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<p>David.....I wish I could find it now, but I watched a YouTube video on lighting. A Russian guy was shooting a model with a home-rigged stand with 2 halogen lights. He had a scrim as well. He took some gorgeous pictures with that modest set-up. So I know you're right in that you don't need to spend a lot of money.....it will be fun to start with something and then modify and experiment with other lighting effects as I go. Thanks for this....good point!</p>

<p>Bob......I tried it again and still no go........</p> <p>Lex.....that worked! Thanks!</p> <p>Thanks to you both for replying!</p>

<p>I’m trying to leave a comment on an image, but it won’t let me post. I get the following message. </p> <p>•Because of abuse by spammmers, we can't accept submission of any HTML containing any of the following tags: applet area base body button div embed fieldset font form frame frameset head html iframe ilayer input layer link marquee meta object option pre script select span style textarea /applet /area /base /body /button /div /embed /fieldset /font /form /frame /frameset /head /html /iframe /ilayer /input /layer /link /marquee /meta /object /pre /script /span /style</p> <p>I don’t understand the message or what is wrong with my submission. I’ve pasted the questionable comment below. Can someone please tell me what specifically what is wrong with it? I’ve already tried deleting a smiley face and a couple of other things. I see that Amy has posted a similar question, but hers relates to cut/paste. I'm not using that feature......I'm just typing in the comment box.</p> <p> Here is the comment I'm trying to post:<br> At photo school this summer we had many classes in Visual Studies, which encompassed many things. One of the things we focused on was our photographic 'journey' and how to learn to 'see'. I've concluded that (as you say) understanding 'aesthetics' is a life-long journey. But looking at others' work and studying the old masters and how they used light really helps. I think you certainly have more 'vision' and creativity than most, so I'd just keep doing what you're doing! What is exciting though for me is that I came away realizing that a person can develop their aesthetic sense and learn to 'see'. Prior to school I didn't know if that was possible. </p>

<p>I posted another question about lighting in this forum, and Devon recommended Avenger lighting stands. They seem like a good stand for a reasonable price. I plan to buy an Octobox, so what kind of stand would you suggest buying for it? How tall? Would you buy an all-in-one boom stand (they seem expensive to me), or would you buy a lighting stand with a boom arm? And can you recommend any particular brands? I don't need top of the line, but I'd like good quality.....and by that I mean lightweight, easy to set up, sturdy and optimally come with a case. The Avenger stands come with an air cushion that protects the stand from collapsing.....could be a good thing to have.</p>

<p>David.....When I contacted the school where I went this summer, they recommended an Octobox, saying it would give the absolute best result. If I can find a collapsible one (which I think Buff sells), then that's probably what I'll get. </p> <p>I do agree that many people can't appreciate 'artsy' portraits and just want the 'plain Jane' result....as you say, the Lighting 101 portrait. Actually, I think head shots should just be straightforward.....nothing too artsy-fartsy. So that's what I'm going for in this project, and your set-up is exactly what I plan to use. I just need to figure out the triggering thing, and then I'm good to go. I've set a deadline for myself of Monday to make a decision. At some point I have to exit the research faze and just BUY something! :-) I appreciate your help immensely! </p>

<p>Devon.....thanks so much. I read up on the Avenger, and they do indeed sound like a good stand for a reasonable price. I do plan to buy the Buff lights and soft boxes. I read somewhere that people like their soft boxes, but not their stands. And I believe the Buff soft boxes collapse, which would serve my purposes better for transporting them. Do you happen to have a boom? I'll need one because I plan to buy an Octobox. I'm wondering if it's best to buy a boom stand (they seem expensive) or just buy a boom arm to put on the Avenger stand. I'll have to inquire about this, but if you have any input, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Rodeo.....sorry if I gave you the idea that I wasn't 'convinced'. I have definitely decided to not use the LED lights. I was just saying that I could see the possibility of using LED for some applications in the future (product photography).....but definitely not for portraits. And if I already have other lights, I'll probably never need/buy one anyway. But thanks for the information. All of the numbers are confusing to me, but I understand it when you spell it out like you did! Thanks!</p>

