Lighting Set Up

saul01

saul01

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Hello,

I am interested in learning off camera flash/lighting and would like some help on a lighting set up for portraits at home. My knowledge of photography is okay and would classify myself as a keen amateur.

I own a Nikon D7000 and at the moment only have the kit 18-105mm lens. I would like to add a flash or studio head to my collection and will also be purchasing a prime lens for the portraits ( advise/recommendations most welcome).

Now my question is would I be better off purchasing a studio light over a flash? given that they both cost approximately the same amount of money (I was thinking of the Lencarta SmartFlash 2 or similar).

What other things would I need to look into?

Many Thanks

Saul.
 
Hi Saul,

It all depends on your budget and also what type of portraits you wish to take and the space available to you.

I would say may be start with one flash, light stand and a shoot through umbrella, before you move up to studio lights.

If you confirm the above I am sure you will get better answers.

Kev
 
My fault should have added this sort of information. My budget for the flash/light is around £150, I think the key thing here is that I progress as I learn and therefore was thinking more to go with the studio light.

I already have some light stands and a popup white background. in terms of workspace I have approx 3m long by 2m wide living room space. Types of portraits will be head/shoulder and half portraits for the moment.
 
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Strobes (studio lights) can be easier to learn with because they are fitted with modelling lights, these have the benefit of enabling you to see how the shadows will fall before you take the shot. The downside is the lack of portability.
If you already have a stand you could get a Yongnuo 560 flash for about £60 to start out with.
In addition I would recommend getting hold of a copy of a couple of books, 1 is Light, Science and Magic and the other is the Speedlighters Handbook by Syl Arena. Both will help you get an understanding of how light works in photography.
 
A lot of people will say get strobes but for at home i have found speedlights to be perfectly adequate. I recently bought the Yongnuo 560 iv flash along with the 560tx control unit which is incredibly easy to use. It also allows you to add more flashes if you feel the need.

I would advise one flash and one tx unit (£83 for both) and then add a second flash once you feel that one light is holding you back. Learn how the light works and what settings do what to it. Don't think that loads of light will make it better/easier and rush in with loads of gear. Understand one light completely then progress to more.

Watch loads of YouTube videos and read lots too. Try it out, post the results, ask for crit, try again, rinse and repeat. Most of all, HAVE FUN with it!
 
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minnnt said:
A lot of people will say get strobes but for at home i have found speedlights to be perfectly adequate. I recently bought the Yongnuo 560 iv flash along with the 560tx control unit which is incredibly easy to use. It also allows you to add more flashes if you feel the need.

I would advise one flash and one tx unit (£83 for both) and then add a second flash once you feel that one light is holding you back. Learn how the light works and what settings do what to it. Don't think that loads of light will make it better/easier and rush in with loads of gear. Understand one light completely then progress to more.

Watch loads of YouTube videos and read lots too. Try it out, post the results, ask for crit, try again, rinse and repeat. Most of all, HAVE FUN with it!
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I know I maybe getting ahead of myself, but does this flash combi allow ttl function whilst camera is in manual? That is what I have been seeing/reading on some of the threads on here.
 
Nope, fully manual. If you want TTL then the cost will be more. I used Meike mk910's which are fully compatible with the D7000's CLS system. They're 75 quid a pop from eBay.

Personally, for at home OCF i would just go with a manual system. Simples and once you get used to the settings then TTL will become less important. Or at least it did for me anyway.
 
I think in learning terms the manual will be the better option. Thank you for your advise, will have to look into this over the weekend properly. I am also bidding on a Nissin Di866 II at the moment, so may have this by the weekend also. Will still pick up the Yongnuo set as well.

Would it be better to use a softbox or a shoot through umbrella with the flash?
 
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All valid comments above. If you want to take pics of kids may be start with an umbrella. I have the westcott one which is a 2 in 1.

Build up as you go otherwise you will accumulate stuff you may not use.
 
saul01 said:
I think in learning terms the manual will be the better option. Thank you for your advise, will have to look into this over the weekend properly. I am also bidding on a Nissin Di866 II at the moment, so may have this by the weekend also. Will still pick up the Yongnuo set as well.
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TTL is useful but you should be fully manual in a studio environment as there's not a lot of variables and you want consistency.

With a little practice you'll come to know roughly what settings to use in a specific environment without having the equipment in place.

saul01 said:
Would it be better to use a softbox or a shoot through umbrella with the flash?
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One modifier isn't better than another, you need to choose the one that provides the right qualities for the shot you're trying to achieve which you can't do until you've got a bit of experience in how this stuff actually works. In an ideal world you'll have whatever modifiers you need to hand but as a stepping stone an umbrella and softbox will get you started and this is an area where a studio head is more useful than an on camera flash as there's vastly more modifiers available.
 
Hi Guys,

Just an update I have won the bid on the flash, so now own a Nissin Di866. With the flash out of the way and taking advice from all I have decided to buy both a softbox (this one as recommended by Phil V on another thread) and a shoot through umbrella (this one), the thought being that I will be able to try both and see what each other has to offer.

Now should I still purchase the Yongnuo combi kit as recommended by minnt ?, or a just a trigger kit?
 
Wait to see what you turns up up and the results you get, I've spent I small fortune on kit and most sits in the bag whilst the speed light and a reflector does the work.... Push your kit to the limit until it can't give you what you need, then invest some more
 
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saul01 said:
Hi Guys,

Just an update I have won the bid on the flash, so now own a Nissin Di866. With the flash out of the way and taking advice from all I have decided to buy both a softbox (this one as recommended by Phil V on another thread) and a shoot through umbrella (this one), the thought being that I will be able to try both and see what each other has to offer.

Now should I still purchase the Yongnuo combi kit as recommended by minnt ?, or a just a trigger kit?
Click to expand...
To make the most of what the Nissin flash can do, get a YN622 and a TX kit.
More expensive than a simple trigger, but you'll be able to set the flash power from the camera position, and if you ever need to use it with ETTL it'll work for that too.
 
Thank you all. I think I will go with Phil V's advise and get the YN622 & TX kit, seems a better investment over future purchases.
 
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