What lights

[pmcphotography]

Hello,
I am thinking of doing some studio work but unsure what lights would be best.
Just now all I do is weddings mostly outdoors so no need for any spacial lighting. But been asked to do some portrait photos this is out my comfort zone.
So if any one can help with what's best for this kind of work be a great help.

Thank you.

 

[Triggaaar]

But been asked to do some portrait photos this is out my comfort zone.

Have you been asked to do them in a studio? If not, do them outside, it's what you're used to. When would you do the job, you wouldn't be able to just grab some studio lights and do it without plenty of practice.

 

[Phil V]

Have you been asked to do them in a studio? If not, do them outside, it's what you're used to. When would you do the job, you wouldn't be able to just grab some studio lights and do it without plenty of practice.

That.

And you could also get some strobist gear to practice with, it could improve your wedding output too adding an extra dimension.

I've never understood wedding photographers who say portraits are out of their comfort zone. Whilst I'm primarily a photojournalist wedding photographer, at every wedding I'm seeking out light and backgrounds and posing people singularly in couples and in groups. What else is there to portraiture?

 

[Michael Sewell]

That.

And you could also get some strobist gear to practice with, it could improve your wedding output too adding an extra dimension.

I've never understood wedding photographers who say portraits are out of their comfort zone. Whilst I'm primarily a photojournalist wedding photographer, at every wedding I'm seeking out light and backgrounds and posing people singularly in couples and in groups. What else is there to portraiture?

Every wedding is an opportunity to create beautifully lit images during the informal bridal portrait session. Why would anyone pass up an opportunity like that?

 

[pmcphotography]

Every wedding is an opportunity to create beautifully lit images during the informal bridal portrait session. Why would anyone pass up an opportunity like that?

I take portrait at weddings but all outdoors this time its in a persons home so need to take a backdrop but unsure what lights.

 

[Phil V]

I take portrait at weddings but all outdoors this time its in a persons home so need to take a backdrop but unsure what lights.

Personally, I think you need to think more about what it is you're aiming for.

Has the client asked to be shot against a studio type backdrop? Or have you made an assumption?

What are all your options? How big is the shooting space? How is it decorated? What's the Natural light like?

What experience do you have with the flash you already own (I'm presuming you've at least 2 flashes if you're shooting weddings)?

Do you already have some off camera gear to use with your flash?

If not, then I'd suggest you get something that'll not just be useful for this job, as before, think about what kind of strobist gear might be useful as a first step towards mastering off camera flash.

If you already have some but you feel it's insufficient, what might you add to make it better?

Do you want TTL or are you happy to go full Manual?

Without knowing what gear and experience you have, how can we recommend what to get next. Do you already have all the flashguns that you want but want to progress to full on studio gear?

What kind of results are you after?

And how much do you have to spend?

The simple truth is, asking 'what lights', is a more complicated question than 'what lens'. We need a lot of information to be able to help properly.

Photographers often believe it's the camera that creates the picture, whereas it's the light that creates it, the camera just records it.