Cheap Lighting for portraits??

[raffire23]

I was thinking about trying some portraits of the family especially the kids for x-mas gifts. but I don't currently have anything but the internal flash on my rebel XS. I was thinking of possibly getting some cheap clamp reflector lights or some of those shop hot lights. My questions are is 1 better then the other?? What bulb wattage and style?? And is there anything else that I should use or could use to make the pics better??

[Oni]

Gosh, Rick, the cheapest lighting I have ever found is the good old sun. Is there anyway you might consider doing some portraits outside or using a window for natural lighting? You may be shocked at how artistic you can be. Try some experimenting and see what magic you can unleash. Just a thought.

[agresbach]

i'd second using as much natural light as you can, with it being free and all one cheap thing you can pick up is a good reflector to manipulate it to your liking a little more. i just ordered one after lots of recomendations.
good luck!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Oni

Gosh, Rick, the cheapest lighting I have ever found is the good old sun.

Free, unlimited, and brighter than any strobe.

Get some reflectors (1 and 2 way) and go to town.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Free, unlimited, and brighter than any strobe.

Get some reflectors (1 and 2 way) and go to town.

well I would not say brighter than any strobe... There are ways to overpower the sun using strobes.

[raffire23]

Yes I also agree that natural light is the best kind of light but i would really like to try experimenting with artificial light. And was looking for some suggestions.

[agresbach]

Originally Posted by raffire23

Yes I also agree that natural light is the best kind of light but i would really like to try experimenting with artificial light. And was looking for some suggestions.

did you have a budget that you wanted to stay under? that would help narrow things down i think

[raffire23]

I would like to stay around 100 or 200 dollars

[Mr Guy]

RussHeath, to the rescue: DIY Ghetto Striplight Studio -- With Visual Aids! Part 6 -- DIY Softobx for More Serious Light (a tutorial)

[raenme]

Assuming you've gone through the various tutorials on portrait lighting on this site..basic 3 or 4 light setups..I went about it this way. I picked up two pro level flash units for $10 each. each unit had internal peanuts. I also picked up two wally world tripods for $19 each and 2 adapters from Porter's at $9 each. For a back lite to bounce off my background (a rescued drop cloth) I use $15 clamp worklite. You can pick up good white lights @ K Mart about $5 ea. For a reflector I use a white pasteboard. for a diffuser I raided my wife's tupperware collection (high risk here) If you want an overhead highlite then you need to pick up a second clamp worklite. Look around you'll be surprised at what works...good luck