what lights to use for portraits?

[sidewalk]

Hello I'm a newbie to photography and have been told to invest in good lighting by my photography teacher.

So far I have been using a desk lamp that seems to get a good effect in my pictures but I want a more clear and even light. I do have refelctors but have yet to use them as the lamp I use is only small. I have been looking at softboxes and just wonder what size would be best and if this is the right light for portraits.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Garry Edwards]

You need flash, not continuous lighting.

Softboxes are one of the many tools you can use - a good starting point but definately not the ending point, there are many more tools that can be used to bring out the best features.

Take a look at the various short tutorials under 'More free downloads' on my own site and take a look at this short article by Marc Gouguenheim, and another by me

 

[kilsbm]

I recently picked up a D-Lite 4 set, was not super expensive and serving me well as I practice and experiment with portrait lighting. Comes with 2 heads both with softboxes.

E.g.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1017663

Only criticism so far is you are limited to elincrhom accessories (without buying custom adaptors), which can be expensive.

There's a wealth of info here on other flash sets you can buy aswell to get started.

Matt

Hello I'm a newbie to photography and have been told to invest in good lighting by my photography teacher.

So far I have been using a desk lamp that seems to get a good effect in my pictures but I want a more clear and even light. I do have refelctors but have yet to use them as the lamp I use is only small. I have been looking at softboxes and just wonder what size would be best and if this is the right light for portraits.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[CanonSax]

I recently picked up a D-Lite 4 set, was not super expensive and serving me well as I practice and experiment with portrait lighting. Comes with 2 heads both with softboxes.

E.g.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1017663

Only criticism so far is you are limited to elincrhom accessories (without buying custom adaptors), which can be expensive.

There's a wealth of info here on other flash sets you can buy aswell to get started.

Matt

I would second the Elinchrom D-Lites. Even though they are not cheap, they are high quality units. The accesssories aren't cheap, but you can buy second-hand with confidence as they are built to last for years (I have bought loads of Ebay for my studio.

 

[Verb]

I recently picked up a D-Lite 4 set, was not super expensive and serving me well as I practice and experiment with portrait lighting. Comes with 2 heads both with softboxes.

E.g.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1017663

Only criticism so far is you are limited to elincrhom accessories (without buying custom adaptors), which can be expensive.

There's a wealth of info here on other flash sets you can buy aswell to get started.

Matt

I see your elinchrom and raise a lencarta twin head softbox kit.

I got this a few weeks back, and I cant put it down (despite the lack of space available to me), it's an awesome bit of kit.

Also they're bowen fit, which means accessories are cheap and easy to come by.

http://lencarta.com/flash-kits/fep300kts-elitepro-softbox-starter-kit/index.php