What lighting equipment
Discussion
I like the idea of doing studio work one day, and at some point would like to get some lighting equipment. Does anyone do much studio or portraiture work? Im reading about lighting and it seems there is ten times more to it technically (and £££!) than choosing your lenses.
I would like to be able to light a studio subject well enough to take pics of a professional quality one day. Any idea how many lights and at what cost a very small/simple studio might need? I'd be interested to know which models of softbox etc you might use in a small studio, so I can read up on them.
>> Edited by UKBob on Sunday 12th February 11:53
I would like to be able to light a studio subject well enough to take pics of a professional quality one day. Any idea how many lights and at what cost a very small/simple studio might need? I'd be interested to know which models of softbox etc you might use in a small studio, so I can read up on them.
>> Edited by UKBob on Sunday 12th February 11:53
HankScorpio said:
Get hold of this book:
Clicky
It has the photos themselves as well as diagrams and explanations of the lighting used.
Very clear and very informative with loads of different scenarios. Clearly shows that lighting is an art in itself.
406tm said:Thanks for the book Dave, its great
Hi Bob
I see the ebook I sent you on studio lighting has whetted your appetite
Dave
406TM
Christ almighty, there is a LOT to learn 
I think Im way ahead of myself already, but im enjoying reading it nevertheless. I know its an unrealistic thing to say, but part of me just wants a couple of lights which arnt too big/expensive and perfectly light a head and shoulders. If only it were that easy.
Rex and I run a studio photography business with a 'travelling kit' as we don't have a stuio of our own, but set up wherever we are required.
We use all Elincrom kit as it really is the most robust and flexible and they do all their own softboxes and it's a very comprehensive and capable system
Strongly recommend having a chat with the guys at the Flash Centre in London - they are really helpful and were our guides when setting out in business. They do some fantastic courses too.
We now have 4 1200 heads and various softboxes up to the AWESOME Octabox.
Rex is the lighting man, not me so I will try and get him to add to this thread with his tips on what books to get.
We use all Elincrom kit as it really is the most robust and flexible and they do all their own softboxes and it's a very comprehensive and capable system
Strongly recommend having a chat with the guys at the Flash Centre in London - they are really helpful and were our guides when setting out in business. They do some fantastic courses too.
We now have 4 1200 heads and various softboxes up to the AWESOME Octabox.
Rex is the lighting man, not me so I will try and get him to add to this thread with his tips on what books to get.
bacchus180 said:I read that due to their 'non-square' shape, they left a better-looking shine in the subjects eye
those octaboxes are great... once you set them up you can never take them down again.....
crmcatee said:YHM
Don't suppose you could make that available could you or point me in the right direction for it.
>> Edited by UKbob on Monday 13th February 12:22
Mate, you just don't have the knack, all you need is a hammer and a saw.... comes to bits easy then . Although, what you have there isn't an Elinchrom Octa, looks like the small Wafer copy. This is an Octa:
I have the Quadra version which is very easy to put up and down. For those interested in learning about some basic lighting techniques and set ups, The Flash Centre has some guides on their website
There is 'Online lighting demos' on the front page and also check out 'Guides' at the left hand side.
>> Edited by Bacardi on Monday 13th February 18:10
. Although, what you have there isn't an Elinchrom Octa, looks like the small Wafer copy. This is an Octa: I have the Quadra version which is very easy to put up and down. For those interested in learning about some basic lighting techniques and set ups, The Flash Centre has some guides on their website
There is 'Online lighting demos' on the front page and also check out 'Guides' at the left hand side.
>> Edited by Bacardi on Monday 13th February 18:10
I did the introduction to studio lighting course here which gave a good overview of the basic techniques and the equipment that is available.
To be honest, you can get great results with a cheap desklamp or two and a few bits of white paper if you know what you're doing, or even a normal camera flash gun mounted off camera.
If you do want to invest in kit, then keep your eye on ebay - I bought an old set of two 250W Bowens lights for about £200, and although you'd really want to look at 500W as a minimum for studio work, these ones are fine for close up stuff and messing around with to see how it all works.
To be honest, you can get great results with a cheap desklamp or two and a few bits of white paper if you know what you're doing, or even a normal camera flash gun mounted off camera.
If you do want to invest in kit, then keep your eye on ebay - I bought an old set of two 250W Bowens lights for about £200, and although you'd really want to look at 500W as a minimum for studio work, these ones are fine for close up stuff and messing around with to see how it all works.
ehasler said:
keep your eye on ebay - I bought an old set of two 250W Bowens lights for about £200, and although you'd really want to look at 500W as a minimum for studio work, these ones are fine for close up stuff and messing around with to see how it all works.
I'm in a similar boat. Whilst I'd love to buy s/h on eBay I'm wary as a bit bought from Bloke A may not work with a bit from Bloke B. Aside from that, for product shots and portraits of 1-3 people I'm thinking that 3 x 250W with softboxes would be more versatile than 2 x 500W; it means I can get a light on each side and also one over trhe front for a nice soft effect (though I'm not sure if my ceiling is high enough!).
Mind you, I know as much about lighting kit as Bob does about lenses
bacchus180 said:
silly me... must be the mini version how foolish of me.... 
Look I've found some instructions for you take it to bits. Sounds easy but I know those Wafers are a pain 
bacchus180 said:
btw.. loving my dmr ... just loving it!
Ditto, just received another couple of bits of glass
simpo two said:If my queries ever seem overly Rudimentary, bear in mind the fact I intentionally pace myself, to avoid frightening or intimidating those beginners who are much slower than myself at learning about and understanding new concepts
Mind you, I know as much about lighting kit as Bob does about lenses
Ed - The course looks good. Hands on tuition makes the best foundation for most things in life.
We take our Octa on location all the time - very easy to pop up and down, though much easier with 2 people!!!
The Octa is fantastic, lights big groups and can do nearly everything with just the Octa and no other lights if you want to, if feathered right can act as a kicker and main! Get about .2 of a stop variance at most across it's entire surface!
Using the Octa as main and a 135 softbox as fill for a recent shoot we managed to get a space 2mx2mx2m that was a consistent f/8 anywhere in the 'cube' - fantastic!
The Octa is fantastic, lights big groups and can do nearly everything with just the Octa and no other lights if you want to, if feathered right can act as a kicker and main! Get about .2 of a stop variance at most across it's entire surface!
Using the Octa as main and a 135 softbox as fill for a recent shoot we managed to get a space 2mx2mx2m that was a consistent f/8 anywhere in the 'cube' - fantastic!
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