Recommend a basic portrait lighting setup?

[kris_stanton1]

Hello all -

 

I'm a total newbie when taking indoor portraits (mainly b&w). Can

you all recommend a good basic setup? I'm currently doing research

and I'm confused as to if I want umbrellas vs. softboxes, which type

of lights, etc. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

Kris

[johnmarkpainter]

You didn't mention your budget.

 

Check out www.alienbees.com for a good idea of low-end prices.

 

Your best advice to start (my opinion) is to get One Alienbees 800 with an Umbrella and a

Medium Softbox. Also get a Reflector and something to hang it from.

 

You need a Flashmeter too.

 

jmp

[melissa_eiselein]

Kris: You're not the only one who is confused. I started out with the intention of buying one stand to hold my 420ex shoemount flash and ended up spending $750 on a very basic "studio" setup. I use the term studio lightly. It actually means a temporary corner of my tiny living room. I'm very much a beginner with no aspirations of going pro. For me, this is strictly for fun. That said, here's what I ordered:

 

<P>(2) Alien Bees B400 lights at $225 each. I thought the cost was high, but they were much cheaper than most of the other well-known brands. I ordered the B400 because I think the B800 would be overkill for my use. Besides, Alien Bees has an awesome upgrade policy if you want to upgrade within two years. <a href= "http://www.alienbees.com/lights.htm"> http://www.alienbees.com/lights.htm </a>

Here is a PN thread that mentions Alien Bees: <a href= "http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008anN"> http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008anN </a>

 

<p>(2) 3362 light stands for $75 each at B&H Photo. There are cheaper Bogen stands out there, but I wanted mine to be 8-feet tall, black (no glare) and air-cushioned (I'm a klutz). <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5591&is=REG"> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5591&is=REG </a> A PN thread for you: <a href= "http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008kmW"> http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008kmW </a>

 

<p>(2) 45" Photogenic white umbrellas with removable black covers for $25 each: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=42526&is=REG"> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=42526&is=REG </a> From what I've read, softboxes give a softer, often more appealing light. And I think I'd like the rectangle catch lights. But they are also VERY costly. I figured I'd play with my umbrellas...shoot through them, bounce off them, maybe even cover the openings with white muslin for a softer look. I'm just starting to learn about indoor lighting and I figured I could learn as much with umbrellas as softboxes at this point of the game. Some PN threads for you: <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008Z5R&unified_p=1"> http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008Z5R&unified_p=1</a> and <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008Vpg"> http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008Vpg </a> and <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008bWl"> http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008bWl </a>

 

<p>Thanks to the advice of PN member Gautam Raychaudhuri who suggested I make a PVC background stand that looks like a soccer goal, I designed a simple PVC stand for less than $16 including tax. I can make it as small as 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 feet for tabletop shots, 5x5 for seated "mug" shots or 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 for full body or small group portraits.

 

<p>For my background, I bought 4 yards of 102" cotton fabric ($7.99 a yard at Joanns Crafts). The stuff I chose is a tie-dye looking blue on the front with a solid, darker appearing blue on the backside.

 

<P>Here's a couple other links that you might find helpful: <a href="http://www.graphic-design.com/photographic/studio/photo-studio.html"> http://www.graphic-design.com/photographic/studio/photo-studio.html.</a> And thanks to PN member Richard Cochran: <a href="http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/"> http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/ </a>

[melissa_eiselein]

I just wanted to add that I don't yet have my lights/stands/umbrellas. I just ordered them, so I can't give any pratical feedback as to their use. Hopefully others can tell you the pros and cons of what I've ordered and help you make your own decisions about what's best for you. I do have my backdrop stand. I bought the stuff to make it today and left it set up in the living room so I can enjoy my craftsmanship. LOL

[bill c.]

Melissa-- I think you did a great job with what you ordered. You're going to have alot of fun with the kit. You may wish for the Alien Bee 800's, though. I shot a job with a couple of them today--promo shots for a band--and with a group of five people the lights were just barely able to give me f5.6 at full power into umbrellas.

 

Other than that, I have one of their smaller octoboxs, and I find it outstanding for headshots. If all I did was headshots and portraits, I'd probably use the octobox almost exclusively.

 

I also have a big 2400 WS Comet kit, but the Alien Bees stuff is much easier to use on location. I almost pulled the Comets out of the car for this shoot, but the DOF on the digital camera ended up being sufficient.

Anyhow, Kris, if you were to get the same stuff that Melissa did, you would no doubt find yourself off to a good start.

Best of luck, and happy shooting. -BC-

[mlhostetter]

I am in the same boat although I do not have alot of $$ to spend on elaborate lighting. I recently posted a diagram on a basic setup on another thread and took test shots using a digital. There was way TO MUCH light using this set up which consisted of 2 slave strobe flash units. More is not always better I guess. Practice, practice and then practice some more with diffrent setups. I have asked for alot of advice on this topic but until you try it out for yourself, ya never really know what your gonna get.

Regards,

Marylou<div></div>

[mlhostetter]

Here is what I got using this diagram.... No touch ups, just a white background, battery operated flash on a slave trigger fired off the cieling and a screw mount slave bulb shot through an white umbrella.. OUCH..<div></div>

[melissa_eiselein]

MaryLou: Thanks for the diagram. Diagrams and step-by-step information like those given in the weekly lighting threads really help a beginner like me.

 

<p>I'd like to see more people post diagrams or snapshots of their lighting setups along with their photos. Advanced photographers can look at a photo and tell what changes were made in lighting, but newbies like me need to have our hand held as we are walked through the process. This thread does exactly that: <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007jz7" >http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007jz7</a>

 

<p>Bill, I took your advice. I called Alien Bees this morning and asked them to upgrade my B400s to B800s. They had my lights already boxed up, but hadn't mailed them so it was no problem changing the order.

[illusions photo art studio]

Hi Kris, I'm also a "newbie" at this, so I begun with an economic kit that I purchased at E-bay, It's very complete, It has three strobes with stands for each, one umbrella and two small softboxes, also it has an infrared hotshoe triger and a wired sync just in case. All that for $295.00 shipping not included. You can see this item by clicking <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=3826372070">here</a><div></div>

[kris_stanton1]

You guys are the best! Thanks soooo much for your suggestions! Especially Melissa, who put a lot of time into her post!

 

Kris