Need Help with Lighting

[dmdm52004]

I want to start talking portraits and it's too confusing. What do I need from Brolly boxes, soft boxes, umbrellas, shoot through umbrellas what do I need. Also my friends say to buy Alien Bees but I cant afford it right now. Ebay has allot of affordable kits but I'm soooooooooo confused.
Pease Help
Have a Blessed Day,
David:arghh:

[Joe]

I want to start talking portraits and it's too confusing. What do I need from Brolly boxes, soft boxes, umbrellas, shoot through umbrellas what do I need. Also my friends say to buy Alien Bees but I cant afford it right now. Ebay has allot of affordable kits but I'm soooooooooo confused.
Pease Help
Have a Blessed Day,
David:arghh:

The least expensive way to start with studio lights is an AB400 (alienbees), stand, and a medium softbox ($400 total investment). I would save until you can get this at a minimum. The ebay kits are mainly junk. Until then use a window and foam core board opposite the subject to fill the shadows - $10 solution and just as good as stobes.

[dmdm52004]

Thanks Joe thats what my friends say also. If I buy one AB400 can I buy the accessories on ebay.
Thanks Again

[Rudi]

I would second the "no eBay junk" strategy - you will regret it in the long run! Save a little more, and get the Alien Bees at the very least. Spend more, spend only once, spend less in the long run! :)

[dmdm52004]

OK you guys convinced me I just took the plunge I purchased (or should I say Charged) the DigiBee kit with 2 B800 and all the fixin's. Now I just need to learn from you guys how to use them the right way.
Thank you for all your help and making my pocket lighter.

[Mao]

The norm here is you send us your lighting kit, we'll read the manuals, test it out and then pass it on to the next pixel-shooter member to do likewise.

After 5 years or more, you'll have it Fedexed, collect, of course and with full instructions on how to use it.

We're not a hard group to get along with, no way, no how.

Seriously, check the member's list and look under JeffJtPhoto. He provided us with a good set up

http://www.pixel-shooter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9804

Have fun with the bees and congrats.

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Here are a couple more posts with diagrams and discussion for info that might interest you David..

http://www.pixel-shooter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9241

http://www.pixel-shooter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10338

Did you also pick up a light meter to calibrate your light set-up?

[MiriamJ]

A lot of excellent information here.

Here's a bit of a different direction: The Strobist has readers that have produced some great results using the techniques blogged at http://strobist.blogspot.com/ It's main focus is off-camera lighting. Even if you don't go with the less expensive alternatives he suggests, it's worth reading just for what you can pick up there. A great place to start is: Lighting 101 (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html)

[Josée]

Thanks so much for posing this question Dave....I too have been wondering about the weird world of portraits and studio lighting, bu was too embarrassed to ask!

A question I'd like to add, what would be the most "portable" portrait/ligthing setup? Any thoughts?

[Josée]

Until then use a window and foam core board opposite the subject to fill the shadows - $10 solution and just as good as stobes.

Hi Joe...quick clarification for myself, as I'm visual...do you mean have the subject placed/sit so the window light hits them, but have a core board next to the camera?

[Rudi]

The least expensive way to start with studio lights is an AB400 (alienbees), stand, and a medium softbox ($400 total investment). I would save until you can get this at a minimum. The ebay kits are mainly junk. Until then use a window and foam core board opposite the subject to fill the shadows - $10 solution and just as good as stobes.

Not at night it's not! :D

[Rudi]

Hi Joe...quick clarification for myself, as I'm visual...do you mean have the subject placed/sit so the window light hits them, but have a core board next to the camera?

Josée, have a look at the two diagrams that Jeff posted links to, then imagine those setups with ONLY the main light and the reflector. That will give you the right idea...