Lighting

[John]

Ok then people, pretty soon im going to be looking to get hold of some studio lighting to do some portraits, but I havnt a clue whats good bad or ugly? whos got or uses what? what should I be looking out for and what should I avoid?

 

any info or advice would be welcomed and most useful

[FUJI]

I have a couple of lights, a small brolly and home made diffusers, but hardly use them, I much prefer ambient light through a window.

What I can reccomend is that you sort through and watch the best of the YouTube tutorials on the subject, there are dozens there.

FUJI

[Leon]

I am looking into getting into portrait shots next year, I read in many places that for kids use continuous lighting, that's what I bought (although I actually bought it for a job I was show I was supposed to be photographing), for everything else you might want to go down the road of getting a couple of speedlights, I have a yongnuo one, does the job for me at parties ect..

 

so I suppose it depends on your budget really?

 

ebay has some good value stuff....  this is similar to mine... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continuous-Soft-Box-Studio-Lighting-Kit-Photography-Photo-Softbox-/151208963217?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item2334c1ac91

 

my only complaint is the backdrops are not long enough to lie on the floor.

[Leon]

I am looking into getting into portrait shots next year, I read in many places that for kids use continuous lighting, that's what I bought (although I actually bought it for a job I was show I was supposed to be photographing), for everything else you might want to go down the road of getting a couple of speedlights, I have a yongnuo one, does the job for me at parties ect..

 

so I suppose it depends on your budget really?

 

ebay has some good value stuff....  this is similar to mine... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continuous-Soft-Box-Studio-Lighting-Kit-Photography-Photo-Softbox-/151208963217?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item2334c1ac91

 

my only complaint is the backdrops are not long enough to lie on the floor.

sorry I TELL LIES...... MINE HAS UMBRELLAS NOT SOFT BOXES....

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Studio-Umbrella-Light-Continous-Lighting-Photo-Background-Backdrop-Stand-Kit-/201054521788?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item2ecfc889bc

Edited November 27, 2014 by Leon

[John]

Thanks for the comments Fuji and leon, a bit of extra info, I already have the backdrop frame and a plain backdrop, so just looking for lights at the mo, hadn't thought much about constant light or flash, I guess I'll get both, I want umberellas and boxes too, budget will be around £500-£750, maybe more if something really grabs me.

[John]

Anyone else want to throw a comment in on this? needing some direction before I go and throw a heap of cash at something that's not any good, experiences and advice welcome guys and gals........

[Graham]

Oddly, I was looking on Amazon this afternoon and they have some great studio flas set as well as single units. Just search for studio flash in electronics and photography