threedogmoon

Ok guys, I read a bunch from google, no need to go through the softbox vs. umbrella thing here! I think that 2 softboxes and a focusable light is probably what I'll go with. I will only be using them in the studio, so portability is not an issue. Maybe even one softbox and one umbrella. I will only be taking photos of 1-2 people at a time, so if there are any suggestions on sizes or brands for these three lights, that would be helpful.

I think that two continuous lights as well as a focusing light (to get shots where just a person's face is illuminated for example) will be what I go with. Is it possible to use two softboxes and a focusing light like this one: http://www.adorama.com/LLP210.html

 

I guess my question is softbox vs umbrella, what are the differences?

Thanks for all the input guys...I think I've settled on a few items to start:

 

$500 probably won't cut it...

 

To answer Darrell. my room is approx 17x15. There is a large Futon Sofa with no armrests against the 17 foot wall that can serve for sitting or reclined shots, and it can be moved and replaced with a stool or we can just do standing shots. Along either side of the futon, I am conspiring to place these cool bogen autopoles I found with the background coming down and over the sofa. This way I can leave the backgrounds in place without having to move stands around. The room doubles as a music space and has guitars/drums and stuff around.

 

I think I'll go with the Bogen Autopoles because they seem very sturdy and there would be less on the floor to trip over and I can leave them in place.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560207-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_432_3_7BSET_432_3_7B_Deluxe_Autopole_2_.html

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95211-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_2961D_Complete_Deluxe_AutoPole_2_Expan.html

 

I assume that the drives are for muslin paper rolls.

 

As for backgrounds I am leaning towards black velour:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/41815-REG/Photek_B_8010_Velour_Fabric_Background_in_a_Bag_.html

 

And White Muslin:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161714-REG/Delta_01278_10x20_Muslin_Background_.html

 

Let me know if anyone has any advice on brands, etc... Thanks again for the intense amount of info.

 

As for lighting, I think I'd like to go with 2 continuous sources that are dimmable, and will try to find ones like

Will Rutledge suggested.

Hello all!

 

I am in the process of setting up my first studio, and I have a few Q's. I want to go fairly cheap ($500 or

less) and fast!

 

Up until now I shoot mostly 400 and 3200 speed Black and white print film. I use natural light with a 50mm/1.4

and a 28mm/2.8. I want to set up a studio in my spare room and concentrate specifically on shooting against

Black and White backgrounds. I was thinking to continue using minimal equipment and just use incandescent

lighting, but I don't think that would yield very good results. Any suggestions on background materials and/or

lighting will be appreciated. I will have folks either standing or sitting on a stool/sofa. I'm not sure if

there are background materials that I could drape over the sofa, or whether I"d be better off hanging fabric.

 

Here's a few samples of where I'm at so far with my work: threedogmoon.com

 

Thanks!