Lighting?

Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 1 Location: CA

I was wondering if someone could tell me what would be the cheapest and most effective lighting equipment for a beginner trying to take portrait pictures?

Premium Member Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 2020

The sun.

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:55 pm

Photek Softlighter is cost effective and very forgiving in light placement. If you have 8' or higher ceilings, then the 60" Photek would be good. You can use your shoe flash in this but a studio unit like the Alien Bees or White lightning would be better.

You will also need a good light stand. Manfrotto makes several that should be acceptable.

The Photek is an umbrella with an additional front diffusion screen. It makes a large, soft light that is broad and easy to set up. Even less expensive is a large umbrella which can be had for about $50.00. You still need the flash and stand, so the savings compared with the Photek is only about $50.00.
Photek

You can get these almost anywhere. Check B & H Photo. They are good suppliers with good prices.

Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Canada

The sun... oh that cracks me up....

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:24 pm

missabg wrote:

I was wondering if someone could tell me what would be the cheapest and most effective lighting equipment for a beginner trying to take portrait pictures?

http://www.bizrate.com/photographydarkroomequipment/oid386092544.html

These are cheap setups that have their limits. But they are very very economical. There are cheaper places to buy these. This wa the first link I found when searching. These peices can be used with other equipment as you can afford to expand.

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:38 am

Quote:

The sun.

OMG thats funny. Nice one SingleMalt.

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:16 pm

Quote:

The sun.

Actually I think that the sun is indeed the best way for a beginner to learn to take portraits. It certainly is cheap and it's pretty reliable.
A north-facing window gives off lovely light. You just have to learn how to use it. Practice, practice, practice!

Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Boston, MA

I agree. The sun is the best lighting tool, because lets face it..its god's flashlight. I never mention that I am a professional photographer on these threads but for this thread and this question I think its relevant.
I shoot mostly editorial and documentary work. I shoot mainly people in a lot of different locations.. I use a heavy heavy amount of studio location lighting. ( because I dont have a studio and all of my work is location in nature) I also shoot alot of architectural work with lighting other than the sun. But...
Above anything else...of all my lights and nifty gadgets and gels and softboxes and reflecters...above all that ---..THE SUN is the best light sorce to work with!!! HANDS DOWN. Learn to control it, use it to your will and find the places and times of day in your locations that give you the look and feel you want.
Bellybabe mentioned a north facing window and that is KEY to great indoor natural light portraits. We spend tons of money trying to get the look of diffused window light when if we had a properly placed window it would be free for the taking.

What do we do with our studio lighting? try to mimick the sun.

enough said