opinions for 2 light photography

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k114l3d

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Hi guys,

Firstly im new to this forum so apologies if this question is in the wrong place.

I am basically looking to get into portrait photography. So far i just have 1 flash, and 1 shoot through umbrella (33 inch diameter).

I use this as my main light but now im looking at getting a fill light. What do you guys suggest?

Another shoot through umbrella? or a reflective umbrella? also continuous light or another flash?

Thought please?

Thanks
 
Firstly welcome, you're in the right place.

Don't even think about mixing continuous with your flash, if your flash is cheap get another flash the same (or better) if it's awesome, a lower powered one from the same mfr will do. As for modifiers, get a softbox for your keylight and relegate the brolly to fill duties. A softbox will give you much more control than either type of brolly, If you can afford it, get a softbox with a decent grid to give you even more options.
 
As Phil has said look into a softbox, better control than a brolly which spills its light all over the place.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

So far my flash is a Yongnuo YN 560 III. I was thinking about buying another cheapo flash to use as fill light but my budget isnt alot at the moment.

Do you think for the time being using 1 light in an umbrella will give me a good enough starting point? Or do i really need to buy another light before hand?

Again sorry if im asking silly questions. I really am a photography newbie.

Thanks :)
 
k114l3d said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

So far my flash is a Yongnuo YN 560 III. I was thinking about buying another cheapo flash to use as fill light but my budget isnt alot at the moment.

Do you think for the time being using 1 light in an umbrella will give me a good enough starting point? Or do i really need to buy another light before hand?

Again sorry if im asking silly questions. I really am a photography newbie.

Thanks :)
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There's loads of info on the web about portraits with a single light (do a google for the phrase) and even a thread on here somewhere, if you're on a budget, rather than buying a 2nd flash, buy a softbox and a reflector, probably less than £30 all in from Amazon or ebay.

You can learn more about lighting using a single light source (flash or windowlight) than you would by spending £600 on a 3 head studio kit.

Get the 'speedlighters handbook' by Syl Arena too, definitely money well spent.
 
Single light is what I use.

My key light is a lencarta smart flash attached to a Bessel 120cm octabox. I then use a big reflector to bounce some light back on to my subject and fill some of the shadows.

1 light setups are always very simple and give you less to worry about.
 
Thanks Stuart,

Yeah i think ill stick with 1 light for now. Interesting about the reflector. Problem is i would need a second person to hold the board. I tend to shoot alone.
 
something i thought about it could i use a black reflective umbrella as a reflector??
 
k114l3d said:
Thanks Stuart,

Yeah i think ill stick with 1 light for now. Interesting about the reflector. Problem is i would need a second person to hold the board. I tend to shoot alone.
Click to expand...

I shoot alone to when the missus ain't home. You be surprised what you can use to balance a reflector :D
 
k114l3d said:
Thanks Stuart,

Yeah i think ill stick with 1 light for now. Interesting about the reflector. Problem is i would need a second person to hold the board. I tend to shoot alone.
Click to expand...

I also shoot alone.....reflectors balanced on camera bags, stools, small table, cushions!

Did a fair few self portraits with one light and a reflector.

Great way to start and a very good book suggestion from Phil!

S
 
Sir SR said:
I also shoot alone.....reflectors balanced on camera bags, stools, small table, cushions!

Did a fair few self portraits with one light and a reflector.

Great way to start and a very good book suggestion from Phil!

S
Click to expand...

i had a look at your flickr and you got some real good portrait shots. thats the sorta stuff im looking to do. do you use a studio backdrop?

in particular i would like something like the image named "keep my attention" or "i dont think so"

thanks
 
k114l3d said:
i had a look at your flickr and you got some real good portrait shots. thats the sorta stuff im looking to do. do you use a studio backdrop?

in particular i would like something like the image named "keep my attention" or "i dont think so"

thanks
Click to expand...

Hi

Thanks for looking!

In those shots I used a triflector and a beauty dish. I had a white backdrop (I used to use a pop up one but had some vinyl on this particular shot)

The set up is similar to below, just without the strobes on the background.


Set up-011 by Sir SR, on Flickr

Hope that helps

S
 
ahh the thought of a popup backdrop never occurred to me. any recommendations? im after something cheap and was tempted to buy a cheapo backdrop on a frame off ebay.
 
k114l3d said:
ahh the thought of a popup backdrop never occurred to me. any recommendations? im after something cheap and was tempted to buy a cheapo backdrop on a frame off ebay.
Click to expand...

I think I just started with the photosel black/white one from amazon. Although I have a double sided vinyl backdrop and stand, I still use the pop up occasionally as its quick and easy to put up/take down.

S
 
ah ok cool. do you recommend the backdrop? on amazon some people give it a mixed review. saying the white isnt too white, more of a grey. also i dont suppose you know anywhere apart from amazon/ebay i can get one used?
 
k114l3d said:
ah ok cool. do you recommend the backdrop? on amazon some people give it a mixed review. saying the white isnt too white, more of a grey. also i dont suppose you know anywhere apart from amazon/ebay i can get one used?
Click to expand...

I thought it was fine bit if you want a proper white background you'll invariably have to light it separately.

I used the black side quite a lot too.
 
k114l3d said:
ah ok cool. do you recommend the backdrop? on amazon some people give it a mixed review. saying the white isnt too white, more of a grey. also i dont suppose you know anywhere apart from amazon/ebay i can get one used?
Click to expand...

The 'white isnt too white' is probably down to them not understanding it needs lighting, bear in mind too, you can make any amount of grey white with enough light;)
 
hey guys, just to let you know how i got on.

i have some photos i took this weekend with the setup you guys suggested.

it was a white wall as a background and i used 1 flash with a shoot through umbrella, approx 45 degrees on the right of the subject. and then 1 reflector on the other side.

flash was around 1/4 power and camera settings were:

Canon 50mm f1.8 lens (shot at f5.6)
Shutter speed of 1/200
ISO 100

please let me know what you think guys.

images can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k114l3d/sets/72157635354875547/
 
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k114l3d said:
was around 3ft maybe. not really close in the subjects face. what makes you ask?
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The highlights on the child's forehead and cheek are sometimes - though not always - a bit hot. I was wondering whether getting a bit closer and turning the flash down more would help, or perhaps feathering the light so that the head is isn't in the full blast of the flash would do the job.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm new to working with off-camera flash myself so take my opinions with a pinch of salt.
 
Rob Mank (TP member) gave me a top tip re these types of shots and that was to feather the light.
Having the face on the same axis as the centre of the light will create the hotspots.
 
I can only presume it is harder to feather the light from a shoot through brolly than it is with a recessed soft box.
As some people know controlling the light from a brolly is harder than a soft box.
 
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