Comments on: Shooting Portraits like a Pro On a Budget

By: Emma

Emma — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:46:49 +0000

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I have been looking for something like this for months! I’ve been trying to get into portraiture but the only equipment I have is my camera and tripod, so this is perfect!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:27:15 +0000

I love your creativity! I am a very new portrait photographer, and I am on a budget. I have linked you to my blog to guide other photographers to your site. I love the results you got using the black sheet set up. The way you positioned your “models” is great! They are all really great looking and have amazing style so that helps a great deal. Your awesome!

By: Arifanda

Arifanda — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:04:00 +0000

Really excellent example !! so inspiring !! maybe someday i should try this one :) thx…

By: Elizabeth Halford

Elizabeth Halford — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:33:29 +0000

Wow so inspiring. Wish I’d read it before plunking down £4k on equipment! :)

By: Massimo Belloni

Massimo Belloni — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:47:33 +0000

Great article! How to make simple what looks to be compicated. My compliments!

By: jon

jon — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:28:42 +0000

“With that said, my friend has 2 nice vivitar flashes he got off ebay for about $25 apiece- and umbrellas are even cheaper than that. Combine that with a Cactus wireless flash trigger at $32 which includes both the receiver and transmitter and you basically have your studio set up on the cheap.”

That’s basically my setup. I have a couple cheap light stands with umbrella holders with hotshoes I use to mount the flashes. 45″ white translucent umbrellas with removable black backing were $16 a piece brand new from b&h photo.

This is an excellent example of using natural light (and the right angle and time of day) along with some fill reflectors, well done. Now when you want some more flexibility, pickup a couple of $90 strobes (vivtar 285hv), $40 light stands and $16 umbrellas and you’ll get a whole new level of flexibility, you can really shoot anywhere at any time and produce fantastic results. For stand+holder+flash+umbrella+wireless-receiver you’re looking at $200 per light setup, and thats brand new off of B&H (and Gadget Infinity)

My only complaint is these cactus triggers can’t sync faster than 1/200, so you’re very very limited. I’m constantly having to back off strobes, stop down the lens, adjust EV compensation and even use ND filters to get the shutter down to something I can sync with. There’s no quick f/1.4 at ISO100 at noon and getting some cross lighting with the flash, not a chance, you’re talking 1/4000 shutters, that will never sync.

I’d recommend coughing up the money for pocketwizards when you’re ready to go wireless.

By: Naimah Azza

Naimah Azza — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:31:57 +0000

Hello, I really enjoyed this article that a friend sent me. I think that I a goingt o experiment with this technique.

By: Tina Mulligan

Tina Mulligan — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:56:53 +0000

Goes to show, the best equipment is your brain. Use it.

By: Mik

Mik — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:19:32 +0000

Pretty sweet photos, and simple and effective set-up, I have some shots to do and don’t have the studio kit so this kind of set-up will fit the bill.

By: employee clockin clockout

employee clockin clockout — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Great tutorial. With modern camera gear, almost anyone can take photos as good as the pros.