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10/15/2007 09:40:14 AM · #1 |
Hello.
I am just starting up my small photography business. I have a website, and have passed out business cards. I have done shoots for family and friends and actually have two "pro" shoots this upcoming weekend. With the weather changing I really want to set up a decent studio in my basement and am not sure how to go about doing it. I know I am going to need professional lighting, but I am not able to afford all of it at once. Is there a good way to go about buying just the basics at first?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tanya
www.schwinnphotography.com
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10/15/2007 09:49:41 AM · #2 |
| Take a look at Alien Bees. The name is stupid, but they make decent stuff. |
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10/15/2007 09:55:27 AM · #3 |
I agree, Alien Bees offer the most bang for the buck righ now.
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10/15/2007 10:05:39 AM · #4 |
You didn't mention a budget...but here's the link for the Bees.
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10/15/2007 10:12:53 AM · #5 |
| There's some great tips in this thread. |
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10/15/2007 10:13:26 AM · #6 |
Maybe you find interesting this site: Strobist.
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10/15/2007 10:37:03 AM · #7 |
i second that recommendation.
Originally posted by alexgarcia:
Maybe you find interesting this site: Strobist.
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10/15/2007 02:13:58 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by soup:
i second that recommendation.
Originally posted by alexgarcia:
Maybe you find interesting this site: Strobist.
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+3 |
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10/15/2007 05:58:47 PM · #9 |
Strobist is an excellent resource.
Read this too -
//amazon.com/gp/product/0240808193
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10/15/2007 06:34:50 PM · #10 |
How much studio lighting experience do you have?
You need lights - 1 and a reflector can do some things, but 4 or 5 is more versatile.
You need modifiers- each one does something different - large sofboxes are probably the best single choice - but guess what? The most expensive of course. 3x4 feet or bigger. That size can be had for $200 or less (look for aurora brand).
To put a softbox on light you need a 'ring'. These can run $40 per light. they fit your light specifically - the softbox part is pretty universal.
You need to measure the light to adjust it, especially with multiple lights. sekonic L358 is the best all around choice (there may be a new model out now).
You need to trigger the lights - does your camera have a PC sync outlet? Most lights will include the cord - the other lights can trigger off the first, optically. At least in your studio. On location it's not a good idea, and if you have other folks shooting (like at a wedding) you NEED to have everything triggered via radio, like Pocket wizards.
300ws lights should be plenty. If you get BIG softboxes (bigger than 3x4) or plan to do large groups, work outdoors where you need to overpower the sun, then get 600 or 1000ws lights.
Backgrounds...you'll need something, well, several somethings. A wide roll of 'seamless' (aka paper) if you can get it locally runs about $60 (for 9' wide). Shipping is a problem - it's nine feet long! Get white. you can put gels on your lights to get colors. Black is a good choice too. You need to hang these from teh ceiling - I use bicycle hooks ($1 ea at home depot) and 1/2" iron pipe (also home depot, but not cheap). I use the pipe deal to hang muslins too.
Muslins (a type of cotton) come in wide widths with no seams. usually they are painted with house paint - there are random pattern ones (cheap) and scenic ones (not cheap). They travel well as they can be folded and such. If you travel with them you'll need a background stand (savage makes decent ones for about $100)
Lessee...
2 lights, $500 (paterson stellar 300WS kit from B&H 1/ umbrellas)
2 softboxes, large, $400
2 good umbrellas, 60 inchers, photogenic, $60.
roll of paper, $60
home depot supplies, including clamps, $80 (3 pipes, hooks, clamps)
light meter, $275
You'll want 2 pocket wizards and the PW module for the meter (so you don't have to plug in to trigger the lights) - $190 x 2 + $50 - $430.
Oh yeah, you're charging money so you can't have stuff fail and not have backup...another PW and another light. Might as well get a 2 light kit as it's cheaper. $700 for this.
Grids are GREAT! They fit the lights to make a directional light - for hair lights and other effects, get 2, $40 or so.
Muslins... blue, brown, pink, green - you need an assortment. Black can be bed sheets from walmart or paper or just creative aiming with the lights. $400 for muslins. (yep, $100 per is actually cheap).
reflector - this one is a good size and price - you'll find it invaluable in the studio reflector
and if you shoot on location it's nice to not need to plug in...so get a Alien Bee Vagabond battery unit ($300). Lets you shoot in parks and just about anywhere.
But having the gear is only step one. I can get a tractor trailer or an airplane or even a scalpel - does not mean I can drive a big rig, fly a plane or do open heart surgery.
Seeing things in person makes a HUGE difference in learning lighting. Subscribe to the PPA magazine ($20/year) or join PPA ($180/year) - the magazine lists schools and seminars.
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10/16/2007 08:19:30 AM · #11 |
I wanted to add a comment to support the excellent update from  Prof_Fate.
I have recently started taking on work for paying clients and encountered a couple of unexpected challenges. If you follow current portrait practices AND participate in photography forums, like dpc, there is a lot of creative work down without a lot of lighting equipment. But, it is quite likely that a paying client will be expecting classic portrait lighting which will require 3-4 lights (main, fill, hair, background). Of course you can explain your approach and say you don't do classic portraits, but it never seems to be that clean or easy in real life.
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10/16/2007 09:52:38 AM · #12 |
Exaclty.
Are you an artist that does what you want, as you see fit, and the client be damned? If so then lighting of any kind is totally up to you.
However, most folks have an idea of what a photo should look like and that's what they expect when they hire a professional photographer. Remember the golden rule -he who has the gold makes the rules- so the client is paying and should get what they want - it's up to you as a 'professional' to be able to provide that.
Look at it from the customer's perspective (in any field). You go to get your hair done and you expect them to be able to do whatever you want- a trim, a wash, coloring, a perm, etc. You assume they can create any style you ask for. If you're going to call yourself a professional photograher you need to be able to do the same IMO.
Here are three nice images all using different ways of lighting.
This was no lights, no reflectors, and ISO 1600. It was taken in the lobby of a 100 year old library, not one's basement. You can't move the window, the wall, the bench, so this is pretty much what you get everytime.
This was done with 2 lights and umbrellas, a muslin and portable stands. It's your basic head shot type potrait.
This is done with 2 72" octoboxes (8 sided softboxes), a strip light softbox and a reflector on a 10x22 brown muslin. Being full body there is alot more area to light up, and to light evenly.
Message edited by author 2007-10-16 14:00:08.
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