Is this what I need?

[Shannon_A_S]

I am looking to buy a studio lighting kit for doing portraits (mostly children and babies). I found this online and I'm wondering if this is the kind of thing I'm looking for. And if so, is this a good deal? It seems like it to me, but I'd like to know from someone with more experience. Thank you so much!

UMBRELLA LIGHTING KIT

[jml79]

That is constant lighting and not very powerful at that. I would look into strobes personally. There are a huge array of options, some that may use gear you already have. If you already have a flash or 2 then you can start with an adapter, stand and umbrella for less than $ 50. If you have nothing you can get stuff off of ebay. Cheap chinese strobes but they work. Or more powerful constant lighting for the same price.

henrys also has some inexpensive starter kits. If you go the ebay route, buy the big stuff in canada and little stuff from either canada or hong kong. The brokerage fees from the US can double the cost of something. I just went through all of this and bought a 2 strobe kit with everything for $ 189 from a guy in kitchener and wireless triggers for $ 22 from china. It's not top level quality but it works well. Great for home use and learning. If you have a sony camera there are a few other considerations.

Research strobes vs. constant lighting. Each has is advantages. Unfortunately we don't have adorama in canada and henrys is at least double the price. Glad to help more if I can.

[Shannon_A_S]

Thank you so much for the help! I did look up the comparisons and I think I will end up going with a strobe rather than the continuous lighting. So much more research to do and no money to buy stuff with! I wish this stuff wasn't so expensive!

Sorry, now I am going to give a little opposite advice! For babies and children, I recommend continuous lighting. Nothing like 500 whats of poping flash to wake a sleeping baby or scare a nervous child.

The kit that you show above would be a good start if you replaced the supplied bulbs with day-light balanced florescent bulbs. (Not the little ones from the local store... you can find the high watt photo bulbs at the camera shops)

Just a thought.. do your research.