Noob softbox lighting set up.

[repap]

Hi all,

bit of advice needed here for a complete noob when it comes to lighting :shrug:

Having just had a baby I'm looking at taking a lot of portrait style photo's over the next year. With lighting being key I've been looking around at solutions that won't break the bank.

I've been thinking that softboxes are the way to go, so I get a more controlled and softer light than using an umbrella (is this a correct assumption? am I wrong?).

I've found this - http://www.backdropsource.co.uk/Pro...kdrop-with-a-stand,-two-softboxes-&-free-bags and am wondering whether or not I am completely wasting my money with something like this.

I'm not trying to set up a professional studio but I would like to get great shots of my newborn, and throughout his first year.

Also, anyone have anything to say about backdropsource.co.uk as a retailer? Good, bad or other?

Advice/guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

This is a comment on the product, not on the supplier - don't waste your money on this, it's a continuous light (fluoresent) kit that is NOT suitable for photographing people. You need flash.

Continuous lights don't have anywhere near enough power, with the result that you need to use either very high ISO (which won't do wonders for your image quality) or you'll need a tripod to keep your camera steady, and/or you'll need to use very large apertures.

Then you'll be stuck anyway because you can't change the softbox (and trust me, as your knowledge increases you'll want to use more creative lighting tools).

See this article on the Lencarta website on how to choose studio lighting
And this one on softboxes
and then buy Lencarta!

 

[repap]

Thanks for the reply Gary.

So would you suggest that I'm better off spending the money on perhaps a flashgun mounted in a softbox/umbrella?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Thanks for the reply Gary.

So would you suggest that I'm better off spending the money on perhaps a flashgun mounted in a softbox/umbrella?

That's one way of doing it, and some people are happy with the results from a hotshoe flashgun.

But studio flash would give you much greater control. If you're happy with the idea that all you want to do is to produce soft lighting, then you may be happy with the results from a hotshoe flashgun. Horses for courses.

 

[TG.]

I've found this - http://www.backdropsource.co.uk/Pro...kdrop-with-a-stand,-two-softboxes-&-free-bags and am wondering whether or not I am completely wasting my money with something like this.

To be honest my first impression of that kit was how expensive it was for what you get, looking at their flash kit's it's also hard to judge as they don't seem to give a proper spec on the lights, if your looking for something at a reasonable price with a good spec, take a look at the Lencarta smart flash kit HERE, as you will get a lot more bang for your buck with this set up

 

[Farno]

You can get the interfit Studio setup For a tad under £200 two 150w heads a softbox, brolly, DVD of basic lighting techniques. I bought a background support system and backgrounds off PhotoSel on ebay

 

[TG.]

You can get the interfit Studio setup For a tad under £200

I did read somewhere (maybe here) that particular interfit kit EX-150 had issues with spreading the light evenly, also i don't think they have cooling fans built into the lights, as the Lencarta set do.

 

[Farno]

Never had a problem with mine.
Your right they have no cooling fans, there designed so they dont need any.

There's a flickr group for these light have a look and make your own mind up.
The Lencarta heads do look nice and are 50W more powerful.
I mentioned the Interfit as there similarly priced as the starter's linked ones.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/650892@N22/pool/ group pool

 

[david1701]

Thanks for the reply Gary.

So would you suggest that I'm better off spending the money on perhaps a flashgun mounted in a softbox/umbrella?

I would consider that or an entry level studio lighting kit (or single decent head and mods)

The decision should be based around what you want to do and intended portability. I chose the speedlight approach and am v fond of it, I'm looking at studio kit in the next few months as for some jobs you need both/ the other and renting is slowly winding me up