Is it possible?

[Ambrosia76]

Is it possible to do any decent studio shots without a flash or strobe?

I want one so bad I can taste it but it is just not in the budget.

Right now I have a background kit and 2 Continuous lights with white umbrella's and I have tried everything I know and can't get decent shots with them.

[autofocus]

Good window light, preferably northern exposure, and a large reflector

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

Is it possible to do any decent studio shots without a flash or strobe?

I want one so bad I can taste it but it is just not in the budget.

Right now I have a background kit and 2 Continuous lights with white umbrella's and I have tried everything I know and can't get decent shots with them.

What type of lighting kit do you have? I have had pretty decent results with a couple of clamp lights, and cfl bulbs. Take a look at my stream. There are some sp's in there with only one or two of thos lights. It depends on what you are trying to achieve as well. I lean toward the really contrasty, Rembrandt effect when using lighting. This may or may not be your taste.
How fast are the lenses you are using? This may be an impairment as well, especially when using lower wattage continuous lights.

[Ambrosia76]

This is what I have:

Light kit-2 tripods light stands, 2 white umbrellas 33", 2 light umbrella holders, 2 perfect daylight bulbs 45w each

Camera-Canon 60d

Lenses- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 - Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

Oh and I probably should mention that in the room I have available there is one huge south facing window, Facing into my backyard which is completely shaded and never gets any light. I think someone would be mad if I cut the trees down just to get light in the window.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

This is what I have:

Light kit-2 tripods light stands, 2 white umbrellas 33", 2 light umbrella holders, 2 perfect daylight bulbs 45w each

Camera-Canon 60d

Lenses- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 - Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

Oh and I probably should mention that in the room I have available there is one huge south facing window, Facing into my backyard which is completely shaded and never gets any light. I think someone would be mad if I cut the trees down just to get light in the window.

Ok, so what type of studio shots are you looking for? Small children? Adults? Or anything in between?
With the gear you have, and the little available lighting you have, you are going to be pushing the shutter speed, and/or your ISO. I am not too familiar with the 60D, but I think it has good ISO handling capabilities. Try ramping it up first to keep your shutter speed up. Especially if you are working with wiggly children. Older people that can sit still for a reasonable amount of time, can yield a lower shutter speed. Even then, use a tripod to help eliminate shake.
You may want to look in to a nifty fifty as well. They can be had for about $100.00 if it is in your budget.
There are ways around all this, but you will have to get creative. Set up time may or may not be longer too. The bottom line is, you need more light.
Check this thread out. Playing With Shop Lights
The head shot you see, was done with nothing more than a couple of clamp lights, and a cool corrugated tin background.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

This is what I have:

Light kit-2 tripods light stands, 2 white umbrellas 33", 2 light umbrella holders, 2 perfect daylight bulbs 45w each

Camera-Canon 60d

Lenses- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 - Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

Oh and I probably should mention that in the room I have available there is one huge south facing window, Facing into my backyard which is completely shaded and never gets any light. I think someone would be mad if I cut the trees down just to get light in the window.

45w!?!?! there is your problem Majorly not enough light for studio shoots. My original kit was 2x 500w lights and 1 250 watt light and that was still not enough to do 200 iso at f2.8. Within a month of getting it I packed up the constant light source bulbs and bought umbrella brackets my fist speed light and radio triggers. Let me guess you bought a ebay kit? Allot of us have done it and quickly salvage what we could IE stands umbrellas and so on and went to strobes.. So basically your fastest lens is at f3.5 and that's at 18mm not 55mm.. Your gonna have to be 800-6400 iso range.. Although I hear the 60d has awesome iso performance. Its on my list next because of that.

[Ambrosia76]

Sorry they are 45w florescent bulbs so equal to about 160watt regular bulb.

Oh and yes I bought a kit,from amazon..LOL live and learn.

[Ambrosia76]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Ok, so what type of studio shots are you looking for? Small children? Adults? Or anything in between?
With the gear you have, and the little available lighting you have, you are going to be pushing the shutter speed, and/or your ISO. I am not too familiar with the 60D, but I think it has good ISO handling capabilities. Try ramping it up first to keep your shutter speed up. Especially if you are working with wiggly children. Older people that can sit still for a reasonable amount of time, can yield a lower shutter speed. Even then, use a tripod to help eliminate shake.
You may want to look in to a nifty fifty as well. They can be had for about $100.00 if it is in your budget.
There are ways around all this, but you will have to get creative. Set up time may or may not be longer too. The bottom line is, you need more light.
Check this thread out. Playing With Shop Lights
The head shot you see, was done with nothing more than a couple of clamp lights, and a cool corrugated tin background.

I am mainly just wanting to use them to do family shots of me and my family, at least til I get better at it. Unfortunately that means dealing with a 2 yr old, 4 teens and a cranky hubby. I actually have access to several clamp lights hubby uses for tattooing just need to get better bulbs for them.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

tattooing

That is my other downfall! Getting them, not giving.

Yeah, give the clamp lights a shot. They aren't but a few bucks. The thing I like about hot lights is that you get the modeling effect from them. That way you can see where the shadows and the highlights fall, and move the lights accordingly.

[Ambrosia76]

[QUOTE=RLucas;1221984][QUOTE=Ambrosia76;1221982] tattooing

That is my other downfall! Getting them, not giving.

Well we aren't too far from you. Want to trade some flash for some flash?...LMAO