Portrait Photography????
Feb 8, 2012 18:55:40 #
Let me start by saying that I am not a portrait photographer, nor do I intend to become one. I'm just setting up a small "studio" for family, nieces and nephews ect. I have a 17-35mm, and a 100mm. Those will have to do, a step forward or a step back. Since this is for fun, there is a budget involved. My question is about the lighting. I have found a couple of kits for around $200. Would it be better to go with a continuous softbox kit (set of 2), or an umbrella strobe that is triggered by a cable or my flash?
The 2 that I'm looking at are: Smith-Vector (mfr # 401456) 3 lights, 2 umbrellas & Interfit (mfr # Int151) 2 softboxes.
Thanx
The 2 that I'm looking at are: Smith-Vector (mfr # 401456) 3 lights, 2 umbrellas & Interfit (mfr # Int151) 2 softboxes.
Thanx
Feb 8, 2012 19:04:58 #
I just started with lighting and I went with continuous light as it let's me see what my lighting looks like before I hit the shutter.
Feb 8, 2012 20:27:30 #
With continuous light, you may not get as much depth of field as with flash without a rather long exposure (so you risk subject movement)...and your lights are very bright and hot on your subject.
Feb 8, 2012 21:29:12 #
DavidT wrote:
With continuous light, you may not get as much depth of field as with flash without a rather long exposure (so you risk subject movement)...and your lights are very bright and hot on your subject.
The new continuous lighting systems do not get as hot as the old ones (so I have been told).
Feb 8, 2012 21:42:56 #
aaron
Loc: brooklyn ny
Not all continuous lighting unots are equal. The cheaper ones have weaker bulbs thereby forcing u to use a larger f/stop. Lots of light gets lost using umbrellas. The stands may be the best part of the deal. good luck
Feb 8, 2012 22:02:10 #
DavidT wrote:
With continuous light, you may not get as much depth of field as with flash without a rather long exposure (so you risk subject movement)...and your lights are very bright and hot on your subject.
David, have you seen MWAC's portraits?. She has photographed a couple of young girls much like the needs of Pigpen. Her portraits are very nice with the continuous system.
Feb 8, 2012 22:51:16 #
nikron7 wrote:
David, have you seen MWAC's portraits?. She has photographed a couple of young girls much like the needs of Pigpen. Her portraits are very nice with the continuous system.
DavidT wrote:
With continuous light, you may not get as much depth of field as with flash without a rather long exposure (so you risk subject movement)...and your lights are very bright and hot on your subject.
David, have you seen MWAC's portraits?. She has photographed a couple of young girls much like the needs of Pigpen. Her portraits are very nice with the continuous system.
Thank you. You know you guys are going to make my head swell up so big I won't be able to get out the front door.
Feb 8, 2012 23:51:58 #
I think for long-term flexibility, a strobe system is superior. HOWEVER, there are real advantages with continuos light to learn lighting since you can see the light patterns prior to the shoot much better than with the modeling lights on strobes.
If you get the new daylight-balanced fluorescent systems, they are much cooler (temperature cool, not Joe cool) than tungsten/incandescent systems.
I prefer the strobe system myself for the brighter light and accompanying smaller f/stop for better DOF control, but you will learn with either system and can graduate to thousand dollar lights later. :-)
If you get the new daylight-balanced fluorescent systems, they are much cooler (temperature cool, not Joe cool) than tungsten/incandescent systems.
I prefer the strobe system myself for the brighter light and accompanying smaller f/stop for better DOF control, but you will learn with either system and can graduate to thousand dollar lights later. :-)
Feb 9, 2012 00:28:12 #
MWAC, every time I see your avatar I feel a lot younger and I'm 61...Best portraiture ever!
I agree to starting with continuous lights. 15 years ago I was making my own with shop light fixtures and 48" daylight tubes. On color film I had a blue tinge. Photoshop can now fix all those old film portraits. With B&W I will use whatever cheap light source I can find. Even the Sun.
I agree to starting with continuous lights. 15 years ago I was making my own with shop light fixtures and 48" daylight tubes. On color film I had a blue tinge. Photoshop can now fix all those old film portraits. With B&W I will use whatever cheap light source I can find. Even the Sun.
MWAC wrote:
quote=nikron7 quote=DavidT With continuous light... (show quote)
Feb 9, 2012 09:16:20 #
If you're shooting children, I'd opt for the strobe light. I love continuous because it makes it easier to see what the lights are doing but kids need the flash to stop their movement. In my experience they are always moving.
Feb 9, 2012 09:23:44 #
Be aware that with continuous portrait lighting, if it's bright enough for reasonable ISO's, apertures and shutter speeds, the subject will normally tend to squint, which will certainly not look natural and relaxed. Also, with DSLR's you have a chance to observe each image as its taken. So, I prefer strobes in soft boxes primarily and umbrellas secondly.
Feb 9, 2012 09:49:59 #
Although I agree that getting a low end strobe with an umbrella and a reflector or two strobes is the best solution overall...However, I did attend a demonstration by Olympus a few years back where they set up a full portrait studio using PVC pipe and clamp-on flood lights, with painter's canvas drop cloths for the backdrop--all from Home Depot, . Their results were incredible! White balanced to the light temperature, careful framing...and oh ya, they had a professional photographer doing the demonstration. But their point was that you don't really need expensive lights to get great pictures (that is if you used their cameras and dye-sub printer...).
Feb 9, 2012 11:04:10 #
I'm like you I like to see what I get before I shoot. I have 2 of these 1 front 1 for the back. Try a set you'll like it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400168464140?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400168464140?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Feb 9, 2012 13:22:11 #
I am not a pro either. I love doing portraits of females and encourage them to put on crazy hats, scarves, etc.
I shoot in natural light. I have a deck on my place that is only open on one side. That way I can control the ambient light and put reflectors if I wish around the other three walls.
The rest is PSE, PS CS5, Lightroom, and Topaz filters.
Tom
I shoot in natural light. I have a deck on my place that is only open on one side. That way I can control the ambient light and put reflectors if I wish around the other three walls.
The rest is PSE, PS CS5, Lightroom, and Topaz filters.
Tom
Feb 9, 2012 18:57:04 #
Thanks for all the help guys. Th kit you showed Billybob40, is quite affordable. For a few more $ they have the 3 light kit.
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