Help with Portable Lighting???

[chasing.time.photography]

Hello everyone! So, I am brand new to this site, and fairly new to the pro. world. Therefore I am in need of some help! A large portion of my sessions are done at outdoor locations, but not all provide good lighting, so I am looking for a light source that I can take with me on Location shoots that will oporate on battery power. I don't want any harsh lighting, rather a soft, difused type lighting. Any help is appreciated! Also, for new baby shoots in hospitals, is there a small soft box lighting, or on lense lighting that can be used for a soft effect? Thanks!

[CiiVii]

There is A LOT to learn about lighting, especially if you want to learn how to use it on the fly in varying situations. Aside from the advice you receive here, I'd suggest reading everything in lighting 101 & 102 on strobist.com at least twice or until it starts sinking in. Since you want portability, I'm assuming you will be looking at small strobes. But there are other alternatives such as studio lights which can be attached to battery packs.

[Benji]

I use the Studio Max A/C D/C unit with a Quantum battery and a Radio Slave 4i to trigger it. It is a 150 w/s unit that I have attached a homemade white round globe to to soften the harsh flash tube. I use it at 1/4 power most of the time as it is quite powerful.

Benji

[SusanH1970]

AlienBees can also be fired quite reliably using their Vagabond battery system, and their modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, etc.) are also very portable. Nor only so you get consistent results, but fantastic customer service as well, and overnight replacement if need be (at their cost, not yours).