<p>Craig.....what you say makes a lot of sense. And I did find the Pocket Wizards easy to use. I'm still trying to process all of this information......had to take a break for a couple of days because of a heavy work load......now I'm back at it. I'll let you know what I decide in the end. I still haven't gone back to read the Strobist.....I'm going to do that before I do anything. Thanks, again!</p>

<p>David.....definitely! But one can always strive to do much with little. For instance.....I'm a concert violinist. Every violinist wants a 2 million dollar old Italian violin, but we all don't have that kind of money. So we do with less, and we do quite well despite not having the best equipment possible. I'm a firm believer in not necessarily buying the most expensive equipment.....instead I'd like to learn to maximize my efforts with the equipment I have. I'll strive to someday be about 1/10th as good as Leibowitz.... :-)</p> <p> </p>

<p>Bob, thanks for your suggestions. And yes, I've heard great things about Buff's customer service. It's probably best for someone like me to purchase through a company like them. And I've heard that the photographer Annie Leibowitz only uses one light and a reflector, and she obviously does pretty well with that set-up. :-)</p>

<p>Ellis......As dense as I am about the mechanics and technical side of lighting, when I was at school I seemed to have an instinctive sense of what needed to be done with the lighting with regard to power, positioning, when and where to use Gobos, etc. I may not have it 'engrained' in me yet, as you say, but I think I'll pick up pretty quickly. :-) But I appreciate your remark, and I'll most likely go with the Einstein lights at this point. I'll call the company tomorrow and see if they can shed some light on my decision. I hear their customer service is excellent.</p>

<p>Lex......your comment must have come in as I was responding to all of the other comments. Ya know, truth be told, I could get in to the portrait thing. When I went to school I had absolutely no interest in studio work, but in the end I fell in love with it. I love people, and I found that I enjoyed bringing out the best in people and getting them to feel comfortable in front of the camera. So, I know what I said.....but in the back of my mind I could see myself getting a bit more involved if I start getting requests from people and feel more confident with the lighting. For now, I don't want a lot of work because I'm still in 'learning mode' and I'm still working at my day job. But when I take early retirement I wouldn't be the least surprised if my interest grows. Also, it would be a good way to pick up a little extra money in retirement.<br> The one thing the salesman told me is there can be a color cast with the LEDs, as you mentioned. Even with batch processing, I really don't want that. I'd like to be able to control the lighting so I get the desired result straight from the camera. But I hear what you're saying.....and I've thought perhaps the LEDs would be a good thing to use instead of the on-camera flash for event shooting and such.....especially with a diffuser over it. So I haven't ruled out getting one at some point. At any rate, thanks for weighing in on this.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Thanks so much for all of your responses!</p> <p>Ellis, Yes, this is kind of what I knew instinctively. Yet this salesman was so convincing.....told me the LED is what he used, as if that were enough reason I should also use them. :-) They were very bright to my eye, so I didn't realize they were so much less powerful overall. But I understand what you're saying about the incredibly fast shutter speed and freezing motion aspects of the Einsteins. To be fair to this salesman, the store did sell other much more expensive equipment he could have sold me, but he honestly was personally just really convinced with the LED lights. Of course, I didn't see any of his work, so I have no idea about his credentials as a photographer. That's why I'm turning to you all! :-) Thanks so much for your help!</p> <p>David....yes, I agree that the Einsteins may be more than I need, but they seem so user friendly, and that's an important factor for me. I've done some searching for kits and haven't found anything I was convinced about, and they often had unnecessary things included that I would not use. Having said that, if anyone can direct me to a kit they can recommend, I'm all ears. :-) I realize that you can't because of your location. But I do appreciate your input and help! Thanks! <br> My idea for the set-up would ideally be one large soft box in front, 2 strip soft boxes on each side in back and then a reflector. I'll need to experiment when I get the lights, but I also may want something on the floor with a grid shining up behind the subject. I don't want shadows in the head shots I'll be taking. I need to explore some lighting set-ups online, as well as experiment on my own.</p> <p>Rodeo (love your name BTW....I went to my first rodeo this summer in Augusta, Montana when I was out there attending school.....LOVED it!). Anyway, see my response to Ellis above. This salesman couldn't sing enough praises about the LEDs, though he could have sold me something more expensive. He used them for portraits, but he also used them for product photography. I guess I could see them working okay for products, but now you all have convinced me it's not the way to go for portraits. Thanks!</p> <p>Devon.....another vote for Paul Buff.....great! May I ask what you don't like about the stands? Is there a brand of stands you DO like......and if I get another brand of stand will the Buff soft boxes fit on them? I could call the company to inquire about this, but if you know please share. Thanks! Great to know about their soft boxes. We've just recently down-sized to a much smaller house (for retirement because we plan to travel in our RV much of the year), so collapsible soft boxes would be great to have. Thanks so much!</p> <p>David.....I'd love to find a kit that works. Many have advised me against the kits because of the often questionable quality. But I'm sure there must be some decent ones out there. Of course, it's hard to compare apples to apples because they don't carry this brand over here in the States. Maybe someone will be able to recommend something for me. :-)</p> <p>Craig.....yes, and I haven't completely ruled out going the speed light route for now. I read the strobist, and it makes sense and could save me a lot of money. Still, I'm confused about how I would trigger speed lights. I do know how to use one speed light with a TTL cord, but other than that I'm in the dark. The speed light I have is the Canon 430ex II, which does not work as a commander. At school this summer, they told me it would make a great slave though. I'll go and read through the strobist again.....it's been awhile since I read it, and I've done a fair amount of research since then, so I may be able to make more sense out of it now. Thanks so much!</p> <p> </p>

