Basic one or two light home set up for taking pics of the kids

gad-westy

gad-westy

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I realise this must have been done to death on here but it's not the easiest search to filter so apologies.

Going around in circles on this one. I'd like to take some studio style pics of the kids in the house. I use a flash a bit but not done anything like this before so treat me as a beginner. I guess I'm looking for a background and one or two light stands with either modifiers or reflectors.

I have two wireless triggers and two flash units already.

Am I best considering a one light set up with reflector or two lights and if so what sort of modifiers?

Should state this will be for very occasional use so I'd love the whole lot to come in south of £100.
 
Generally:

Forget the background, home studio shots with cheap backgrounds generally look cheap and nasty, be creative and shoot with 'natural' backgrounds. The important thing is the lighting and posing.

What do you mean by you have 2 'flash units' we need to know what they are to recommend what will work with them effectively.
 
Hi

I am trying to learn the same thing. To start off I am using a single flash with a softbox. Just using a plain wall for a background but want to invest in something that does not get creased and can fold down small.

For the light stands I bought a konig ones off amazon, for softbox you need to decide if you want an umbrella style or the ez softbox type. I prefer the umbrella style as they are easy to put away.

You could also start of with a shoot through umbrella if you don't want to buy a softbox now. If you go via the umbrella style set up you will also have to get a clamp to hold the umbrella and flash in place on a stand.
 
Phil V said:
Generally:

Forget the background, home studio shots with cheap backgrounds generally look cheap and nasty, be creative and shoot with 'natural' backgrounds. The important thing is the lighting and posing.

What do you mean by you have 2 'flash units' we need to know what they are to recommend what will work with them effectively.
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Thanks Phil. Main reason for wanting some sort of background is just because there are so few 'clean' surfaces in the house to use as an appropriate background but I'll give that some thought. What's the entry point for half decent background and stand?

Flash units are a Nikon SB700 and Meike 910. Yonguo 603 Triggers.
 
sep9001 said:
Hi

I am trying to learn the same thing. To start off I am using a single flash with a softbox. Just using a plain wall for a background but want to invest in something that does not get creased and can fold down small.

For the light stands I bought a konig ones off amazon, for softbox you need to decide if you want an umbrella style or the ez softbox type. I prefer the umbrella style as they are easy to put away.

You could also start of with a shoot through umbrella if you don't want to buy a softbox now. If you go via the umbrella style set up you will also have to get a clamp to hold the umbrella and flash in place on a stand.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kev. Several things to look up there. Are you happy with the konig stands?
 
sep9001 said:
Hi

I am trying to learn the same thing. To start off I am using a single flash with a softbox. Just using a plain wall for a background but want to invest in something that does not get creased and can fold down small.
...
Click to expand...
That's the 'holy grail' for backgrounds (it's not going to happen)

A cheap muslin background folds up small and is easily storable, and creases like hell.

Paper roll backgrounds are fairly easy to store, aren't hideously expensive, but people still find them a bind because the 'fairly easy to store' isn't that straightforward

Vinyl is more crease resistant and harder wearing but is heavy (requires better more expensive stands) and more expensive - ignore the cheap vinyl, it doesn't have the real advantage you get from the heavier stuff.

And please don't try for white - it has it's own issues.
 
This is the softbox I recommend for speedlights, decent quality at a really good price

Then you'll need an umbrella bracket/ speedlight mount (2 for the price of 1 :)) for your other stand (brollies are cheap, consider them consumables)

I can't recommend an entry level background, because I simply don't recommend them, they're generally crap (sorry that's not the answer you were looking for) :(

A decent paper background set will eat most of your budget.
 
Phil, I have a similar softbox and find it takes a while to setup which is why I prefer the umbrella style ones.
 
Thanks again gents. Loads to think about here and point well and truly taken about the backgrounds. I'd rather by once well than get something useless. Does make me wonder if I'd be better considering occasional hire of local studio at £20 per hour.
 
sep9001 said:
Phil, I have a similar softbox and find it takes a while to setup which is why I prefer the umbrella style ones.
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It pops open in seconds*. If you think that's 'a while' you should try the traditional ones with rods.

Just timed it - from the start of unzipping the bag to popped open is 8 secs :D
 
gad-westy said:
Thanks again gents. Loads to think about here and point well and truly taken about the backgrounds. I'd rather by once well than get something useless. Does make me wonder if I'd be better considering occasional hire of local studio at £20 per hour.
Click to expand...
If you can get one, and there's someone to explain how everything works - that's a bargain.
 
Phil V said:
It pops open in seconds*. If you think that's 'a while' you should try the traditional ones with rods.

Just timed it - from the start of unzipping the bag to popped open is 8 secs :D
Click to expand...

Thanks, will dig my one out and give it another go.
 
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