first time lighting kit

[mike_ryder]

<p>greetings!</p>

<p>i have about a thousand dollars to spen on a new light kit<br>

i need a key, and a fill...ive already got top and backlights.<br>

any ideas on what the best kit is?</p>

<p>thanks</p>

[tasha_erickson]

<p>What are you using the lights for? Portraits? Products? What exactly do you have so far? Being clear about your needs and situation will better help us help you. :)</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Right. Are your existing lights continuous, or flash?</p>

[mike_ryder]

<p>im doing portraits in my home studio..I ve got track lighting for the overhead and back lighting...so im looking for a good key and fill that will be strong enough for the whole room.</p>

<p>thanks for helping</p>

[mike_ryder]

<p>oh yeah..im starting out with continuous</p>

[bob_sunley]

<p>Switch to electronic flash, or hire an electrician to install a half dozen 20 amp outlets and a new a/c system.</p>

 

[mike_ryder]

<p>i have been looking into the pros and cons of flouresant vs halogen..<br>

so far i heard that halogens put off heat and need alot of power...and flouresant doesnt...what i havent heard is what effect they produce in the finished product...if halogen gives more of a pro look...then i would be willing to deal with the overhead..</p>

<p>thanks</p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>A set of promaster strobes will run you about 600.00 and you can purchase an additional light for hair or beauty dish.</p>

[tasha_erickson]

<p>I agree with Cynthia, get strobes. The modeling lights will let you see what the finished product will look like. Here's why I would NOT recommend continuous lighting for live subjects (or most products):<br /> 1) You're going to fry your subject. Tungsten, household bulbs, etc., are too hot. You will deal with sweat and extreme uncomfortableness, not just on your subject, but you as well.<br /> 2) Fluorescent bulbs are cooler, but are primarily green in color so you will need to do color correction that can be tricky, sometimes frustrating, or sometimes impossible.<br /> 3) Continuous lighting tends to be a weaker light also, so you will need your subject to be less mobile than with strobe, or you will get blurry photos more often. Yes, you can compensate for that with camera adjustments, but unless you have a meter you're talking about several practice shots. (Reminds me, invest in a light meter if you haven't already if you're SET on using continuous.) They will also need to be set closer to your subject (refer back to #1) OR you'll need lots more of them.<br /> Strobes really are worth your money, and with $1000 to spend you can get a decent-good set up pretty easily.</p>

[tasha_erickson]

<p>To actually see the difference between strobe and incandescent: <a href="http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/hotorstrobepics.html">http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/hotorstrobepics.html</a> <br>

And here's some info on camera settings, and power usage of one vs. the other: <a href="http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/hotorstrobe.html">http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/hotorstrobe.html</a> (same site as above, just different page)<br>

And an article from here on photo.net: <a href="../photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00GmxD">http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00GmxD</a><br>

Hope these help! :)</p>

[cindygillespie]

<p>The ONLY time that I have used a high watt continuous light is do food... exactly for the reasons that Tasha has stated... they are WAY too bright for the model and WAY too hot !!!<br>

I personally trust and rely on this forum when it comes to suggestions... but, remember also they are that.. "a suggestion or opinion". </p>