 Paula Schoenwether |
Inexpensive Portable Lighting I have been asked to shoot Santa Pix. in a little mall. I have no lighting equipment and am nervous. It needs to be portable and inexpensive. Something I could then take to people's homes and use for pet photography. thanks, Paula
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Andy |
There are so many continuous and strobe lighting sets available and many of them are portable with the prices ranging from a few hundred to a few thousands. An alternative is to use multiple flashes mounted on stands using slave triggers with umbrellas (or softboxes). There are so many variables depending on how much space you have, how many photos you will take, what camera equipment you have, how familiar you are with lighting techniques and use of equipment, power source, your budget, etc. Give us more information and we can help you better. For me, my system consists of only flashes which triggered by a wireless remote. If I need to shoot whole day, I may need a different power source instead of using AA batteries. Hope this helps.
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Paula Schoenwether |
Andy-thanks for responding. I use a nikdon d70. I usually use natural light and fill flash. assume I know nothing about lighting. and have a small budget. thanks, paula
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Pamela K |
I don't know much about lighting myself, but I do have a suggestion: Once you get some equipment, and before the return policy expires, take it to the mall and practice getting shots in the lighting conditions you would have. You should know how close you need to be and what some good angles are before the mall starts setting up. Then you can tell them what you need and they can encorporate that into their setup. If you can't find any models that are willing to wear Santa suits in June, at least make sure you get a lot of red and white on your models while your practicing. Try to anticipate as much as possible what the scene will be like. This way you can practice getting the perfect image before you ever have paying customers. Good luck. (Sorry I couldn't help you on lighting choices.) Pam
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Nick Milton |
I use a builders tripod witha pair of twin 1 kw halogens on it,if you get a sparky to install a dimmer in the line,so you can adjust the power down a little and get a sheet of white opaque perspex or white thin cloth to just cover the front of light cage,they look good and do a great job,then just use the cameras fill flash to adjust the harsh shadow(if you get one)These cost me $39.95!!!)Australian. hope it helps dont be nervous look like you own the mall. Nick.
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Paula Schoenwether |
Nick--what is a sparky? a handyperson? this sounds like a good idea although I can't quite picture it. I'm handy so I'll give it a try. How do you attach halogens to tripod? are these hologens like you use outside to light your yard? thanks. Paula
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Nick Milton |
paula,a sparky is old london town talk like "ok guvner r yer!"an electrician. Yes they are similar to builders yard lights,they fold down to a easily transportable system(like a tripod)and work great but because there 1 kw halogen,theyre powerfull,so a dimmer switch allows you to adjust the power,mine are yell and quite attractive(as thats important for us snobby photographers!)they are like a tripod that extends,witha "T" bar on top holding 2 lights theyre great for me and dirt cheap,If I painted them black stuck an umbreela on the stand and called them something posh thy would cost a thousand bucks!! good luck nick
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