I am in need of some advice regarding lighting purchases... the nearest walk in shop is some miles away, so I have been online searching and the more I search the more I am getting flumuxed on which to get.
I have no lighting whatsoever, and tbh I am clueless when it comes to the technical data, etc.
Anyways, I am getting myself a Lastolite HiLite Background 5x7ft and not sure of which lighting system would work best with it
I'm no expert and was just as confused when looking myself. In the end I hit ebay and got two continous lighting softboxes for about £70. I've only been able to use one so far as one of the bulbs was broken and I haven't been able to replace it yet but so far I've been happy with it. I've found that for those days when I do portrait photos and it's been a bit gloomy it's helped.
There are a lot better qualified people than me though so hopefully they will get back but thought I would mention what I did.
i got a ligting kit off ebay for £150, 3 strobes, 3 stands, 2 softboxes, umbrella, barn doors.... just search 'lighting kits'.. they reallly are fantastic value for money and a great starting point..
No probs @alisonp although now just checking the lighting was maybe cheaper but hubby paid extra for delivery.Ebay is definetely worth looking at, lots of bargains, I also picked up my stand from there too. And thank you about the photos.
Oh I thought i would add that the light that comes out of a speed light is no where as soft as one out of a big softbox but you can get the same look when you use multiple lights.
@agima thank you ~ more technical [:D] stuff for me to think about regarding triggers and groups ... speedlights seem like a very good alternative at the moment, thank you
I wouldn't spend a large part of your budget on a hilite. I sold mine pretty quickly. You can achieve a similar high key look with background roll paper or material. Speedlights and large softbox or umbrella would serve you well to start with.
I bought 3 heads from Elemental, the Nano range and they are really good lights for the price. They are very light but well built and they look good too. The stands are really good quality and are cushioned to save me from the sudden drop and busted model lamp. I also got the inverter which was expensive but it frees me up to set up a studio anywhere I wish really. I use paper and muslin backdrops but am thinking of getting a white vinyl replacement as the white paper doesn't seem to last very long.
Oh no lighting? Is this another thing that I don't even know about but will end up costing me a lot of money when I discover it becuase I'll decide that I cannot live without it?
@alisonp It's ok as far as it goes but it's cumbersome and you need a train with it for full length shots anyway. I find it easier (and cheaper) to use a background support and roll background. I've also gone off the ultra high key look anyway....
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There are a lot better qualified people than me though so hopefully they will get back but thought I would mention what I did.
Here are a couple of shots I used with my softbox.
http://365project.org/coolgirlsar/365/2013-01-03 http://365project.org/coolgirlsar/365/2013-01-06
I have yet to look on ebay, but it is on my list when I understand a little better :-)
Getting the lights is only half the cost. You have to trigger them and the have light modifiers, not to mention power them if you are on location.
Then once you have a trigger are you able to control the lights from camera, and if so can you put them in groups and control the groups.
Can I suggest that you get a couple of speedlights before studio lights? Since you are only doing babies/kids and in doors a speed light will have enough power to light your subjects and you can then use them for other things.
http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/using-the-hilite-with-speedlites