Upgrading studio equipment (hilite) - advice pls

Rudesing

Rudesing

Suspended / Banned
Messages
991
Name
Ruth
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi

Following on from this thread: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=181439
I am upgrading my studio equipment.

I have the 6ftby7ft hilite and I am thinking of getting:
- 2x 500W flash heads (maybe Elinchrome?), one with a massive softbox, other as fill in. Is this overkill? I want to be as flexible as possible for other jobs.
- 2 x lights for the hilite that match the recycle speed of the main lights.
What voltage would would you suggest?

Am I right in thinking that if I get reflective flooring then I don't need any additional lights?

The room is 15ftby12ft

Thanks!!!!!!
 
Okies so you are sorted for the background, now you need to learn how to light a subject. :)

Can I suggest you have a look on youtube? There are loads of good tutorials on there that you can watch for free. Learning the classical ways of lighting a subject will point you in the right direction and you will know what you need to get the job done. The worst thing you can do is grab two lights, stick them both at 45deg and fire away and that is, unfortunately what most people handed two lights for the first time tend to do :) (been there, did that!)

Learn the fundamentals of lighting with one light first and you will learn how to work with light and shadow, then add a reflector and finally learn how to use a fill light properly. Too many people try to use the second light to solve the problems caused by not using the first right in the first place.

Nothing wrong in buying more than one though, I bought three and realised I didn't have a clue and went back to square one. Very rarely do I use all three and that's usually with the highlite. :)

HTH
 
Really? I use three on the time. Saying that though, I often use a mix of sources, Elinchroms's a few cheapie studio flashes and even speedlights. They don't have to all match, just be triggerable.
 
AliB said:
Okies so you are sorted for the background, now you need to learn how to light a subject. :)

Can I suggest you have a look on youtube? There are loads of good tutorials on there that you can watch for free. Learning the classical ways of lighting a subject will point you in the right direction and you will know what you need to get the job done. The worst thing you can do is grab two lights, stick them both at 45deg and fire away and that is, unfortunately what most people handed two lights for the first time tend to do :) (been there, did that!)

Learn the fundamentals of lighting with one light first and you will learn how to work with light and shadow, then add a reflector and finally learn how to use a fill light properly. Too many people try to use the second light to solve the problems caused by not using the first right in the first place.

Nothing wrong in buying more than one though, I bought three and realised I didn't have a clue and went back to square one. Very rarely do I use all three and that's usually with the highlite. :)

HTH
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to reply! I am fortunately that the chairman of my camera club spent 2hrs with me & my current lighting set up explaining a lot of stuff, and will do the same when I get into the loft.

I will definitely take a look at youtube as suggested, any suggestions as to working out which ones are the good tutorials? I'll do a search on here too....

As I'm shooting mainly children, I'm aiming to get an even light across a large space as I like to let them run around and play. I know this means the lighting is a bit flat, but if I feel that's worth it for the extra shots I get. Maybe this is my inexperience talking though and it's possible to get even shadows in a larger area than I think. Youtube it is!

Thanks again
 
ai3x said:
Really? I use three on the time. Saying that though, I often use a mix of sources, Elinchroms's a few cheapie studio flashes and even speedlights. They don't have to all match, just be triggerable.
Click to expand...

What's your current set up? Do all three have the same power?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top