 liz read |
Studio Lights - Cheap 'n Easy! Is there a cheap and easy way to purchase/set up "studio" style lights? I am struggling to get some decent pet portraits and "fighting" indoor lighting. so..... * are there lights that plug into regular mains? * can they be used WITHOUT a "trip"? I switched on and used rather than "flashed"? * OR what about a Vivitar off-camera flash? Thanks and Happy New Year to everyone!
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
photographers warehouse has some that aren't too expensive. They aren't very powerful but you can get a light or two, a couple of umbrellas, and a couple of light stands. They'll work just fine for pet pictures, or anything else. If they still sell those remotes that work with a phone cord wire, I wouldn't get those. Mine didn't last long at all, but you can use the built in slave or get a sync cord extra long. Or you could also use your flash off camera, and bounce it off of something. The wall or ceiling, and get reflector to add a little extra light. You can also check adorama(adoramacamera.com), b&h(bhphotovideo.com) and see what they have. What you're looking for are called self-contained lights.
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John Papandreou |
Yes there is it just requires a bit of Leg work. If you don't need the latest model with all the features a used set of heads can be found Secondhand. I just bought a set of 3 Used Elinchrom model 22 Heads with accesories for $600.00 Aust. The Accessories with 3 new heads would set me back over $2000.00 Aust NEW. Yes a new set would be nice but $1400.00 I found them at a Photo Store Garage Sale the store was moving and they just wanted to get rid of them. If you buy used buy a Major brand like Regards John Papandreou
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Elinchrom makes good stuff.
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liz read |
Many thanks for the info...the fog is clearing! liz...
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Pamela lammersen |
have you thought of 'photo-flood' bulbs? only problem is they are tungsten (burn at 3200) and you either will need a filter for colour correction or use tungsten film. good for learning because they are 'hot lights' and you can see the shadows to learn lighting set up, good because they are cheap. Be careful though they are called 'hot lights' for a reason - handle with care. just a thought and keep experimenting.
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Dan |
Liz, I have a set of Smith -Victor tungsen photofloods I purchased about 15 years ago and played with portraits with them. They are inexpensive (3lights, 3 stands, 3 bulbs, less than 200 bucks at the time), I learned a lot about portrait work with them. You will need to purchase an 80b blue filter to correct the tungsten light to the color film. I even made some dimmers for them and am able to regulate the light better, but they do tend to get a bit hot over a period of time. Its a good idea not to leave them on any longer than absolutely necessary as the bulbs only have about a 40 hour life( Mine have lasted alot longer though). This is a very inexpensive way to get some hands on experience with lighting and shadow control. I made a couple floor level stands for mine that don't adjust, but I use them for back lighting behind subjects.Give it a try, portrait work is a lot of fun and challenging. Dan
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liz read |
To everyone Again thanks for your thought and input - I have also been following Dede Carver's similar query - almost exactly the same - and am learning a lot from that. I feel very like her - the lingo itself is baffling and getting past that is a similar challenge! Maybe we should group any answers to me at her question...thanks again. Oh, I live in Montreal - any ideas on how to keep WARM??? Perhaps buy some hot lights and sit underneath them!
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