Question on lighting

[AdrianVall]

Well, I am getting more and more interested in doing portrait/studio work and I'm thinking of setting up a small studio here in my home. I'm getting more and more interest from many, many girls for me to photograph them so I need to jump on the bandwagon ASAP! :)

My question is..

What lighting setup would you suggest? I'm thinking of just getting an AB800 w/ some sort of umbrella and a reflector of some sort with seamless paper as a background, but it seems to be a tad bit out of my budget. Is there any other alternatives for a bit cheaper? My budget is around $350 for the moment, and I'd like to be able to purchase something around those numbers. If I have to, I can wait to save for the Alien Bee setup, but if I can also get away with spending a bit less and getting good results, I wouldn't mind that either. Anyway, I'd really appreciate everyones feedback on this matter. Thanks ahead of time!

Cheers,
Adrian

[Kevin]

You should be able to do something modest with that budget. Unless your intended room is very large, you probably could get away with an AB400. I've got a 20x24' room and I'm usually at 1/2 power with my AB800s and still shooting at f11. Getting an AB400 is about $225. The good thing is later, when you're ready, they'll allow you to upgrade the lights to more powerful ones.

Forget the fancy backdrops and use a sheet or go to a fabric store and buy a 10x12' sheet of muslin and either paint or dye it.

For light stands, go to ebay and check Amvona. Look at their air-cushioned stands. I picked mine up from them and paid as little as $25 for one. For a background stand, you don't need air-cushioned so they're even cheaper.

On ebay, watch the auctions for umbrellas. I picked some up for as little as $5. Same with softboxes. They'll work initially. Also look for a 5-in-1 reflector. I got a 42" circular one for under $10. Though they may not be the absolute best in quality, they'll last you a long time and not cost a fortune to get started. Believe me, if I didn't go down that path and still have the equipment still functioning fine after 2 yrs, I wouldn't suggest it.

[StickShots]

I agree that the AB400 is probably all that you need to start off with. I have the AB800, because I use it for lighting large areas (hockey arenas and basketball courts), but have to dial them way down for portrait style shooting.

[AdrianVall]

Kevin,

How does this stand look?

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMVONA-STUDIO-PHOTO-BACK-LIGHT-STAND-SUPPORT-AS-802S_W0QQitemZ180102620416QQcategoryZ30080QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And also, would you suggest that I get an umbrella or a softbox for the AB400? If so, which size and what size reflector as well? This is all still very new to me, so I'm still a bit confused on what would provide the best results.

I think I will also just go ahead and go with the AB400. Seems like it will work just fine.

Stickshots,

Thanks for the advice. I will only be lighting a small room (maybe 20 ft long and 16 ft wide - estimate) so I think the 400 will be suitable.

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the help! Keep it coming! :) :) :)

Cheers,
Adrian

[bobber]

Cant beat the ab400 for the price...and later down the road add the 800 or up-grade...you can have all the best equiptment and get the worst shots, work with what you can afford and make your images's look great!

[Kevin]

No, that's not what you want. That's specifically for a background light. It only extends to 42". That's what you'd use to put your light on to light up the backdrop.

For the backdrop, I got one like this: Backdrop stands (http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNATRAN-PRO-PHOTO-STUDIO-LIGHT-STAND-SUPPORT-AS-9110_W0QQitemZ200096172848QQcategoryZ30080QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem) But actually I got a 3-stand kit for like $42, iirc.

I'm pretty sure this is the air-cushioned stand that I have (2 or 3 of them)
Air cushioned stands (http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-6-AIR-CUSHIONED-PHOTO-VIDEO-LIGHT-STAND-AS-806A_W0QQitemZ200096071094QQcategoryZ30080QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem)

This isn't the exact reflector I have but it's similar. Do a search on ebay for the variations. I liked this one because it's portable and can use it outdoors and it folds up like a car's windshield shade. 5-in-1 reflector (http://cgi.ebay.com/5-in-1-Collapsible-Multi-Photo-Disc-Reflector-110CM-43_W0QQitemZ220098921153QQcategoryZ30082QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem)

This also isn't the exact kind that I have but I would highly recommend one if you can find it. This link is to a reflective/bounce "brolly box" (enclosed umbrella). Mine is a shoot through. I quickly scanned about 5 pages and couldn't find a shoot through variety. It acts like a softbox but was only $5 or $10. Brolly box (http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAPHOS-PHOTO-LIGHT-UMBRELLA-SOFT-BOX-DPU-SR-W-43_W0QQitemZ200094075837QQcategoryZ79009QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem) For regular umbrellas, I'd suggest a ~43" shoot through

