 Jodi A. Birnbaum |
Portrait Photography I am finally able to buy another flash unit, but I am not sure which is the best to buy for portrait photography. I already have a B800 unit from AlienBees as my main light and am now looking for a fill light. Should I get another B800 and just set the power lower than the main or should I get something completely different such as a soft box, diffuser, or what?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Debby A. Tabb |
Jodi, You will do just fine with another B800 for a fill. But really, before buying a fill, I would buy a smaller backlight unit. You can do both studio and on-site work with a two-light system. I recommend a main and a backlight, then add your fill later for "the best" - a three light system. I hope this helps. If by chance you have my CDs or the one on Building a home studio, then there are setups in there for the 1, 2 and then 3 light systems - then those using a hair light as well. I hope this helps, Debby
|
|
|
|
||
|
Rob Mynhier |
Jodi, Since the AlienBees modeling lights are get-what-you-see (or something like that)the best bet is to have all of your lights the same (all 800;s or all 1600's). Otherwise, you may not necessarily get-what-you-saw. See the tutorials and helps on the AlienBees website. Rob
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Feldstein |
One important thing to have with your lighting, Jodi, is flexibility. That applies in at least a few areas like output, portability and utility. As long as you can adjust the power output down on your lights to produce less than maximum power settings, then you should have no problem getting more powerful lights, say 1000 or even 1600 w/s units. It's always better to have too much power available and not need it than to need it and not have it. That's especially true if you're using modifiers like softboxes and umbrellas. So, the answer to your question is yes, get a more powerful light and just ratio the thing down as you need it. In addition, you can always use a more powerful light for a fill at say 1/2 or 1/4 power but you can't use a fill In terms of flexibility and portability, you should consider whether you need a studio - type of lighting system to work with you for locations where there isn't any electrical power, i.e., a battery-powered system. Calumet has some battery operated monolights made by Bowens that a rep loaned me to try recently and I have to say they worked pretty well. While professional grade lighting equipment is pricey, consider it an investment in your photographic future, as a system you can build on rather than have to replace and spend money on many times over. I know nothing about Alien Bees other than some folks have bought them and found they're outgunned and need bigger horsepower. BTW, you can do some terrific portraits using a single light and maybe a reflector card of some kind. I tend to recommend that photographers starting out purchase professional pack or monolight systems made by outfits like Norman, Speedotron, Elinchrom, Bowens Monolights, either new in kits from places like B&H in New York, or used kits, which can also be very good deals too from outfits like KEH.Com in Atlanta. There are some other tutorials you might be interested in besides the ones Rob mentioned, including the ones at Photoflex.com and Chimera.com. Take it light. ;>)
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jodi A. Birnbaum |
Thank you so much for the advice. I obviously need to do a bit more research before I just jump in and buy something :-) Thanks Mark for all of the resources. It's greatly appreciated for a newbie like me.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Feldstein |
Glad to help out Jodi. Hollar when new questions may seem perplexing. Someone here should know how to help you out. ;>) Mark
|
|
|
|
||
|
Ken Henry |
Yes for backlight also. I keep it simple. Front flash in 48" umbrella, White 48" foamcore for fill and a backlight. Both monolights are identical size.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||