which way

[inyourface]

evening all

i posted a couple days ago about getting into portraits.
i will only be doing them at home of my children, and will mostly be in the dining room which isnt all that big.

now what i was wandering is which would be better for a beginner trying to learn about the light flash or continuous light.

any advice is appreciated

mat

 

[Garry Edwards]

Light is light, you can use either.
But you can do so much more with flash (unless you spend a fortune) because there are far more modifiers available to fit flash, and using modifiers is what it's really all about.

And, IMO, flash is much easier for both the photographer and the subject.

 

[Sharky]

Unless you're going to use high end high output continuous light then flash or strobes all the way.

 

[minnnt]

Hi Mat. Never had a go with continuous lighting but have done a few bits with flash.

I would recommend that you learn all about 1 flash and then once you think 1 light is holding you back, add the second and learn all about that.

 

[inyourface]

Thanks Garry

i thought flash would be the most common reply, i was just thinking continuous might be easier as you can see it before taking the pic if that makes sense, i already have a couple flash ( yongnuo 560 lll)

so will get a few bits that i need and see how i get on

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks Garry

i thought flash would be the most common reply, i was just thinking continuous might be easier as you can see it before taking the pic if that makes sense, i already have a couple flash ( yongnuo 560 lll)

so will get a few bits that i need and see how i get on

Flash, because the output from affordable continuous lights is feeble. And a studio flash head with a modelling lamp so you can see what's happening, eg Lencarta Smartflash-2 £110. You will get good results and learn faster

 

[inyourface]

thanks hoppy
thats a good price i will take a look, not heard of lencarta

 

[HoppyUK]

thanks hoppy
thats a good price i will take a look, not heard of lencarta

You're welcome Hang around here and you'll here plenty about Lencarta. Elinchrom is another of my favourites, though a bit more money.

Just to say, studio flash works fine with speedlites, for the background or a hair light/whatever. YN560iii will sync automatically off the main light via the built-in slave. Without a modelling lamp to guide you, you just need a bit of experience in positioning and power levels, basically adjust/shoot/chimp and repeat until it's right.

Either way though, start with one light. You can do a huge a mount with that and learn loads. If you fire up two or three flashes as a raw beginner, you'll end up with a mess of conflicting shadows and not know how to sort it.

 

[inyourface]

You're welcome Hang around here and you'll here plenty about Lencarta. Elinchrom is another of my favourites, though a bit more money.

Just to say, studio flash works fine with speedlites, for the background or a hair light/whatever. YN560iii will sync automatically off the main light via the built-in slave. Without a modelling lamp to guide you, you just need a bit of experience in positioning and power levels, basically adjust/shoot/chimp and repeat until it's right.

Either way though, start with one light. You can do a huge a mount with that and learn loads. If you fire up two or three flashes as a raw beginner, you'll end up with a mess of conflicting shadows and not know how to sort it.

thanks again
i think im going to order the lencarta you suggested, will order it next weekend, put a very strong magnet next to bank card and its destroyed it lol so need to wait till next one arrives.
just so much to learn next question will be backgrounds so im off to look for info on them.