Studio effect with sb700 and..?

akhi

akhi

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So, I've just invested in a SB700 which I'll be using on camera (as I only have a D3100). When I've got a bit of spare money I'm hoping to buy another light with umbrella and use it in conjunction with my SB700 (use the 700 as a controller). What would you recommend I bought to be able to take studio style white shots with this setup.

The only equipment I have is the sb700 and a reflector, what else will I need? Thanks a lot.
 
I hadn't realised before that the SB-700 would act as a controller (the SB-600 couldn't)

I'd look to either get some poverty wizards (cheap eBay wireless triggers) an SC-28 or SC-29 copy, or a 3m cable, just so that you can get the flash off camera.

You then can use all kinds of things to diffuse, bounce or shape the light, many of which you can make yourself, but unless you get the flash off camera even these won't give you creative freedom.

Have a look at David Hobby's Strobist blog, especially the Lighting 101 bit, you'll find loads of hints, tips and DIY projects to ry out.
 
Thanks a lot for the help I'll have a look at a few things you recommended now; but I think you slightly misunderstood the question. :bonk:

I'm wondering what else I will need to buy (obviously another speedlight/other type of light) and a backdrop, umbrella, etc in order to achieve studio white background style shots.

Thanks anyway though, I'm going to have a look at the blog now :)
 
akhi said:
I'm wondering what else I will need to buy (obviously another speedlight/other type of light) and a backdrop, umbrella, etc in order to achieve studio white background style shots.
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Ah, well if it's the Venture style white background shot you're after all you need is a gun and a single bullet, because the world needs a hole in the head more than another photographer shooting this style of photography! :D

If you're after a serious answer, I'll leave it to those that shoot this style as I don't
 
Unfortunately this is the style I'm talking about :(
 
Doing it properly really requires a large studio and a minimum of 8' distance between the front subject and the rear subject (the background) but much more space makes it much easier.

2 flash heads are needed on the rear subject, as well as whatever lights you want to use on the front subject, and studio flash is much more suitable than hotshoe flashes.

But if you really want the chavground professional looking white studio background in a small space and using nothing more than hotshoe flashes, your best bet is to get a Lastolite Hilite
 
Despite what some folks here mights say ;) the white background look is extremely popular. Unfortunately, it requires both a fair amount of kit (eg three lights minimum and either a bit of space or a HiLite background as Garry says) and more importantly, a bit of experience too. It's not easy.

You'd probably be better off having a go at studio photography with just one light, ie your SB700, on a stand with an umbrella, fired by a basic radio trigger, eg Yongnuo RF-602. You could do that for under £100 (but not a pure white background).

You'd get some excellent results, and when you've got the hang of things, take it to the next level by adding extra lights, background etc, and building a studio system. There are a number of ways you could move in terms of equipment, but taking this first step wouldn't close down any future options.
 
HoppyUK said:
Despite what some folks here mights say ;) the white background look is extremely popular. Unfortunately, it requires both a fair amount of kit (eg three lights minimum and either a bit of space or a HiLite background as Garry says) and more importantly, a bit of experience too. It's not easy.

You'd probably be better off having a go at studio photography with just one light, ie your SB700, on a stand with an umbrella, fired by a basic radio trigger, eg Yongnuo RF-602. You could do that for under £100 (but not a pure white background).

You'd get some excellent results, and when you've got the hang of things, take it to the next level by adding extra lights, background etc, and building a studio system. There are a number of ways you could move in terms of equipment, but taking this first step wouldn't close down any future options.
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This is exactly the route I decided to take. I've just bought this umbrella kit and I'm now deciding what trigger to buy. If I bought the Yongnuo you recommended is it capable of controlling all features of the SB700? Otherwise can you recommend one that is (wired or wireless, really doesn't matter to me).

Thanks again for all the help guys/girl.
 
akhi said:
This is exactly the route I decided to take. I've just bought this umbrella kit and I'm now deciding what trigger to buy. If I bought the Yongnuo you recommended is it capable of controlling all features of the SB700? Otherwise can you recommend one that is (wired or wireless, really doesn't matter to me).

Thanks again for all the help guys/girl.
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That's the kind of thing. A bit more than you need to pay, given that there's no trigger included. Kong stand from Amazon, RF-602 set from Amazon, Kood umbrella and an adapter from Premier-Ink would work out less. Lots of similar options out there.

Cheaper radio triggers are manual exposure control only. Ones that retain auto-TTL functions are £400. Nikon commander units are also costly, but you could do it with a cord for £30. Though once you go off-camera with flash, manual is just as good, and many prefer it.
 
As already mentioned, cheap radio triggers are manual only but realistically once you've used your flash in this setup a few times, you'll know roughly what setting you need on the flash and at what distance to place them. You might need to fine tune on occasion but it's not as bad as it sounds.
 
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