 kelly pot |
Lighting Equipment
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BetterPhoto Member |
Kelly As soon as you move your main light off the camera and to the side, you will no longer have red eye. Once you do that, you may still have shadows on the wall, but you can get rid of those by moving your subject away from the background. There are basically two light types: monolights and power packs. I have both. Power packs have light heads that plug into the power pack and are 'tethered' to that pack. Monolights are individual light heads with the power pack built into them. These are stand-alone units, and I believe are more versatile. A basic portrait setup consists of three lights, stands, backgrounds, umbrellas, light boxes, etc. There are many brands to choose from. Umbrellas give you a big broad light source and sort of throw light everywhere, and this can be useful as well as a problem. A light box also is a big soft light modifier, but controls much better the throw of light. A light meter is what is built into your camera and every time you take a photo, the light meter determines the exposure based on the light level. A flash meter also measures light level, but measures what comes out of the flash units. They make hand-held units that measure both flash and ambient light. You can learn lighting by obtaining books, there is lots of free info on sites such as White Lightnings and Photoflex Web sites, and there are great classes here at BetterPhoto if you want to have an instructor guide you. Good luck and have fun!
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Norbert Maile |
Try the web site of photoflex.com. They have alot of different ideas for equipment etc.. You don't have to buy thier stuff, but you can learn alot from them. Every one has a different idea about lighting and they are ALL good. Just depends what feel right for you. I use hot lights and a 3 light setup with a fron reflector also. Norbert
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Kelly, A quick fix to help with some of your portrait problems would be to invest in a flash flip bracket and a mini softbox. Now before anyone starts yelling, I'll admit that this is NOT a replacement for true studio equipment. Charlie gives some good info above. You should definitely do some reading and research to determine what studio lighting equipment would be right for you. Don't rush out and buy, because this is not a small investment. In the meantime, a flash flip bracket moves your flash a little higher above the lens, and will let you keep the flash above the lens when you turn the camera. This will eliminate redeye. Stroboframe makes some good ones for around $60. You'll also need a hotshoe adaptor to connect the flash to the camera. Cost varies by camera brand. A mini softbox is a soft diffuser that velcros to your flash to soften the light from it. It will help to reduce the harsh shadows and give more even lighting. Lumiquest makes this for about $20. These items will give you some improvements while you research (and save up for) studio lighting. Oh, don't use your built-in flash -- it's just for show. ;-)
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Jennifer Hopper |
Ha! "just for show"--that is so true! It's like when I give in and try meringue one more time to see if I've changed my mind--I always regret it and wonder what I was thinking!
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Sue Johnson |
I have recently bought studio equipment and I am a novice photographer. Have bought a few books but none have an idiots beginning guide to lighting e.g. it is the aperture that governs how much light affects your pic not the shutter speed. I am sure the experts will fall on this simple statement and I know the shutter speed has to be long enough for the flash to register. See I am right at the beginning. My lights have numbers on the back - and I assume that is stops of light??? So ... books do assume a minute amount of knowledge but I will get there. However, for Kelly, just to warn you that when you get the lights out the box and go - OK how do I get these on the stand - this is just the beginning. Dont do it after work when you are tired already..... and let me tell you - then you have to get the things back into their case at some stage. Take a pic before getting them out. Sue
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