show you how to use it. As you get started, you'll find out what you are trying to acomplish, and what more you will need to do it.
For outdoor work, you'll probably want a flash and/or a reflector.
Here are some basics of how I started my studio lighting...
I started with continous lights... big mistake! They weren't very powerful, and they were hot.
Then I wnet to a guy who had a studio in his home, and he gave me a whole day workshop on studio lighting. I, like you, Knew nothing about how to do this. I didn't know how to set them up, how to meter them, ect....
After that I had to invest about $1000. With the thousand dollars, I bought 2 White Lightning lights, two stands, two umbrellas, and a light meter. That was about what I needed to get started, that was the most basic. Since then, I have added 3 more lights, soft boxes, different umbrellas, and more stands.
You could start out with flashes on stands with umbrellas, but if you are in any way serious about this, you need to get strobes. White Lightnings and Alien Bees are the most bang for your buck. They are good lights, reasonable priced, and have great customer service. This is what I would get to start a studio:
2 of these:
http://www.white-lightning.com/uz800.html
2 of these:
http://www.white-lightning.com/ls3900.html
You need to start with either umbrellas or soft boxes. Umbrellas are cheeper, but soft boxes produce better light. If you want umbrellas, get two of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4252...pse_White_.html
If you want soft boxes, I would get these, I would get one giant and one medium:
http://www.white-lightning.com/foldable_detail.html
And you'll need a light meter, so I would get this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2210...ster_Meter.html
With a backdrop the stuff listed above should get you started. But, what would be really nice is if someone would show you how to use it. As you get started, you'll find out what you are trying to acomplish, and what more you will need to do it.
For outdoor work, you'll probably want a flash and/or a reflector.
StudioLighting.net is a great resource.
the basics?
1 speedlight (or flash) and some remote triggers.
that is all I use, no umbrellas or modifiers yet........ now there is the basic setup - cheap simple, easy to move about with fast kids.
learn your light cheap, then you'll have a better understanding of what you want later when you go to spend money.
1 speedlight (or flash) and some remote triggers.
that is all I use, no umbrellas or modifiers yet........ now there is the basic setup - cheap simple, easy to move about with fast kids.
learn your light cheap, then you'll have a better understanding of what you want later when you go to spend money.
QUOTE(mark eric @ October 26 2007, 02:31 PM) 
StudioLighting.net is a great resource.
+1 on studiolighting.net
they have a podcast, too.
personally, I think that the 2 guys who run it are barely above an amateur level (sorry if you're reading this, fellas) but SOMEHOW they happen to run a great resource, and are able to pull in some GREAT speakers for the podcast.
Hey thanks all...
I appreciate it all so much!!!
I really need a mentor like some have mentioned.
to be totally honest... I am a little overwhelmed.
I thought I was doing really well... in my little bubble
then I started to check out some of the peoples websites here
and I think I liked my bubble
I know that God has blessed me with a talent and an "eye" for photography but there is so much more to it than that.
I have had fun taking pictures for years but just got my first SLR in august and I would like to be a Pro allready =) he he
I just wish I could have it all now but that's not going to happen.
My dreams are so big and I will achieve them I just need to work really hard.
I need some good books to.
But I am soaking in all the info you have given me and trying to take the right steps. I am open to any advice you are willing to give and much thankful =)
, Stephanie Warzecha
www.stephaniefoto.com
I appreciate it all so much!!!
I really need a mentor like some have mentioned.
to be totally honest... I am a little overwhelmed.
I thought I was doing really well... in my little bubble
then I started to check out some of the peoples websites here
and I think I liked my bubble
I know that God has blessed me with a talent and an "eye" for photography but there is so much more to it than that.
I have had fun taking pictures for years but just got my first SLR in august and I would like to be a Pro allready =) he he
I just wish I could have it all now but that's not going to happen.
My dreams are so big and I will achieve them I just need to work really hard.
I need some good books to.
But I am soaking in all the info you have given me and trying to take the right steps. I am open to any advice you are willing to give and much thankful =)
, Stephanie Warzechawww.stephaniefoto.com
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