Some lighting advice please
Discussion
I have a friend who is in the process of starting her own business doing baby and family photography (to start with).
She has a Lastolite Hilite background which can be lit up from within to do high key shots, plus it is very portable to go to locations or set up pop up studio etc.
Lighting appears to be a minefield though with so much to chose and like everything such a variation in price.
I believe she needs at least one (possibly two) lights to light up the background (one Lastolite I have seen in a studio setting has one studio light pointing into it) and a couple to light up the subject using either soft box or umbrellas.
She is seeking advice on any suggestions please, suitable for this type of photography but not too limiting if she wants to expand to other work?
I have looked through the Elinchrome catalogue and there is plenty of choice there but what sort of features should be looking for?
There are cheaper, Chinese origin lights available too, such as these:
https://www.photogeeks.co.uk/photogeeks-studio-fla...
but are these too cheap (only get what you pay for?)
IS there a middle ground, or is Elinchrome the middle ground in fact (I know nothing about this part of photography!).
I think she is expecting to pay between 300 and 600 pounds, give or take, but can do more if necessary if we are totally off the playing field with that budget!.
If you need any other information I'm happy to provide it.
Thanks in anticipation
Edited to add these??
http://www.wexphotographic.com/elinchrom-d-lite-rx...
She has a Lastolite Hilite background which can be lit up from within to do high key shots, plus it is very portable to go to locations or set up pop up studio etc.
Lighting appears to be a minefield though with so much to chose and like everything such a variation in price.
I believe she needs at least one (possibly two) lights to light up the background (one Lastolite I have seen in a studio setting has one studio light pointing into it) and a couple to light up the subject using either soft box or umbrellas.
She is seeking advice on any suggestions please, suitable for this type of photography but not too limiting if she wants to expand to other work?
I have looked through the Elinchrome catalogue and there is plenty of choice there but what sort of features should be looking for?
There are cheaper, Chinese origin lights available too, such as these:
https://www.photogeeks.co.uk/photogeeks-studio-fla...
but are these too cheap (only get what you pay for?)
IS there a middle ground, or is Elinchrome the middle ground in fact (I know nothing about this part of photography!).
I think she is expecting to pay between 300 and 600 pounds, give or take, but can do more if necessary if we are totally off the playing field with that budget!.
If you need any other information I'm happy to provide it.
Thanks in anticipation
Edited to add these??
http://www.wexphotographic.com/elinchrom-d-lite-rx...
Edited by steveatesh on Friday 6th October 11:59
Edited by steveatesh on Friday 6th October 12:07
Edited by steveatesh on Friday 6th October 12:07
A slightly different approach, but I always used Speedlights for this setup. I'd put two Canon 430 EXs at 1/8 in the Hilite background (one each side) and use two 580 EXs to light the subject(s); fill-light at 1/4 with an umbrella and key-light at 1/2 through a soft-box. All these were fired by an on-camera ST-E2. Camera set at ISO 200, F/8 and 1/150th second. Worked a treat and gave great high-key images. I used to shoot at college balls and events etc.
This was set up primarily for singles and couples, but as soon as the guests had imbibed a bit, you'd get much larger numbers all squeezing in. The lighting coped reasonably well this this too. Glad I've left it all behind now though!
This was set up primarily for singles and couples, but as soon as the guests had imbibed a bit, you'd get much larger numbers all squeezing in. The lighting coped reasonably well this this too. Glad I've left it all behind now though!
Ed_P said:
A slightly different approach, but I always used Speedlights for this setup. I'd put two Canon 430 EXs at 1/8 in the Hilite background (one each side) and use two 580 EXs to light the subject(s); fill-light at 1/4 with an umbrella and key-light at 1/2 through a soft-box. All these were fired by an on-camera ST-E2. Camera set at ISO 200, F/8 and 1/150th second. Worked a treat and gave great high-key images. I used to shoot at college balls and events etc.
This was set up primarily for singles and couples, but as soon as the guests had imbibed a bit, you'd get much larger numbers all squeezing in. The lighting coped reasonably well this this too. Glad I've left it all behind now though!
Thanks for that suggestion, we have some speedlights she can start off with until studio lights are bought. This was set up primarily for singles and couples, but as soon as the guests had imbibed a bit, you'd get much larger numbers all squeezing in. The lighting coped reasonably well this this too. Glad I've left it all behind now though!
A few hundred on some Chinese nonsense, or go old school and used: 3 Elinchrom heads with stands for less than £400.
Rogue86 said:
Ive traditionally used Godox RS600s in that price bracket, plus they're battery powered so portable for location work.
The next time I need to invest in more studio lighting I will be going portable. Speedlights are ok, but using modifiers on them...well they suck so much light its not worth the effort.SCEtoAUX said:
I had a bad experience with them once, never again. After that I paid the extra and got Elinchrom. When I use their stuff, I know where the extra money went.
TheRainMaker said:
Have you thought about using Roto lights, they are becoming very popular, could be less of a shock for the little people as well.
Look at the neo2 for ultra portable set up.
These look interesting, if they would work with the Lastolite box to give a pure white background. Look at the neo2 for ultra portable set up.
I guess there are two things here. One is the lighting *effect* you want - which might be a case of reverse engineering something you like or simply getting creative/experimenting - and two, the brand/value/expense of kit you want to do it with. They are up to you, but if there's mains power I'd recommend monobloc heads with variable flash power. Speedlights don't take proper modifiers*, are fiddly and look a bit amateur IMHO.
This is a business so get decent stuff not Mickey Mouse. Two respected brands are Elinchrom and Bowens; like cameras each has their own fitting but third party modifiers can be bought. eBay is a good source of second hand kit.
This is a business so get decent stuff not Mickey Mouse. Two respected brands are Elinchrom and Bowens; like cameras each has their own fitting but third party modifiers can be bought. eBay is a good source of second hand kit.
- A modifier is something that goes on the front to modify/control the light - eg softbox, reflector, barn doors, snoot, honeycomb.
Simpo Two said:
I guess there are two things here. One is the lighting *effect* you want - which might be a case of reverse engineering something you like or simply getting creative/experimenting - and two, the brand/value/expense of kit you want to do it with. They are up to you, but if there's mains power I'd recommend monobloc heads with variable flash power. Speedlights don't take proper modifiers*, are fiddly and look a bit amateur IMHO.
This is a business so get decent stuff not Mickey Mouse. Two respected brands are Elinchrom and Bowens; like cameras each has their own fitting but third party modifiers can be bought. eBay is a good source of second hand kit.
Cheers Simpo, I e pointed her st this thread for the sound advice on it This is a business so get decent stuff not Mickey Mouse. Two respected brands are Elinchrom and Bowens; like cameras each has their own fitting but third party modifiers can be bought. eBay is a good source of second hand kit.
- A modifier is something that goes on the front to modify/control the light - eg softbox, reflector, barn doors, snoot, honeycomb.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff