Need advice on home/indoor lighting setup please

[erics_dad]

Hi folks,

Decided to edit my post, no replies, probably too many questions

OK, I'm getting started in photography and will be taking more "still life" type shots with the goal to eventually photograph people (but more like people in office settings like sitting at a desk, or people in business-related clothing like plumber, baker, etc.).

I don't have a great camera and would like to upgrade to a DSLR and thinking of either the d3200 or d5100 body only. The d5100 seems cheaper. Also, a lot of people mention getting a 35mm f1.8 Nikkor (G series?)...maybe the 50mm f1.8. I hear the picture quality is great and good bokeh but not sure if I need bokeh effects now...however, better picture quality is obviously worth it.

For now, what I CAN afford and NEED is a good indoor lighting set up. Below is what I'm about to purchase (more or less):

1) 2 x umbrella continuous lighting kits (2 stands, 2 bulbs, 2 umbrellas)
2) 2 softboxes (would I really need these if I have #1 above or is it good to have both "types" of lighting sources?
3) Background - I'm assuming cloth (muslin that's machine washable and can be ironed) is better than paper?
4) Background stand
5) 2 x 5-in-one reflectors (w/gold, silver, etc.)

Optional:

6) Photographic table with translucent sheet which would be good for relatively small-ish objects but a bit pricey.

I don't know if a background roll/stand is best for "still life" as everything would need to be on the floor but maybe that's how you do it. I've been using a "table" and white sheet of paper.

Anyway, would love any advice about the above items for my indoor studio. Do I need #1 (continuous lighting umbrellas/lights) AND #2 (softboxes)? Or will one do? I'd be shooting in a dark room NOT relying on daylight so would need enough light.

Thanks for any advice.

Scott

 

[nikontos]

I like your approach - starting with light rather than expensive camera! However, before you know what equipment you will exactly need I would recommend not buying a whole lightning kit, well unless money is no object or you are buying a second hand quality kit that can be upgraded or sold easily. Just to get some tips on how things can be done with some improvisation check out the strobist discussions on flickr or their homepage.

 

[Pmc2011]

First thing slow down...... That is a big old list for someone who is just starting out,

First thing you want a dslr either of your options you listed would be great both very good e cameras to start with.

Then learn to use it.........

As far as your studio kit goes. You don't want continuous lighting and you don't need 4 lights to begin with it will take you plenty of time to learn to use 1 effectively if your urging then get 2 flash units and mount within a softbox these and a reflecter will cover majority of your needs.

White Muslim or 100% cotton white is correct but white backgrounds are harder to work with for a beggineer black is easier.

 

[HoppyUK]

^^^ Sounds like good advice to me.

Get a decent camera (with kit zoom) and learn the basics first. Read, take lots of pictures, understand what's working and what isn't, ask questions, put some funds to one side and then get what you need as and when. Jumping in the deep end before you know which way is up will be frustrating and expensive, pretty much guaranteed.

And welcome to TP

 

[erics_dad]

I like your approach - starting with light rather than expensive camera! However, before you know what equipment you will exactly need I would recommend not buying a whole lightning kit, well unless money is no object or you are buying a second hand quality kit that can be upgraded or sold easily. Just to get some tips on how things can be done with some improvisation check out the strobist discussions on flickr or their homepage.

Hi Ed, thank you for your advice.

Well, I did buy some relatively cheap kit from ebay and hope it'll do the trick. That's a great point about being able to resell later on. Hmmm. I didn't buy as much stuff as I listed above but, I really do need lighting as the past couple of months I've relied on natural daylight so hopefully I'll be able to produce sufficient light in my room/studio particularly at night as I need more control of the light than what I've got (2 skylight windows).

I'll check out that thread on Flickr too! Thanks for mentioning it

First thing slow down...... That is a big old list for someone who is just starting out,

First thing you want a dslr either of your options you listed would be great both very good e cameras to start with.

Then learn to use it.........

As far as your studio kit goes. You don't want continuous lighting and you don't need 4 lights to begin with it will take you plenty of time to learn to use 1 effectively if your urging then get 2 flash units and mount within a softbox these and a reflecter will cover majority of your needs.

