Need Continuous Lighting Suggestions

[anathoth]

I do portraits of mainly children and though I prefer natural light, the unusually cold winter here in the south and the need to increase my business has made me consider studio lighting. Babies don't do well outside in 30 degree temps and neither do I, so I need something that I can take and set up in a clients home (all my biz is location).

My preference is to keep it simple and I seem to be drawn more to the cool continuous lighting approach and since this is a back-up to natural lighting, I don't want to have to spend the big bucks.

I have checked all the forums here and can't really find any direction. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good system?

[lputman]

A reflector alone could do the job or you could use a speedlight and bounce off the ceiling or window if you want to keep it really simple and uncomplicated. Many start with an Alien Bee 400 or 800 and umbrella or softbox. All very simple and easy to transport.

[anathoth]

Originally Posted by lputman

A reflector alone could do the job or you could use a speedlight and bounce off the ceiling or window if you want to keep it really simple and uncomplicated. Many start with an Alien Bee 400 or 800 and umbrella or softbox. All very simple and easy to transport.

I have used a reflector, but depending on the natural light available on location, it is hit or miss. I prefer not to use any flash, as I have found it to be startling to the little ones.

[Benji]

The "cool continuous lighting" is very expensive and from what I have read, requires a high ISO and fairly large apertures in order to get the fast shutter speed needed to freeze a moving target. I suggest flash. On occasion the flash may startle them, but if you flash it several times they will quickly become used to it and ignore it.

You will find that quality images will sell quite quickly and easily. Conversely, "excuse" images will not. An "excuse" image are those that you need excuses to attempt to sell, such as "the baby moved and the image is blurry," "the camera didn't want to focus very well so they look soft" or "the shadows are harsh and dark, but my work is so artistic that all my photos look like that. If you decide to go the cheap route with incandescent lights that need high ISOs and long shutter speeds, you will ruin your reputation right from the git go and word will travel quickly to stay away from you. HOWEVER if you get a good high quality light and learn to use it well and you do relatively nice work you just might make it.

I suggest one studio type flash located just above the camera in a large softbox.


Ben