Newb: What would be the best modifiers for family portraits?

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BigEric

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Hi, Just signed up to try to get some advice on portraiture lighting kit...

I'm in the market for some flash heads and have decided to go for used Bowens heads from Ebay as I'm on a v tight budget.

Assuming I can lay hands on 3 heads, what would be the most useful modifiers to get for them?

I was thinking one v large octa box, 150cm, and two reflectors with honeycomb inserts.

What would you guys get?

E
 
BigEric said:
Hi, Just signed up to try to get some advice on portraiture lighting kit...

I'm in the market for some flash heads and have decided to go for used Bowens heads from Ebay as I'm on a v tight budget.

Assuming I can lay hands on 3 heads, what would be the most useful modifiers to get for them?

I was thinking one v large octa box, 150cm, and two reflectors with honeycomb inserts.

What would you guys get?

E
Click to expand...

150cm is very large and will put a big dent in your budget. If you want to save money, get some umbrellas - 100cm is plenty big enough for lovely softly lit portraits and cheap as chips.
 
A 150cm softbox could be a very poor choice. How high is your ceiling?
It needs to be pretty high if you want the light to come for above, if you can't get it high it will produce extremely flat lighting from any frontal or side-ish position

Honeycombs are extremely useful, especially as hair lights or for lighting part of the background - but the tight ones, say 10 or 20 degrees, require precise positioning when used as a hairlight and really require a model who can hold (or go into) a position, not really ideal for families. A white or silver reflective umbrella is a safer bet.

Edit: Crossed with my other username:)
 
HoppyUK said:
150cm is very large and will put a big dent in your budget. If you want to save money, get some umbrellas - 100cm is plenty big enough for lovely softly lit portraits and cheap as chips.
Click to expand...

HoppyUK & Gary,

Thanks for responses...

Those big octas aren't *that* expensive but you're probably right about it being a bit big... I was thinking it could be used as one big self-filling side light.

I have a thing about brollys, don't know why really...

Agreed about the honeycombs though...?

E
 
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