Portrait shots (lighting)

[scottthehat]

hi all, does anyone use Continuous Lighting for portrait work,
and how do you find it, i have seen work done and it looks great,
just want to know what people are using and if this would be good enough.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300433237382&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Pete Bird]

I bought these a couple of months ago.

http://www.stevesphotoshop.co.uk/daylight_fluorescent_lighting_set_bank_seven_bulb_SV350P.html

I am not up to speed with them yet. The barn doors are fantastic for close portrait work as they can position the light accurately.
WISIWYG when using them and they are daylight balanced and are good for indoor video as well.
The great thing is the ability to use many different combos and they have a diffuser that isn't great ( just a cover ) but does a decent job. You can set up for really good shadow/highlight better than a modeling lamp, and that is exactly what you get when you shoot.
A bit weighty but the stands are sprung inside to absorb the shock if they slip down. The fitting feels loose but they have a grub screw that stops them coming off the stand.

 

[scottthehat]

thanks peter, would be intrested to see some pics if you have any.

 

[Garry Edwards]

There are really only 2 types of continuous lighting, amateur & professional.

The professional lighting is primarily designed for movie use but a few people use it for still photography too. Its big disadvantage is that you have to sell your house to buy it

The amateur stuff is entirely different and just isn't suitable for people photography, in fact it isn't really suitable for anything much. Its advantages are WYSIWYG and price, and its disadvantages are inconsistent energy output and inconsistent colour temperature shot-to-shot (both caused by voltage fluctuations, discontinuous colour spectrum with fluorescents (lacking in magenta), lack of adequate power, lack of power adjustment, inability to fit different light modifiers, uncomfortably bright light that makes models uncomfortable and which dilates the pupils and, if tungsten lights are used, excessive heat, power consumption and fire risk.

Or to put it another way, don't waste your money, buy flash instead.

 

[dubcat]

Scott Kelby uses Westcott Spiderlite TD5s in his video tutorials which are currently quite high in the iPad charts.

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=westcott_4822

 

[Pete Bird]

There are really only 2 types of continuous lighting, amateur & professional.

The professional lighting is primarily designed for movie use but a few people use it for still photography too. Its big disadvantage is that you have to sell your house to buy it

The amateur stuff is entirely different and just isn't suitable for people photography, in fact it isn't really suitable for anything much. Its advantages are WYSIWYG and price, and its disadvantages are inconsistent energy output and inconsistent colour temperature shot-to-shot (both caused by voltage fluctuations, discontinuous colour spectrum with fluorescents (lacking in magenta), lack of adequate power, lack of power adjustment, inability to fit different light modifiers, uncomfortably bright light that makes models uncomfortable and which dilates the pupils and, if tungsten lights are used, excessive heat, power consumption and fire risk.

Or to put it another way, don't waste your money, buy flash instead.

Where d'yer find that.....................