I have two hotshoe flashes...

[elvenprincessjo]

They were given to me... I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to use them in a studio lighting setup?? I have no other lighting equipment, so I am pretty curious as to what I can do with these.

They are both Quantaray by Sunpak QF30

Thanks for any help!

[RexK_Cozumel]

If they have optical slaves then you can trigger them using the pop up flash on your camera. Assuming that your camera has a pop up flash. You don't have your gear listed so I dunno.

Or you can get some wireless triggers and go that route. get some light stands and light modifiers as well.

[elvenprincessjo]

I do have a pop up flash. I have a Canon Rebel XTi. I don't have any optical slaves, but I see they aren't that expensive... I am not sure how they work, but I can search for that no problem.

Would umbrellas be best, or soft boxes...? I am not quite sure...

[acedrew]

Originally Posted by elvenprincessjo

They were given to me... I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to use them in a studio lighting setup?? I have no other lighting equipment, so I am pretty curious as to what I can do with these.

They are both Quantaray by Sunpak QF30

Thanks for any help!

I was unable to find a manual for the QF30 online, so I have no idea of their capabilities, it sounds like they don't have sync ports, so the first thing you'll want to do is get some hotshoe to sync adapters and/or slave trippers(it triggers the flash to go off when it detects another flash firing) check out Midwest Photo Exchange Specializing in Off Camera Lighting, New and Used Photographic Cameras, Lighting, Printers, Medium and Large Format for both of those. They'll also have sync cords to connect with your camera model.
Also Strobist will have lots of useful data for making the most of your flashes

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers

[elvenprincessjo]

Thank you very much! I went on the Strobist site and found the Lighting 101 video. So short, but very informative! I think with what you guys have told me and what I learned from the video, I am better off now!

Thanks again! ^_^

ETA: Can't believe I hadn't found Strobist before! It is great!

[Samanax]

YouTube has loads of Strobist, off-camera lighting and studio lighting videos too.