White Muslim or 100% cotton white is correct but white backgrounds are harder to work with for a beggineer black is easier.

Thank you as well Phin! Yeah, you're right, probably jumping the gun a little lol.

I'm saving up now for a dSLR and still torn between d3200 and d5100. From doing research, I now want a d7000 which I realise even the 3200/5100 is probably a better place to start. From reading this forum and others, some folks say they wished they'd just saved up for the d7000 but again, I know it depends on how serious one wants to get as well as what they'll be shooting. The issue I have is my camera is only a Pentax x90 and seems to be much inferior to the more affordable Nikon dSLRs.

Anyway, digitalrev.com seem to have some good deals.

Quick question (to anyone): Say I go for the d5100 but get body only. I'm torn between the 35mm f1.8g and the 50mm f1.8g. I'm thinking the 50mm. Sounds like that lens is a good "all-rounder" and while I may not be ready for portraits, it seems like it could work well with "macro" or product/still life photography. Sound reasonable?

As far as lighting, I may have used the term "continuous" too loosely (newbie trying to sound "educated"). What I'm after is lighting where I can photograph relatively small objects/still lifes and not have to worry if we have a sunny or bright day.

I have shot over 1100 photos of products/objects already. The problem is that when I took these shots, I relied on daylight coming in to my studio from the skylights. I used white foamboard as a reflector and used my home-made mounted flash diffuser which definitely helped soften shadows.

Now that the days are shorter, and wanting to control the lighting "scene" as much as possible, that's why I wanted softboxes, reflectors, etc.

I opted for 2 softboxes, one reflector for now. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the lighting will be like.

Anyway, sorry for the long reply. Thank you for all your suggestions!!

^^^ Sounds like good advice to me.

Get a decent camera (with kit zoom) and learn the basics first. Read, take lots of pictures, understand what's working and what isn't, ask questions, put some funds to one side and then get what you need as and when. Jumping in the deep end before you know which way is up will be frustrating and expensive, pretty much guaranteed.

And welcome to TP

Thank you for the reply and welcoming me here, Richard!

I definitely agree about the camera. Gotta save for it first unfortunately. Sounds like you also agree that maybe a 3200/5100 is the way to go? Should I save a bit longer and get a d7000 so I can "grow into it"?

As far as kit zoom, do you mean just get the camera body and choose a particular zoom lens (not the standard kit lens?). Any recommended type?

For the record, while I am a newbie, I have taken a couple photography courses in the past, back when 35mm film and darkrooms were the norm lol. So, I know a little about F Stops, SS, ISO, core shadows, softening shadows, etc. I still consider myself a total newbie and will definitely take your advice on taking lots of pictures, studying, and so on.

Cheers

 

[HoppyUK]

Hi Ed, thank you for your advice.

Well, I did buy some relatively cheap kit from ebay and hope it'll do the trick. That's a great point about being able to resell later on. Hmmm. I didn't buy as much stuff as I listed above but, I really do need lighting as the past couple of months I've relied on natural daylight so hopefully I'll be able to produce sufficient light in my room/studio particularly at night as I need more control of the light than what I've got (2 skylight windows).

I'll check out that thread on Flickr too! Thanks for mentioning it




Thank you as well Phin! Yeah, you're right, probably jumping the gun a little lol.

I'm saving up now for a dSLR and still torn between d3200 and d5100. From doing research, I now want a d7000 which I realise even the 3200/5100 is probably a better place to start. From reading this forum and others, some folks say they wished they'd just saved up for the d7000 but again, I know it depends on how serious one wants to get as well as what they'll be shooting. The issue I have is my camera is only a Pentax x90 and seems to be much inferior to the more affordable Nikon dSLRs.

Anyway, digitalrev.com seem to have some good deals.

Quick question (to anyone): Say I go for the d5100 but get body only. I'm torn between the 35mm f1.8g and the 50mm f1.8g. I'm thinking the 50mm. Sounds like that lens is a good "all-rounder" and while I may not be ready for portraits, it seems like it could work well with "macro" or product/still life photography. Sound reasonable?

