Getting Started - Single Light/Softbox Combo

monkeyleader

monkeyleader

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Nigel
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Morning,

For me Portrait photography is something that interests me greatly, but not one that I've ever had too much experience with. I'm considering getting myself my very first (and potentially only?) lighting setup. If you had to choose one light/soft-box combo for the getting started person what would it be? Setup would be mainly used inside ...

Note - already have a Speedight EX430 II...(not sure if your recommendation would be to go with 1 light or an additional light at this stage?)

cheers,

Nigel
 
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If you plan to use it outside? What time of day? Looking for shade or in open sunlight?
 
What Mike said^ though you can probably get a single head kit if that suits your budget/style.
Depending on your budget, you might want to look through the 'atom vs safari' threads and start with a kit you can use outdoors that will also form the beginnings of a studio setup.
 
It really depends on how much you want to spend.

I am not an expert and still learning, both Phil and Mike know what they are talking about, but when I was looking into to taking better photos of my kids I invested in a soft box and lightstand as I did not want to spend a lot of money.

I already had a SB800 and the softbox worked and did give better pictures but using OCF takes a lot of trying and knowledge. I have since bought an shoot through umbrella and triggers but have not had a chance to use it all properly.
 
Using a single light source makes sense from a lighting point of view and I always encourage people to use just one until they have exhausted all of the possibilities with that one light - which, if done properly, will take a long time:)
Then, introduce a second light, which will allow much more creativity and flexibility.

In financial terms though, it makes sense to buy a kit because pretty well all suppliers discount kits heavily.
For example, you can buy a SmartFlash 2 kit with 2 umbrellas, 2 stands, 2 lighting heads, 2 standard reflectors, 1 remote transmitter/radio trigger and 2 radio receivers for £299.99
Buy one head, 1 stand, 1 lighting head, 1 standard reflector, 1 umbrella, 1 remote transmitter/radio trigger and 1 radio receiver and the total cost is rather more than half at £214.99
 
If it was me (and this is what I did) I would just go with getting a set of triggers, stand, head and diffuser of your choice. Learn everything you can do with one light and how the flash holds you back then if you decide it's for you, invest in some bigger equipment.
 
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