Portrait lighting.

fredjclaus · April 30, 2009

Would you all care to list what is in your lighting kit? What do you use for lighting portraits of both individuals, and large groups?

ShepsMom · April 30, 2009

I have a 4 lights set in my studio. 1 softbox, 2 umbrella, and light for background.
For outdoors, large groups i use my two flashes on stands and trigger them with my camera, (if lighting is bad), i'm looking to purchase Pocket Wizards for larger, darker venues. So far it's working for me.

I really like to play with lights, you can have some awesome portraits with 1 light.

anwmn1 · April 30, 2009

2 flashes- FL36 and FL50
2 White Lightning 800's
Umbrellas, Large -Softbox, Large -Octobox, Lightstands
I have 2 pocket wizzards (transceivers) but want to pick up a couple more so I can be completely wireless and use all 4 light sources if needed.
Several light modifiers both purchased and home made.

Like Shepsmom I actually prefer 1 light for portraits though.

fredjclaus · April 30, 2009

Thanks everyone. It seems like 1 light will work, but it's best to have mulitples in case. I'm looking at getting some wireless transervers as well. Are there any other brands I should look at or is Pocket Wizzard the best?

Art Scott · April 30, 2009

fredjclaus wrote:

Thanks everyone. It seems like 1 light will work, but it's best to have mulitples in case. I'm looking at getting some wireless transervers as well. Are there any other brands I should look at or is Pocket Wizzard the best?

I shoot with any where from 1 light to 7 in studio:
5- Paul C Buff White Lightning 5000's
2- SunPak 622's
5- RD 616 receivers
3- RF616 transmitters
2- Paul Buff Brolly Boxes - 42"
1- 40" Gold Umbrella
2- 40" White Umbrella's

Out doors....usually 1-2 Sunpak 622's on stands....same at wedding for the formals............

As to what type of wireless triggers to use...this is what I have...from Ebay.....they have went up a bit since I bought mine approx a year ago but I have had no problems of any kind with them...........

If you flash units (speed lights) do not have a pc connector then you will need one of THESE.........

I had one that arrived DOA but Photogearok replaced without a question......they sometimes have a kit with 1 transmitter and 2 receivers and this is how I wound up with what I have...............I will be buying a few more for 2nd shooters and back ups............

fredjclaus · April 30, 2009

Thank you Art. The transcevers at Ebay look a lot cheaper than the Pocket Wizzards I was looking at. I don't know it that will work with my Vivitar 283 strobe I currently have though. Might have to go pick up some studio strobes instead.

codiac2600 · April 30, 2009

Oh goodness... this isn't even a fair question to ask

!

2X Calumet Elite II 2400W Power Packs with 8 heads
1X Calumet Elite II 1200W Power Pack with 4 Heads
5 Bowens/Promaster 300C Heads
Alien Bee Ring Flash with all known accesories
12 Promaster 7000M Flash Heads (strobist style)
2X 48" Octoboxes
2X 24" Beauty dishes
2X 24"x36" Rectangular softboxes
2X 72"x54" Giant sofboxes
2X 4' Strip boxes
2X 36" popup Octoboxes
2X 24" square popup softboxes
4X 15" popup hotshoe softboxes (Strobistness)
6X Pocket Wizard Plus II's
2X Pocket Wizard MultiMax
A collection of White, Silver, Combo and other assorted umbrellas
Collection of grids, masks, gels, barndoors, snoots, honeycombs and random modifiers.

In all honesty you can do anything with 4 300W lights and a decent set of accessories. I let everyone know that the price you pay will never truly make better, but the knowledge of shaping and controlling light is the key to better photos. On most shoots I'm using my el-cheapo set of lights because it's much easier for me to replace a $50 bulb than a $350 bulb and my only gain was a .5 second faster recycle time and a smaller light emission for a gain in stop action.

If you're looking for a light kit think of the ability to get great modifiers and less into the price of heads as anyone with a better understanding of light can make an image with a $3000 light kit look just like a sub $1000 strobist kit.

Ed911 · April 30, 2009

Art,

How do you like the brolly boxes...much cheaper than soft boxes. I saw them the the Alien Bee site for like $39 for a 42 inch unit.

Hackbone · May 1, 2009

Generally 1 to 4 lights plus reflector. My main is a 4x6 larson softbox with reflector fill. Rest are used for backgrounds and kickers. It doesn't matter to me for my style what brand I use. Could not live without the pocket wizzards.

Portrait lighting.

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