*sigh*

[faeriegodess612]

I dont even know how to put this into words.

I want to play more with my camera. I want to learn how to use it extensively. But I want to play and learn while trying to achieve something. I feel as if I need more to do this with though. More time. More powerful lights to light a subject enough to get the photo I want. Inspiration, that simply is not coming to me much at the moment considering the events playing out in my life right now. Days off to explore my photographic ideas without time constraints. Days off where I dont have to do a million and one other things, that I just dont have time for my photography. Energy to get up and do something about all this. I have a couple ideas for Valentines Day type photos, but I need a better light.

Maybe I'll just break down, say F*%K it!, and buy some worklights or something from work. Thats what I tell everyone else to do, but havent done it myself, just because I keep thinking that there are other things that I NEED, that I could spend that money on.

That being said,...which would you do. Buy this: Option 1
Shop Bayco 150-Watt Incandescent Portable Work Light at Lowes.com
with something like this
Shop GE Energy Saving Halogen 90-Watt Replacement PAR38 Floodlight Bulb at Lowes.com


Or would you buy this: Option 2
Shop Utilitech 500-Watt Halogen Stand Work Light at Lowes.com

I know thats all really random, but the way it goes around in circles in my mind is kinda exactly how its put out there.

[dlambert]

Option 1 should be really cheap, and fairly versatile. Having the option to change the color temp of the light (by changing bulbs) seems like a pretty big benefit. You should be able to re-purpose that fairly easily later, too, if you want to do other things with it.

Either option has the potential to create some strong shadows, though, so if that's not what you're trying to accomplish, make sure you think about how you'll diffuse the light. Halogen lights get pretty warm, so you'll have to be careful about getting any sort of diffuser close to the light, or you'll be taking pictures of some pretty fire trucks. (oops)

It sounds like you've got the photographic equivalent of writers' block, so if one of these options gives you the kick you need to start shooting again, then I think that's a good thing.

[sk66]

The only thing you *NEED* at this point is to learn to use your camera fully.
While *stuff/better stuff* makes things easier it seldom makes it "possible". Most shots can be achieved with less/no *stuff* and to do it sometimes requires pushing your gear/skill/creativity...and that's great for learning your gear, improving your skills, and finding out what it is you really do need.

If you do decide to buy some lights like those, get ones you have use for besides photography..... personally I like halogen floods like option 2, but they get HOT and no-one will want to be under them for very long at all.

With lighting, you'll eventually go with flash/strobes in the end if you take it very far at all..(unless you are photographing *stuff*)

[faeriegodess612]

I forgot about the halogens getting hot. I looked at the new LCD bulbs that they have out now, but those are SO expensive. Since companies now are making an incandescent looking bulb but with a florescent core, I might look at those as well. Just have to use those for stuff that doesnt need a fast shutter, so I can get the whole cycle. I was thinking option 1 too, but wanted some input from here.

Any others are still appreciated. I also looked at some mic stands. I might stop in the Guitar Center here, its just down the road from us anyways. Come to think of it, every store that I could check out is all in the same area. Hobby Lobby is close too.

[Nicole]

I'm with sk66. I have two smaller versions of those (they're just the single halogen, and they aren't on a stand). I used them pretty extensively prior to getting a flash because they were way more economical. They do get hot though, not something to use for long. But they put out enough light that it's actually useful.

You might also check out DIYPhotography.net | Photography and Studio Lighting for some inspiration of stuff you can do (usually on the cheap), and accomplishing one of their projects usually feels like you've accomplished something.

[RLucas]

Go with option 1. The clamp lights are great. They can be a PITA to mount. They slip a bit, but with some ingenuity, you can mount them. I got mine at Lowe's as well. I also bought the Ott color corrected 100w replacement cfl bulbs.
If you want to have a look., the newest ten or so photos in my stream were taken with either one or two of these lights.

Stay away from the halogen lights. They get VERY hot!

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by sk66

The only thing you *NEED* at this point is to learn to use your camera fully.
While *stuff/better stuff* makes things easier it seldom makes it "possible". Most shots can be achieved with less/no *stuff* and to do it sometimes requires pushing your gear/skill/creativity...and that's great for learning your gear, improving your skills, and finding out what it is you really do need.

If you do decide to buy some lights like those, get ones you have use for besides photography..... personally I like halogen floods like option 2, but they get HOT and no-one will want to be under them for very long at all.

With lighting, you'll eventually go with flash/strobes in the end if you take it very far at all..(unless you are photographing *stuff*)

I'm not looking to take photos of people, so subjecting someone other than myself to the heat of them isnt really an issue. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot at the moment either. If I do take this further, than yeah, I'll look at better stuff when I can justify spending the money on it. I only have one lens, and its kinda dark in our apartment. If I go with option 1, its only about $20, give or take. I'm not trying to start a business, just trying to improve some.

Wow, that sounds like I'm defending myself, and semi-attacking you. Thats not how it was meant at all though. I just was throwing more info out there.

Nicole-Thanks, I'll def have to look into that. I was thinking that the halogens would give off more light, but forgot about the heat part. Right now, more heat downstairs might be a good thing.

Luke- I'll have to look at those as an option too. The finding something to clamp them to part was kinda one reason for the mic stands. I may see if they have some used, that they could sell cheap. Even if I have to fix em a bit, I'm usually good at figuring out how to make something work.

[nickbedford]

Have you got a flash unit? Experiment with bounce flash and using large bounce cards attached to said flash (Demb Flash Products - Flip-it! the variable-angle flash reflector). Grab a wireless transmitter off eBay for said flash or grab a cable from somewhere like FlashZebra.com.

There's a lot you can do with just your flash, you just have to know where to look,

For example:

• This was done with an external Canon 270EX (small hotshoe flash) with one of those Flip-It bounce cards attached to increase the light source area. I just held it aloof until the lighting was right.
• The only extra light I used in this shot was that same flash, mounted on a tripod and bounced directly off the white ceiling. The soft fill light came from the large patio glass doors at midday and the spotlights on the ceiling.
• This is just available light in the middle of the day when some clouds blocked out the sun for a second (softening it up).
• I had the same setup as the first shot for this one too. I was just holding the flash in my left hand and shooting in my right hand. Take photo, move light around, take another photo.

Even if you just grabbed a cheap, small external flash (such as the SB-400), a bounce card and a flash cable, you'd be on your way to learning about lighting with external flash. Once you're one with that and you've saved up, you can start looking at large flashes, soft boxes and the like.

Nikon SB-400 Flashes Speedlites and Speedlights

[BuddhaPi]

Buy the lights from Lowes, experiment with them, them return them! : )

[SusanH1970]

One more option - how about picking up the 50mm f/1.8 lens (for around $100)? It will let in quite a bit more light, and you can practice simply using window light. Get a piece of white foamboard to use as a reflector. This might be a good option to learn your camera better before you invest in lighting that may or may not be what you want.

Just my .02.