 BetterPhoto Member |
Setting Up a Studio for Portraits How can I start my own portrait studio? Which is the best lighting equipment company?
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Chris J. Browne |
Glad I got in first. Go rent some equipment! Try it out first before brand loyalty strikes. Different equipment works better in different situations. Good moonlights or strobes with power packs, umbrellas, softboxes, diffusion panels, reflectors, eyelights, oh my! Start with a key light and fill light at 45 degrees and up high (5'). Play with distance and output power. Reflectors can act as background lights and hair lights. Don't forget the eyelight for eye sparkle. But start with two lights, Key light and Fill light.
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Tiffany L. Cochran |
My suggestion is to keep it simple at first. It is easy to read books and attend seminars and end up purchasing a bunch of unnecessary equipment. After all I have purchased, my set up is very simple... a Novatron 3-head 600 kit, one diffusion panel (courtesy of www.lightingmagic.com), one 8' foamcore sheet as a reflector (from a framing store), a silver/white reflector and a grid spot. Sure I have the umbrellas and all of the bells and whistles, but dare I say it... I don't even use a light meter anymore for my digital work. I just eyeball it and go from there. It saves me time and I like the results. For film, however, I do use a light meter. Learn to work with the basics first then as you develop your own style, get the accessories only as you need them. Plus, many lighting kits come with at least one unmbrella or some other light modifiers. Because of my enthusiasm when I first started, I have studio items I have to sell now that I could have saved my money on.
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Lisa Carpenter |
Hi Tiffany. Can you tell me more about your diffusion panel. I am interested in one but would like to hear from someone that has used it...I also have the Novatron 3-head 600 kit... thanks
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