New member - advice on studio lighting needed

[jondy]

Having read the sticky in this forum and lots of other articles, I'm still trying to decide what lighting set up I need for my needs.

I want to start shooting stills for my business website (giftshop), which will involve interior and exterior shots of the shop itself but mostly product shots. Some of these will be tabletop size, others shot against a background on the floor.

I'm thinking in terms of a studio starter kit but don't know whether two heads or three is necessary. Also, what's the minimum in terms of diffusers/umbrellas etc.? Quality is also an issue. I've seen two head systems for under £200 but is it worth buying these?

I use a Canon 450D.

Thanks for any help.

 

[srichards]

I'm looking at getting into product photography too. Looked at lencarta 3 head kits but they're £750 ish. Was looking at another cheaper one but there seems to be reliability issues. Not sure what I'd need in terms of snoots, softboxes and other gizmos either.

Seen a second hand 2 head kit on cash converters. 169 quid. In something was the make. They're supposedly aimed at the professional and german so you'd hope they'd be good but a few people seem to have had issues with them.

It would be good if there was somewhere that had lots of brands that could be demo'd so you could get an idea of how they behaved and was demonstrated by someone that actually knew about lighting. Sometimes you just don't know if something is any good till you get your mitts on it.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I'm looking at getting into product photography too. Looked at lencarta 3 head kits but they're £750 ish

True, but I've just heard that the SmartFlash heads are now ready to leave the factory. Hopefully they'll be in stock in a week or so, and that will save £215 on a 3 head kit.

It would be good if there was somewhere that had lots of brands that could be demo'd so you could get an idea of how they behaved and was demonstrated by someone that actually knew about lighting. Sometimes you just don't know if something is any good till you get your mitts on it.

Also true, but I doubt whether it will ever happen. Studio kits take up a lot of display and stock space, and most shops either don't stock them at all or only stock a very limited range, usually from one supplier. And even if they know their subject, it can be optimistic to expect them to be impartial when they make higher margins from some brands than others...

I'm thinking in terms of a studio starter kit but don't know whether two heads or three is necessary.Up to a point, more heads just make it easier, but more also increases versatility - for example, if you don't want white backgrounds (and especially if you don't need to light the background at all) then 2 heads will be fine, but you'll definately 3 if you want pure white backgrounds

Also, what's the minimum in terms of diffusers/umbrellas etc.?

That depends almost entirely on what you're photographing and also on the style of photography you want, but for most situations you should be looking at one softbox, one umbrella and a standard reflector, maybe with a honeycomb.

 

[cowasaki]

John,

What are the products that you are wanting to photograph as this can make a big difference. Having used a cheaper setup before getting the Lencarta kit I would say that the cheap ones are not really that good due to colour and power inconsistencies. If you look at the reviews I have reviewed a product photography table which is quite good for the price. Oh and the Smartflash lights really are rather good, I do prefer the ElitePro ones but when you are buying 3 the £200+ would be better spent on a lighting table and modifiers etc.

Also, someone that knows what they are doing and is using cheaper lights would be better than someone who doesn't know what they are doing using expensive lights. Knowledge is VERY important so I would suggest you budget for one of the Lencarta studio lighting days too.

 

[jondy]

John,

What are the products that you are wanting to photograph as this can make a big difference. Having used a cheaper setup before getting the Lencarta kit I would say that the cheap ones are not really that good due to colour and power inconsistencies. If you look at the reviews I have reviewed a product photography table which is quite good for the price. Oh and the Smartflash lights really are rather good, I do prefer the ElitePro ones but when you are buying 3 the £200+ would be better spent on a lighting table and modifiers etc.

Also, someone that knows what they are doing and is using cheaper lights would be better than someone who doesn't know what they are doing using expensive lights. Knowledge is VERY important so I would suggest you budget for one of the Lencarta studio lighting days too.

I'd be shooting a vairiety of products, from jewellery to greetings cards, toys to larger items. Most would be tabletop items, though some would be bigger. I hear what you are saying about knowledge. I consider myself to be an adequate photographer but most of my shots are outdoor. Artificial lighting seems so complex.

It looks as if I'll have to expect to pay more but this might not be cost-effective so it might be better to use a professional with the right kit.

 

[cowasaki]

I'd be shooting a vairiety of products, from jewellery to greetings cards, toys to larger items. Most would be tabletop items, though some would be bigger. I hear what you are saying about knowledge. I consider myself to be an adequate photographer but most of my shots are outdoor. Artificial lighting seems so complex.

It looks as if I'll have to expect to pay more but this might not be cost-effective so it might be better to use a professional with the right kit.

My wife makes jewellery so that is my main "product shot" type photo. I consider myself to be an adequate tog too but product photography and studio photography in general are a different subject. Have you seen my product photography table review? With that plus a SmartFlash setup you could get repeatable professional shots. If you buy the Lencarta stuff then a studio day only costs £30 so well worth doing. I've done all three and they are well worth doing. You also have a wealth of knowledge from the people on here. Any questions just ask, that is how I learnt other that the studio days.

 

[Jeff.B]

It would be good if there was somewhere that had lots of brands that could be demo'd so you could get an idea of how they behaved and was demonstrated by someone that actually knew about lighting. Sometimes you just don't know if something is any good till you get your mitts on it.

Focus on Imaging 2011 - NEC - March 6-9. May be a few on display there.

Not too far from Stoke on Trent.

jeff

 

[itsdavedotnet]

I'd be shooting a vairiety of products, from jewellery to greetings cards, toys to larger items. Most would be tabletop items, though some would be bigger. I hear what you are saying about knowledge. I consider myself to be an adequate photographer but most of my shots are outdoor. Artificial lighting seems so complex.

It looks as if I'll have to expect to pay more but this might not be cost-effective so it might be better to use a professional with the right kit.

lots of commercial professionals will do good competitive rates on packshots, especially if you're getting quite a lot of stuff done at a time. And they'll be edited on colour corrected monitors, have a secure workflow, have professional experience lighting things like reflective or shiny surfaces, different materials, etcetcetc. Still the way to go for when you need effective, reliable and top quality pictures to sell your products...

 

[jondy]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. Now I'll just have to decide which way to jump!