 BetterPhoto Member |
Wedding photography lighting I am just getting started in a photography business and I am trying to find the right lights to use in taking wedding photos. I have looked at a wide variety, but being a beginner I am not sure what would work the best for me. I use a Nikon D70 camera and I would like to know what would be a good strobe setup for me. I have a limited price range below $1000.
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W. |
Hi Randall, you get what you pay for! My "portable studio" basically consists of 3x wireless 5600HS D flashguns on their own tripods (2 battery sets per), a 3' and a 4' silver/white Lastolite reflector. This provides plenty 'oomph', I can bounce and fake 'softboxes' and balance shadows, and endlessly vary combinations. And the whole schpiel fits a medium- sized suitcase, so it's perfect for locationwork. A seeming downside is that you have no modelling lights. But, hey!, this is the digital age, so you simply do a test shot with the real light output, you chimp - on a laptop for a good view - and adjust if neccessary! Live subjects are mostly shot with unsupported camera, because flash freezes movement anyway, and it enables me to move around freely, direct the scene, try different angles and viewpoints, or adjust the lighting. This set also provides TWO backup flashguns for my 'primary' flashgun. The combination of versatility, portability and power means that I use this setup often.
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Pete H |
Hello Randall, It really depends "where" you intend to shoot. Will you be doing in studio formals? As a start, you will at a minimum require a external flash w/ a flash bracket for outdoor shots. Nikon's SB-800 would be a great choice since it is specifically designed for your camera camera.
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Mark Feldstein |
To add to what Pete said: The SB 800 is an excellent portable, on-camera or on-bracket type flash. For weddings or heavy duty work, you ought to have a separate portable power source like a HV battery, a Turbo or an Underdog plus proper cords of course, from Jon Falk http://www.underdog-battery.com/index.html, or even a "Black Box" from Al Jacobson will work well with an SB 800 http://www.aljacobs.com/THE%20BLACK%20BOX.htm and also you'll need proper cords for that rig too. The primary power cord, back-up and PC cords will run you about $150-200 bucks plus the cost of the battery (ies) which run anywhere from about $170 to $420 for a Turbo, large or regular size. One thing you need to be careful of is not to rapid fire the flash without checking it's temp. If it starts getting warm, back off or you'll toast the electronics as is the case with any electronic flash.
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