Portrait lighting....?

Question

I want to buy a portrait lighting kit....What should I look for when considering one? Any suggestions on brands?

Answer 1

Without knowing your actual needs, and assuming this is your first lighting setup, its hard to say.

Dont worry about brands too much, as they all have good points and not so good points. Do you need systems to use occasionally, or an 8 hours a day/6 days a week studio setup.

You want to have usefulness. Is this for a studio setup only. Will you have to take it down between sessions, or pack it to travel. IT makes a lot of difference.

Are you more comfortable with flashes/strobes, or always on systems.

I would go umbrellas as opposed to softboxes, as you can use them for bounce, or shoot thru diffusion, and they breakdown to store or travel well.

Just some generic feelings.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I suggest you look into AlienBees.com. The lights are reliable, inexpensive and their customer service and in house repair is extraordinary. You will eventually want to own at least four lights, a main, fill, background and hair light, but if the budget is not ready for such a commitment, start with one of their most powerful lights and an umbrella ( as was suggested, it should also have the shoot through ability) Start with an umbrella about 36" so you could use it for full length as well as head and shoulders shots.

I advise against cheap no name brands, when they break they are gone. AlienBees repairs what they make.

Answer 4

Great answer from photoguy. Just going to take it one little step further. This is what you will need for a basic portrait kit:

* Strobe (thats the actual flash)
* umbrella (or softbox but as photoguy said, umbrella is easier to pack away etc)

Now, that's the basic kit but you might want to use these extras:

* Another strobe used with a barndoor kit (helps direct the light) to use on the background which eliminates shadows from the subject
* backdrop kit which consists of two stands and a fabric screen
* reflectors (Reflects light into shadow areas of subject. Many shapes and sizes to choose from. I suggest getting a large white or silver to begin with.)

Answer 5

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