Need information to research on portrait ligthing.

[anis]

Dear Photo.net member,

 

I realize my question is a very generic one and I have seen few

similar posts but

dont have much info and runs out of steam.

 

My question:

I am looking for some lighting equipment information for a starter

portrait studio setup.

 

My equipment:

Nikon FE2, Nikon D70 and Nikon N80.

Lens: Nikon 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro, Nikon 180mm f/2.8,

Nikon 300 f4 AFs.

I will at somepoint investing in a nikon 85 f/1.8.

 

I understand that the lighting is highly specific to

setup/preference but I need

basic information about the type of commonly used

( and preferred) light types, accessories that I can do

research on before investing.

 

I can spend around 500$ over the period of 6 months setting this up.

 

Thank you in advance and as always I appreciate the help.

Anis

[philip_morgan1]

Anis,<br><br>

 

A LOT of fine portraiture has been made with a single light source, and I think this is where you should begin. $500 will get you started with the following basics:<br><br>

 

* A nice backdrop. This is something you could make yourself by painting a large piece of canvas or muslin. Unless you're doing really tight headshots, the backdrop is a significant visual element of the portrait and can enhance, or spoil the impact of the portrait.<br><br>

 

* A tungsten light source, AKA a hot-light. I would look at a Lowel Tota light, preferably used. These lights sell for less than $150 new, so I bet you can find a used setup for significantly less.<br><br>

 

* A light stand and light modifier, probably an umbrella for flexibility and economy. The light stand may come with the light if you get a kit such as <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=370996&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation">this one</a>. For the money, umbrellas are probably the most useful and versatile light modifiers you can get, and they are very portable as well. The size of the umbrella is a personal choice, but remember the larger the umbrella, the softer you will be able to make the light, and it's easier I think to start lighting using a soft light source.

<br><br>

* A reflector, such as a large piece of foamcore or lightweight fabric.

<br><br>

With the above setup, you have a few limitations and many possibilites. You will be limited to tungsten film or B&W. And some subjects do find hotlights uncomfortable (perhaps no more than the harsh pulse of a strobe...). The strong advantage of hotlights is that you can easily see the effect of your light placement. For some ideas as to what you can accomplish with a single light source, the following links may help:

<br><br>

http://www.greenfield-sanders.com/<br>

http://www.richardavedon.com/editorial2004/newyorker/<br>

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/P/penn/penn.html<br>

http://www.pyke-eye.com/main.html<br>

http://www.lightingmagic.com/<br>

<br><br>

Good luck!

[paul -]

I've only been playing with lights for a few years, thinking much could be learned by getting hold of a few lights and copying the techniques found in the various portrait/lighting books available. For me, this hasn't really worked. I've made some nice, simple portraits, but haven't really <i>learned</i> anything.<p>The first item, and only book, I ever should have (but only recently) bought is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240802756/qid=1127001745/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4454297-8925602?v=glance&s=books&n=507846">"Light - Science and Magic : An Introduction to Photographic Lighting"</a> by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua.<p>It's not a "put the lights here" book, but rather a text which explains the principles of light in general and their applications in photography. Even if you already have a good understanding of lighting, I highly recommend earmarking $45 of your budget for this book. It could save you a lot of misspent time and effort.<p><a href="http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/679589/description#description">Here's the publisher's description</a>, and

<a href="http://www.google.com/custom?q=Light%3A+science+and+magic&domains=www.photo.net&sitesearch=www.photo.net&client=pub-1734703147688622&forid=1&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=L%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.photo.net%2Fgraphics%2Fanimated_photonet_logo.gif%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.photo.net%2F%3BGALT%3A%230066CC%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23999999%3BVLC%3A336633%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BALC%3A0066CC%3BLC%3A0066CC%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A666666%3BGIMP%3A666666%3BFORID%3A1%3B&hl=en">here are some photo.net threads</a> that mention the book.

[anis]

Hi Philip,

Thank you so much for the information. I will rent out the setup you mentioned!

 

Paul, Thanks for the book information. I will definitely get it.

 

Regards

Anis

[anis]

Just to add more info for future searchers.

 

The link for p.net article on this is

http://www.photo.net/learn/studiolighting/