What Studio Lighting to Buy?

[LisaLove]

Im a beginner going to school online for photography. Im trying build my first indoor studio. What type of lighting should i start out with. Umbrellas, softboxes or both? Fluorescent bulb or strobe lighting? Confused please help. Also on a tight budget. I already have a reflector & backdrops ordered that part wasnt very hard to figure out.

[SusanH1970]

This is what I have. I got the B400, although for only about $50 more you can get the B800. You don't really need the 1600 unless you're planning on using it outdoors to overpower the sunlight. Also, instead of getting the umbrella, I got the foldable large softbox - I just love how softboxes control spill and really "wrap" the light around the subject. I did get the general purpose stand, but wish I'd gotten the heavy duty ones - the GP one is fine for when I'm photographing babies or small kids, but with adults I have to put the light up pretty high and it's not as stable as a heavy duty stand would be.

I absolutely LOVE this one-light setup. Sometimes I use it in conjuction with a reflector, sometimes not if I want to have more shadowing (like for maternity, or a moodier look).

Hope this helps. If you'd like to see some examples of my photography using this setup, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

[LisaLove]

Thank you so much Susan! You really helped me out alot!

[SusanH1970]

You're very welcome, Lisa. Oh, by the way, the folks at Paul C. Buff (the company that manufactures Alien Bees) are super, super nice, friendly helpful. If you have questions on what you need, they'll walk you right through it over the phone. When I first got my light, it worked fine for awhile, then stopped firing. I thought it was either the sync cord or hot shoe adaptor, so I ordered new ones (cheap enough). It still wouldn't fire when I shot, but the test button worked as well as firing it as a slave. I called them and they said it was probably a defective unit and they sent me a brand new one out that day, and a pre-paid shipping label to send the defective one back. Nothing but good words for that company from me.

[zona5101]

I would agree with Susan - You can't go wrong with Alien Bee gear. Just so you have other options, look at Photoflex Starflash and Calumet Genesis lighting. In all cases, the nice thing about buying decent lighting from these companies is the availabilty of lots of different modifiers such as softboxes, beauty dishes, grids, gel holders, etc...

[lynweber]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

This is what I have. I got the B400, although for only about $50 more you can get the B800. You don't really need the 1600 unless you're planning on using it outdoors to overpower the sunlight. Also, instead of getting the umbrella, I got the foldable large softbox - I just love how softboxes control spill and really "wrap" the light around the subject. I did get the general purpose stand, but wish I'd gotten the heavy duty ones - the GP one is fine for when I'm photographing babies or small kids, but with adults I have to put the light up pretty high and it's not as stable as a heavy duty stand would be.

I absolutely LOVE this one-light setup. Sometimes I use it in conjuction with a reflector, sometimes not if I want to have more shadowing (like for maternity, or a moodier look).

Hope this helps. If you'd like to see some examples of my photography using this setup, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

Susan I just sent you a FB message about this very subject should have looked here first. I would love to see your set up. What about backdrops what are you options?

[Tamster]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

You're very welcome, Lisa. Oh, by the way, the folks at Paul C. Buff (the company that manufactures Alien Bees) are super, super nice, friendly helpful. If you have questions on what you need, they'll walk you right through it over the phone. When I first got my light, it worked fine for awhile, then stopped firing. I thought it was either the sync cord or hot shoe adaptor, so I ordered new ones (cheap enough). It still wouldn't fire when I shot, but the test button worked as well as firing it as a slave. I called them and they said it was probably a defective unit and they sent me a brand new one out that day, and a pre-paid shipping label to send the defective one back. Nothing but good words for that company from me.

Hey Susan! I'm in this same stage right now also! Would love to see some of your things with this set up! so please direct away!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by lynweber

Susan I just sent you a FB message about this very subject should have looked here first. I would love to see your set up. What about backdrops what are you options?

Lyn, I'll have to check FB for messages later when I have a chance...I'm only on the computer quick before I need to go out. For backdrops I use seamless paper. My black backdrop is a king-size black Vellux blanket from JC Penney, though.

Originally Posted by Tamster

Hey Susan! I'm in this same stage right now also! Would love to see some of your things with this set up! so please direct away!

Here are a few links to photos done with the AB. Some done with a reflector, some without.

Ruthie Mae and Pat ("private" here on DPS) also use AB's so check their work out too!

Moody, dramatic BW | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

4web | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Precious Gift BW | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Gorgeous mom-to-be Melody | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cutest prom couple ever! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

17 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[candidrachel]

Its a real bummer that we can't ge Alien Bees in the UK! What's the UK equivalent?

Sigh.... you guys over there always have the best stuff like the time years ago I wanted a Fisher Price kitchen for my then 3 year old and the only place was in the US with huge shipping costs

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Its a real bummer that we can't ge Alien Bees in the UK! What's the UK equivalent?

Sigh.... you guys over there always have the best stuff like the time years ago I wanted a Fisher Price kitchen for my then 3 year old and the only place was in the US with huge shipping costs

They have a Paul C. Buff Europe. Paul C. Buff are the people that make Alien Bees.

Paul C Buff Europe. The European Home Of Alien Bees, Cybersyncs, Whitelighting, Einsteins. plm's