Studio Lighting and the home

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Vix

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first of all hello! i am new here and have trawled this site looking for my answer.
I am a keen photographer - mostly portraits (kids/friends/family etc) but tend to only take photos in the good weather because of decent lighting. and whilst this has given me some great results I am looking for some lighting that is portable, stable and not technically difficult to use. Please can you offer your wisdom and advice on a home studio set up that will not bankrupt me but that i can perhaps look a bit more professional with. I have been looking at Jessops portaflash kit because it looks good for a beginner but will this sort of thing be any good to me when I get good at this?! backdrops aren't very cheap either are they!.
also I think I would like a softbox as these give that lovely sparkle in peoples eyes (is that true?) excuse my lack of knowledge I am still learning and am far better at composition and getting the picture than i am with technical specs at the moment. I have a canon 350d at the moment (which i can't seem to get on with) but previously had an old pentax which i loved to bits. apreciate any help!
 
I've not heard brilliant comments about the Portaflash stuff - cheap and nasty but with the emphasis on nasty.

I have an Interfit EX150 studio flash kit - 2 stands, 2 flash heads (150W), 1 softbox, 1 brolly and this has been very good. They're not fan cooled so couldn't be used in a professional enviroment.

For a 350D you'll either need a hot shoe adaptor for the trigger cable (not included in kit) or an Ebay special radio trigger system

With the Interfit kit you don't get any tutorials, so a book on lighting would be advisable. I think Jessops / Portaflash have a getting started book, so look at that.
 
thank you for your quick reply.
I have been reading up in books and on the internet as much as time will allow me but I thought asking people who actually used the stuff would save me both time and money. I have only used lighting on a evening course that I once did and it was quite basic. what do you use for backdrops for minimal photoshopping? I want to be able to take great shots that don't need to be 'adjusted' too much. mostly to take photos of babies (my own to start with!) I have been asked by many people to take their portraits and although flattering I am quite scared!
its all a bit mumbo jumbo in my head.
also a bit cheeky and maybe stupid to ask but where do all you professionals get your digital pics printed?
thanking you'all
 
For small shots I have a selection of cardboard backgrounds that I got from my local craft shop. They are all matt and give a nice even background / floor. I've got white, black, deep red, green, yellow and a dayglo yellow.

For portraits I have a roll of white paper, which I tape against a wall. I'd like to get something for proper for this and also a black option.
 
oops, and any "good" books you'd recomend on lighting that don't just show loads of glamour type photos?
 
Vix and andrewC, just thought I'd mention, I got my 5-in-1 backgrounds from Ebay.
They are fully portable and fold down and able to hook onto a stand/suction hook!
They are 100 x 150 cm and the middle is white, with a black trim [this is the zip] and then you have other shades such as blue/black/green/red for different backgrounds.
They're like the lansolite backgrounds, and I paid £47.99 for mine, including delivery.
They fold down to 60 x 60 so are easily transportable.

For more information visit http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/smicktrading/
 
Vix, if you're certain you want to do studio light, I'd highly recommend starting with a monolight and a large softbox. It's simple and easy to set up and use, and can mimic the look of window light. On the rare occasion that I use the studio light, I use a White Lightning 10,000 (the same company that produces Alien Bees, which are cheap and simple as well) and a 60" Photek Softliter. The 60" size is awfully big -- in most cases 48" would do just as well.

Just be sure you really need and want the studio light before you invest. I know a great many portrait photogs who bought them because they thought they should to look/be professional -- and promptly put them into storage when they realized they didn't want or need them. I use mine maybe once every other year.

- CJ
 
thanks cj for that - something to think about.
ice man - i have asked in another link about good studio lighting books. hopefully someone has a fool-proof way of starter lighting scenarios (sp?!)
 
Quote from Diddy Dave from another thread I had

"On another thread here KIM's asked about the best way to use 2 lights, suggesting a) he doesn't know there isn't one - only several different ways depending on the effect/subject; and, b) he's only got 2 lights - not nearly enough to blast a non-white wall & floor into submission"

Thought it might be useful having it in this thread.
 
Hi KIM, now that's a simple question to answer & I get what you mean now

I use 2 softboxes in my studio to light a background 10ft wide. They are 1m boxes positioned pointing slightly downwards and 5ft off the ground, 4ft from the background on either side. Their power output is the same as the key-light (f9 if that matters here:shrug:) and they white out the whole of the background and about 3ft into the usable space

Once a kiddie/dog has been shot in front (v.imp that) of these background lights, only a quick 'wipe' with a 100% opacity white 600px brush is needed to have the subject sat on a totally white background - job done

At a push, and with only 1 or 2 kids sat together, one of these can white-out the background and the other act as key-light. But (as on t'other thread) this isn't big enough to cover a family - HTH this time?
 
Just in case I'm still not clear here, for a family I'd use 2 lights on the background alone, and a 3rd as key-light with an even bigger softbox

2 lights will do for very small groups only

I think that's clearer - if not pm me and I'll explain by phone! LOL
 
The two books I have are:

Lighting for Photographers by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz (the husband and wife team who write for Amateur Photographer)

The Complete Guide to Light and Lighting in Digital Photography by Michael Freeman

The latter was a present so didn't choose it myself, but has plenty of useful tips. The former is more substance than style which itself is not a bad thing. I'd suggest a trip to your local bookshop and have a browse, or even the good old fashioned lending library - they often have a good selection of photography books, some biased towards film but its only the recording method and processing methods that have changed. The principles of getting the picture in the can (or on the card) remain the same.
 
DiddyDave said:
Typical 'wifey' design!

Stick furniture where camera gear needs to go - they are just not considerate enough eh?

Same problem trying to put a Pool table in my daughter's bedroom, they just don't get it - women! Pah
Click to expand...

I had a new bedroom built - 16" x 12.8" and I wanted Pool table in one corner and drinks cabinet in the other, with a small bed in the centre. Wife says No :D

PS Did I mention the screen that would come down from the ceiling.
 
I'm having a house built just for me and my hobbies/toys (in my dreams)

20 rooms, 1 bedroom, small bog with shower, all the rest to play in of various types - no kitchen as I have a phone and 11 takeaways nearby!

Feel free to visit, but you'll have to camp in the garden - no 'room' in the house
 
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