getting my self confused now....

[Robbo]

looking into lights etc, I dont know if to get umbrella soft boxes, a mix of both. Use with my Canon flashes, get some 200w Lencarta light, two, three, 4 ? two for the bg and two for the person?!!? ARGHHHH

So.......Do I 'really' need 4? as I have been suggested to get, is it essential that I have two for the BG?

The area I am going to be working in it roughly....4x3

 

[AliB]

It depends what you want the result to be!

You can shoot with one light, one light and a reflector right up to a whole battery of the things.

You need to start with the end (if that makes sense) and reverse engineer it.

 

[Garry Edwards]

It depends what you want the result to be!

You can shoot with one light, one light and a reflector right up to a whole battery of the things.

You need to start with the end (if that makes sense) and reverse engineer it.

Agreed.
Why not start with a 2 head kit with 1 softbox and 1 umbrella?
That won't be enough for chavgrounds beautiful pure white backgrounds but it will be plenty for a lot of different lighting effects.
There are benefits, as a learning tool, of buying just one light and then adding to it as your knowledge/experience increases, but there are big savings involved in buying a kit.

 

[Robbo]

I plan on this.....

Getting a back drop system with White, black and maybe a chrome key, although not sure how much use the last would get.

I plan on doing portraits, people, dogs, kids etc and the likes.

Also some stuff for work a softbox and off camera flash would be very useful.

So would I be able to get what I need with keeping two flash, one as slave the other wireless. Or would inideally needs lamps?

There was a Lancarta kit with two lamps, reflects and softbox and one umbrella..... So far that seems the most sensible option as I get bits of everything to build from.

I just don't want to get things I might not need.

Like I say the space will be in a 4x3 area.

 

[AdamPearcey]

I plan on this.....

Getting a back drop system with White, black and maybe a chrome key, although not sure how much use the last would get.

I plan on doing portraits, people, dogs, kids etc and the likes.

Also some stuff for work a softbox and off camera flash would be very useful.

So would I be able to get what I need with keeping two flash, one as slave the other wireless. Or would inideally needs lamps?

There was a Lancarta kit with two lamps, reflects and softbox and one umbrella..... So far that seems the most sensible option as I get bits of everything to build from.

I just don't want to get things I might not need.

Like I say the space will be in a 4x3 area.

You can pick white and black backgrounds up for less than £10.00 each
I don't think chroma key goes very well. Got a green one myself if you want it for £10.00? Not been used much and its threaded to fix a backdrop stand through it.
IMO I don't like them because theres alot of PP involved and you need to tell your subject to wear specific things. Even if you manage to get the cut out from greenscreen right, it usually still looks odd from the background and you'll always have problems with hair unless you have years of experience.

I've had umbrellas & softboxes, I honestly prefer the diffusion dome supplied with my SB-900's. I seem to get a better effect in my eye and they arn't so bulky. Also, unlike studio lights, I dont need a mains or heavy power pack. (Also due to the fact I'm useless with Watts!)