There's a seller named "2Dreammaker". CHeck his auctions for some inexpensive backdrops. I've ordered a couple from him. THey're not the best but they'll work. I'd suggest getting a grey one. Then you can use colored gels on a secondary flash for the background light and make it be whatever color you want (colored cellophane works too. ;)) Here's an example listing of his: Dreammaker (http://cgi.ebay.com/6x9-Green-ChromaKey-Backdrop-Background_W0QQitemZ120104805074QQcategoryZ30079QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Check these out and holler if you have questions.

[AdrianVall]

Alright, here's the setup that I'm thinking of ordering. I'd like to hear your opinions on it.

This reflector:

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-in-1-Multi-Reflector-Disc-43-NEW_W0QQitemZ120104927110QQcategoryZ30082QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

Now, would I have to buy a seperate stand for the reflectors so that I'm able to hang it? And would I also have to buy a holding arm for it?

And the AB400

http://www.alienbees.com/b400.html

And the 48" Brolly Box.

http://www.alienbees.com/brolly.html

And the 10 foot general purpose stand.

http://www.alienbees.com/ls3050.html

White seamless paper:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1395&A=details&Q=&sku=45500&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

And this background stand:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Portable-background-Support-Stand-w-1-backdrops_W0QQitemZ330104121306QQcategoryZ79006QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem


It goes a bit over my budget, but I guess I'll have to work more this week, hopefully.

Cheers,
Adrian

[Kevin]

I'll look at these more closely when I get home but I think you should look around more for some better background stands. They want $99 for shipping alone!!!

I think that 5-in-1 reflector is the exact one i have. Best advice would be to "shop" ebay and watch the auctions for some of these items to save a few dollars. Also watch FredMiranda.com for used Alien Bees or some of the other forums.

[AdrianVall]

Yeah, I just realized the shipping cost. But now that I look at the product more, I'm beginning to think I could actually build something similar to it for a lot cheaper. I just need to keep looking for better prices I guess.. I'm not really in a rush to get this stuff, so patience would be good.

[Roger]

Alright, here's the setup that I'm thinking of ordering. I'd like to hear your opinions on it.

This reflector:

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-in-1-Multi-Reflector-Disc-43-NEW_W0QQitemZ120104927110QQcategoryZ30082QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

Now, would I have to buy a seperate stand for the reflectors so that I'm able to hang it? And would I also have to buy a holding arm for it?

And the AB400

http://www.alienbees.com/b400.html

And the 48" Brolly Box.

http://www.alienbees.com/brolly.html

And the 10 foot general purpose stand.

http://www.alienbees.com/ls3050.html

White seamless paper:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1395&A=details&Q=&sku=45500&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

And this background stand:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Portable-background-Support-Stand-w-1-backdrops_W0QQitemZ330104121306QQcategoryZ79006QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem


It goes a bit over my budget, but I guess I'll have to work more this week, hopefully.

Cheers,
Adrian

Well it looks like you have gotten better answers on your post, since I am looking for a Basic Studio for my home, I think this fits a lot of my criteria. Have you done the math to see what the total adds up to be? My budget is close to yours, I was thinking of cutting out the AB400 and using my 430EX flash, but I could go the direction you are looking to go as well.

[Roger]

I was kinda eying this stand for the light / flash and another for reflector, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=253069&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[Roger]

a couple of stands

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=103066&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=14754&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[AdrianVall]

Well, I've pulled the trigger! :)

I ordered a B400, 48" brolly box, and 10 ft. general purpose light stand all from AlienBees.com

Now..

I CAN'T WAIT!!! :arghh: :arghh: :nah: :wacko: :err: :unsure: :swoon:

Cheers,
Adrian

[AdrianVall]

Now, I've gotta just get the seamless paper, a reflector, and build my own stand for the paper/backdrop.

And even better news, I recieved my Tamron 28-75 2.8 today! :) :) :)

[Kevin]

Congrats Adrian! One thing you might want to consider, to save yourself some $. Make a V-shape reflector out of a couple of pieces of white foam core board. Tape them together on one side and spread them out like a V shape opposite of the light. Get 4 of them and you can have a pretty large, portable, adjustable reflector for a few bucks. ;)

[stilllearning]

Just curious on how it's working out for you?