As far as lighting, I may have used the term "continuous" too loosely (newbie trying to sound "educated"). What I'm after is lighting where I can photograph relatively small objects/still lifes and not have to worry if we have a sunny or bright day.

I have shot over 1100 photos of products/objects already. The problem is that when I took these shots, I relied on daylight coming in to my studio from the skylights. I used white foamboard as a reflector and used my home-made mounted flash diffuser which definitely helped soften shadows.

Now that the days are shorter, and wanting to control the lighting "scene" as much as possible, that's why I wanted softboxes, reflectors, etc.

I opted for 2 softboxes, one reflector for now. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the lighting will be like.

Anyway, sorry for the long reply. Thank you for all your suggestions!!



Thank you for the reply and welcoming me here, Richard!

I definitely agree about the camera. Gotta save for it first unfortunately. Sounds like you also agree that maybe a 3200/5100 is the way to go? Should I save a bit longer and get a d7000 so I can "grow into it"?

As far as kit zoom, do you mean just get the camera body and choose a particular zoom lens (not the standard kit lens?). Any recommended type?

For the record, while I am a newbie, I have taken a couple photography courses in the past, back when 35mm film and darkrooms were the norm lol. So, I know a little about F Stops, SS, ISO, core shadows, softening shadows, etc. I still consider myself a total newbie and will definitely take your advice on taking lots of pictures, studying, and so on.

Cheers

Get the best camera you can reasonably afford. You need a DSLR for better quality and the larger sensor gives more control over depth of field. What will the D7000 do for you that a D3100 will not? The difference is mainly in convenience and features (like video or fold-out screen) rather than basic capability.

Get one of the regular kit zooms. They're cheap, decent quality, and versatile. Why do you want a 35mm or 50mm f/1.8? Until you can asnwer that question convincingly, leave them for now. Their fixed focal lengths are much more restricting than a zoom and the main benefit is the low f/number for shallow depth of field effects, which is the last thing you'll need for close-ups and table-top work where DoF is minimal anyway.

Just get the camera and kit zoom first, use it and explore it's capabilities. Kit zooms are so cheap and useful it's just a no-brainer. Maybe you'll then find you'd like a macro, or macro attachment, or fancy a bash at shallow DoF, or a tele-zoom, or a wide-angle for landscapes, tripod, flash and lighting equipment etc etc. You could go in any number of directions and there are 101 options along the way, but only you will know that and, a bit like reading a map, you cannot decide on which direction to take until you first know where you are.

 

[erics_dad]

Awesome advice Richard! Thank you!

OK, will probably go for the 3200 or 5100 and look at kit zoom...unless you mean the "standard" kit zoom that comes with the camera. Although, I know you can buy the body only.

I have seen shots of the 50mm f1.8 and the bokeh effects and they are pretty cool. But, maybe not "right" for product type still lifes. Having said that, I have seen some nice bokeh effects of products shots (e.g. stock photos on bigstock/istockphoto) etc. where the blurred DoF can create a nice effect.

Anyway, just thinking out loud here.

Thanks again for solid advice mate!

 

[HoppyUK]

Awesome advice Richard! Thank you!

OK, will probably go for the 3200 or 5100 and look at kit zoom...unless you mean the "standard" kit zoom that comes with the camera. Although, I know you can buy the body only.

I have seen shots of the 50mm f1.8 and the bokeh effects and they are pretty cool. But, maybe not "right" for product type still lifes. Having said that, I have seen some nice bokeh effects of products shots (e.g. stock photos on bigstock/istockphoto) etc. where the blurred DoF can create a nice effect.

Anyway, just thinking out loud here.

Thanks again for solid advice mate!

Nikon offers a few different kit zoom options. They're all basically similar and do much the same job - 18mm to 55-70mm or whatever. Take your pic.

Sure bokeh effects are nice, though bokeh is related to both f/number and focal length and relative distances of subjects in the shot. Worry about all that later, and first take a look at how shallow depth of field is when you're shooting close up anyway, when it is dramatically reduced. You will get much less DoF with a DSLR than you're currently getting with your Pentax X90 at similar f/numbers.