<p>I'm an experienced photographer and recently returned from the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. But my 'weak link' is lighting, and I'm now faced with needing to buy my own lighting equipment for some upcoming head shots for a local arts organization.<br> I had been looking at the Paul Buff Einstein lights (http://www.paulcbuff.com/e640.php). Since I'm rather technically challenged, I like the downloadable manual and how easy it is to understand.....user friendly. But then today I went to a high-end camera shop here in town and the guy there was telling me about the new LED lights. He said he uses the following LED light for product and portrait photography. http://www.promaster.com/products.asp?product=6042 It has gotten him away from the modeling lights and soft boxes. He simply puts a piece of paper over the LED light, which serves well as a diffuser. <br> When I was at school we used a power box with Pocket Wizard, which I understood how to use. But I don't think I need to get that extravagant, do it? I'm nearing retirement and I don't plan to start a booming portrait business. I simply want to take pictures of family and friends and the occasional 'gig' when it comes along. We plan to travel a lot in retirement and I don't intend to get heavily into portrait or wedding photography (although I have shot both....outdoor wedding and I usually use ambient light for portraits).<br> So my basic question is: for portraits (and portability for off-site shooting), would you go with the traditional halogen modeling light or would you go with the newer constant LED lights? I'm utterly confused by this.....I've been researching, and everyone seems to tell me something different. If you offer an answer, please put it in terms I can understand.....sorry, I'm trying to learn this stuff! :-) Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Andrew, Although I've figured out how to do in with my computer, I'll check out Toast.....never heard of it before. If it's easier, I'm all for it! :-)</p> <p>Edward.....are you saying if I burn images to DVD's now, and at some point in the future my computer OS no longer reads them, wouldn't I at least be able to go to a professional video/audio person like yourself and have them converted to the current format? Kind of like we had VHS tapes, which ultimately had to be converted to discs? So I guess what I'm asking is this......do you think DVDs are a rather safe way of storing images as a 3rd back-up? I already save to 2 external hard drives, but then I also back up to a DVD disc as well.</p>