Set up using 2 x 430 ex mk1's or 2's

[scottduffy]

Guys i went along to a photography club last night just to see what it was all about and i was quite surprised to see a few folk using a 2 flash set up instead of actual studio lights. One guy had two 430 ex mk2's set up with one in a shoot through umbrella and the other in a soft box. When i asked him why he didn't use mains powered studio lights he stated that he could get similar results with this set up and he can take them anywhere with him. This got me thinking that i might be better going with this type of set up rather than the 2 light studio set up i was looking at. Does anyone here use this type of set up and what exactly would you need to set this up apart from the 2 flashes, softbox, umbrella and 2 stands? What kind of triggers would you need and how many of them?

 

[-Rob-]

I've just got a setup like this. I have 2 flashes, 2 light stands, 2 shoot through brollys and 2 coldshoe brackets. I use the on camera flash to trigger the flashes which is fine as long as you have line of sight.

From what you said it sounds like the only thing you've missed are the brackets to mount the flashes on the stands and plenty of batteries depending on how much shooting you'd be doing.

 

[Garry Edwards]

A lot of people use this kind of setup instead of studio lights and there are real advantages in terms of porability. The very limited power and slow recycling is not always a problem.

But, like many people who think that lighting is just about quantity of light, your new friend is missing the point. Lighting is all about controlling the light and shaping it, it does not start and finish with umbrellas and softboxes. If you want to be creative with light then you need to use lighting tools that allow you shape the light and create a wide range of effects, and hotshoe flashes are pretty much limited to umbrellas and small softboxes, which are very limited.

Yes, I know that you can buy (or make) other things too, but they are not the same and do not produce the same results.

Good lighting requires good tools as well as thought, knowledge and skill. If any one of these important factors is missing then good lighting becomes nothing more than good luck.