One light or two?

richardhurst

richardhurst

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,461
Name
Richard
Edit My Images
No
Hi

Being totally new to studio lighting I wanted to try and learn what the advantages are having 2 lights over 1. The story is I've just decided on purchasing the Lencarta Safari Li-on portable system and want to use it out on location both indoors and out. I've looked at lots of images and I really like the darken'd look where I presume the flash is over powering the sun. I've also seen lots of 1 light setups with beauty dishes that look amazing so my question is do I go for a 1 light kit or 2 and what is the advantage and uses for having 2 lights.

Thanks in advance for your help
 
This is my personal approach:
There is only 1 light on this planet, so I normally try to make the shot look as if only one light was used. This can sometimes involve using just one light, as in this brief tutorial, using shots I took at the recent Talk Photography Convention. I used a single softbox here to create shadows under the cheekbones and lower lip, to define the shape of the face and to slim it.

But often, I will use other lights too; I may want a fill light, a hair light, an accent light, a background light etc., or all of the above. If it's a fill light then it's an 'invisible' light that does the job of filling in unwanted shadow but without being obvious. If it's another type of light then it's usually obvious but still looks natural - this is really what lighting is all about.

So, you won't always use a second light - but of course if you only have one light then you won't have many choices.
 
Personally I think it's good to start off with one head + white/silver reflector, then add the second head once you're comfortable with those. Of course if you have a background to light the second head will come in handy for that - but many times it would be good to have 2 lights for the bg alone if you want it lit evenly..

I have 4 elinchrom lights myself but half the time I'm using just one head + reflector or even a yongnuo 460 II as the second flash. Only 10% of the time do I use 3 or 4 heads.

Also the Safari will pump out 600Ws when only one head is attached which will be needed when overpowering the sun. You might still need to wait for a bit later in the day to do it for full body shots etc where you need to spread your light out.

Am I reading the Lencarta site right that you don't actually get any discount from getting the single head kit + a second head later vs a 2-head kit?
 
vaizki said:
Personally I think it's good to start off with one head + white/silver reflector, then add the second head once you're comfortable with those. Of course if you have a background to light the second head will come in handy for that - but many times it would be good to have 2 lights for the bg alone if you want it lit evenly..

I have 4 elinchrom lights myself but half the time I'm using just one head + reflector or even a yongnuo 460 II as the second flash. Only 10% of the time do I use 3 or 4 heads.

Also the Safari will pump out 600Ws when only one head is attached which will be needed when overpowering the sun. You might still need to wait for a bit later in the day to do it for full body shots etc where you need to spread your light out.

Am I reading the Lencarta site right that you don't actually get any discount from getting the single head kit + a second head later vs a 2-head kit?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice, I am leaning more towards getting the one light but still not made a final decision. I have the cash to get two now so I'm worried if I don't do it now I won't afford the 2nd head when i really need it. Yes looking at the site, there is no discount they all add up the same either way you make a purchase.
 
Last edited:
I use sometimes up to 5 strobes on my beauty lighting. And sometimes just 1 light on Hollywood style lighting. It depends on the shot. Star with 1 light and go from there. Good luck.

Regards,
Bob jones
www.bobjonesphoto.net
 
You can do a lot with one light, and even more with one light and a reflector! and comparitivly reflectors are as cheap as chips
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top