Home studio lighting on a tight budget

Quackles

Hello folks

The hubby wants me to choose my own christmas present, he doesn't do surprises.. Like most around the country, the budget is fairly tight this year. I came across this, which is still more than we'd budgeted for, but if I have to get something, it may as well be something we will both use!

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Studio-Light-Set-Soft-Box-Lighting-System-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ130261014619QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item130261014619&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

I have 400D, he has a 40D. I have a 580EX and he has a 420EX. We also have a couple of cheapo flashes and the remote triggers they do on deal extreme, that's our current setup. What I want to use it for is primarily studio type shots of our three year old and long awaited new addition. The thing is, I know nothing about lighting - is this the sort of thing i should be looking for, or am I barking up the wrong tree altogether?

Thanks folks!

al_

Hey Quackles,
In my humble opinion, youd be better off avoiding a kit like this completely. Its non adjustable so basically you are stuck with 2 bright lights with soft boxes on them, you could make this type of setup at home with some cloth and some light stands.
Using it would teach you nothing about lighting and give you almost no control over the final image.
Hope this helps,
Al
Edited to say, I think this would be a better budget option. Again its not ideal, but it would give you some more control over the final images.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/2-Flash-Head-45w-Professional-Studio-Lighting-Kit-SV1_W0QQitemZ260318395066QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item260318395066&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Quackles

al_ wrote: »

Hey Quackles,
In my humble opinion, youd be better off avoiding a kit like this completely. Its non adjustable so basically you are stuck with 2 bright lights with soft boxes on them, you could make this type of setup at home with some cloth and some light stands.
Using it would teach you nothing about lighting and give you almost no control over the final image.
Hope this helps,
Al
Edited to say, I think this would be a better budget option. Again its not ideal, but it would give you some more control over the final images.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/2-Flash-Head-45w-Professional-Studio-Lighting-Kit-SV1_W0QQitemZ260318395066QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item260318395066&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Al,

Thanks a million for the advice - I hadn't thought of the lack of adjustability, but now that you mention it, you're 100% correct. The search continues Will check out the other link you sent, or might just stay away from lighting until we've more money to spend on it.

al_

Youre Welcome Quackles,
You mention that you both have speedlights, if you had a clear background you can do a lot with a pair of speedlights set up on cheapo tripods. Especially when you can remote trigger them.
If you have diffusers for both, youre sorted!
Al

stcstc

you would be better buying softboxes that your speedlites will go in, those lights wouldnt even be as bright as your speedlights


i have shot loads of kids portraits with just two speedlights and 2 brolleys

Quackles

Thanks folks, I think I'll get accessories like stands and umbrella clamps (have one silver and one white umbrella) instead and use the tools we already have. Now, if only the model would show up :rolleyes:

whiz

Hi Lads, Where can you buy specific stands for umbellras and flashes ?
I am aware you can use tripods, but i assume you can buy a specific stand, that will mount a flash and umbrella and would really appreciate, if you could tell me where you could buy such a stand ?

al_

Hey Whiz,
You can get these in Calumet, pretty cheaply too.
Just pick up a stand and a simple umbrella adaptor.
Good luck with it,
Al

whiz

Thanks. I have question regarding metering in this kind of setup. If you put the flashes on the stands and a speedlight transmitter on your camera, can you use the meter on your camera ? instead of buying separate meter to meter the subject ?

al_

Youd be much better off with a manual off-camera meter, on-camera metering doesnt tend to work too well when most of the subject is consistently bright or dark.
You can of course work the metering by taking a few test shots and adjusting as per your histogram, but it would be a lot easier and more efficient with a flash meter.
Good luck with it,
Al

melekalikimaka

i gor off camers flashes for 25 each, get them, 2 umbrellas, flash stands and a reflector and your flying, maybe a backdrop too

whiz

Thanks Al for your reponse. Melekalikimaka do use a flash meter to meter your subject or something else ?

Mr. Grieves

Don't mean to hijack the thread OP, but were the flashes and remote triggers you got on Deal Extreme any good? Been looking at some of their stuff, it's v cheap. Never used external flash before so it's all a bit confusing and I can't help with your question, sorry!