shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Hello all! So I've never really been able to do any "inside" photos wI think my little girl for a couple reasons. #1) not having the space and #2) not having enough light. We had to put my mother in law in a nursing home a couple months ago, so her little cabin is free for me to use as space, but I'm still met with the lighting dilemma. I have a very special photo that I'm wanting to take of my daughter, and I want to get it right. I have absolutely no experience with lighting, umbrellas, reflectors, the whole nine yards. What would you suggest for someone just starting out and wanting something strictly for personal use only? Nothing professional here. I'll only be taking photos of my family. I'm leaning toward something that's constant on and just adds some extra light to the area, since flash sounds it takes a while to learn. I appreciate all feedback and suggestions.

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Easiest way would be to pick up a light reflector from Ace or Home Depot and put a daylight balance (about 5500 K) light bulb. You can then move it easily, feather it and even diffuse it with some fabric. Above all, have fun!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Try your hand at natural light from a window. You can also add light with a simple white reflector.
Here's a series of great tutorials:
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2014/06/10/window-light-photography-6-striking-ways-to-light-portraits/

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Oh my gosh, I totally never thought of that, and I already have one! I think.. lol! Thank you!

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Natural light is my preference, but I have a couple other obstacles with that. We live in a valley and stay shaded a lot of the day and then her little cabin is only 14x40 total, including the 6th porch. It was meant to be one of those amish built storage buildings, but my husband finished it out as an efficiency aparment more or less. The windows it does have don't really get much light coming in. And I have no room where the windows are due to the kitchen sink, refrigerator, and table. :/ I'll definitely check out the link you gave me though, because eventually we're going to be in a different house with more room, and I also want my own little Amish built storage building to use solely for photography :-D

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

If you are looking for an low cost solution, got to your local hardware store and buy three clamp lights (or buy the Amazon ones below). They come in a couple of sizes and cost around $8 to $12. Buy the larger ones as they are heavier duty and have a bigger reflector which is important. Then buy some high wattage Daylight CFLs like the ones below on Ebay. Do not try to get by with household 22 watt (100 watt incandescent equivalent) from Walmart etc., they won't give off enough light to be really effective. The Ebay ones are 105 watt (400 watt incandescent equivalent) and give you plenty of light to work with.

You can clamp the clamp lights to a chair, bookcase, floor lamp etc. or make a simple tripod out of a broomstick and wood. One hint - the clamps on these lights are OK but not 100% reliable. Once you get the lights set up to your taste secure the clamp in place to its support with duct tape to make sure it does not fall off!

Three lights are ideal as that will give you a main, fill and accent light for under $100 including the roll of duct tape. You can get by with two or one light if cost is a big issue, but three lights gives you a lot more flexibility in planning your lighting.

Clamp Lights on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0061MZ4Q6?keywords=clamp%20lights&qid=1448213123&ref_=sr_1_4&s=hi&sr=1-4

High Wattage CFLs on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-105w-5500K-Continuous-Lighting-Bulb-Fluorescent-Day-light-Photo-Studio-Lamp/281406364062?rt=nc&_soffid=5009493906&_soffType=OrderSubTotalOffer&_trksid=p5731.m3795

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Thank you so much!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I would rethink your objection to flash. It is fairly easy to bounce the flash off the ceiling or a wall, which gives nice soft light, and is easier than setting up constant lighting. With constant lighting you may not have enough light to get a high enough shutter speed to stop action, which isn't a problem with flash.

JimEaco

I am no lighting expert. So I cannot offer up much advice, if any.
You say you want to take a very special photo.
"{I have a very special photo that I'm wanting to take of my daughter,}"

What do yo mean? Do you want a very special effect; or just a high quality keep-sake?
If you are seeking special lighting, shading, effects etc., The UHH Guys and Gals can steer you into a lighting arrangement,

My Gal picked up a $39 set of lights, stands, back-drop and umbrellas. I almost scoffed at a $39 lighting kit!
However she would have the last laugh, because with a Nikon 7100 and a kit lens she has turned out incredible portrait, baby, family and merchandise work.
And she is not opposed to using "AUTO!"

Here in the UHH Forum there are many who enjoy the journey, and some who focus on the destination.

It matters not how you get there, if you get where you want to be.

I am forever impressed by folks that get terrific results with what they have as opposed to the people that are always looking for a piece of equipment to improve their craft.

Good luck with your daughter and your pursuit of a Special photo. I hope you enjoy the time spent creating the shot, and the final results for years to come.

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

No special effects, just high quality keepsake. My daughter was 11 weeks early and spent 59 days in the nicu. I recently saw a post on Facebook where a photographer took a bunch of kids that were preemies and had them hold framed photos of themselves when they were in the nicu. Sort of a "then and now" thing.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

:thumbup:

tomglass Loc: Yorktown, VA

Try:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

Strobist is a great website with lots of good info for someone trying to start.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

A seriously excellent site! :thumbup:

Sherry- You'll get better results faster from one speedlight and an umbrella than you can ever get with those clamp-on shop lights. Using strobe is really not as hard as people make it out to be. As is true in a lot of things, size matters with light too. The clamp-on lights are not big enough to give a soft flattering light and the bright bulbs will make people squint.

The hardest thing about using an off-camera flash is how to put it off camera. A hot-shoe extension cord compatible with your camera/flash will make things easy and let you keep the TTL exposure while using the umbrella without a lot of expense. Personally, I use cordless remote and manual exposure for consistency, but most TTL systems will give you some great results the first time out, w/o having to meter.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Use window light.

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Thank you, I'll check that out.