"As good as Sears"
Victor Bazarov
> I've always done existing light photograpy, but recently my wife has asked
> for me to take family individual and group portriats. She has bought in on
> the idea of buying the gear as long as I can take "good" portraits.
> Her idea of top-notch is Olan Mills and of good is Sears/Pennys.
>
> I shoot a Maxxum 7, and am considering spending about $800 on lighting.
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is
am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
If you really want to experiment with lighting and see if you can
get it right, you don't have to buy expensive equipment. Can't
you just make a softbox with a cardboard box and a piece of old
white bedsheet? I am not questioning the quality of professional
gear, but you sound like one who does photography not as a day job,
so why waste money on what may turn out to be a one-time occasion?
Or are you trying to set up a semi-pro studio not just for family
but for neighbours and such?
Never mind my stupid questions. Not my place, anyway. I think for
an individual portrait you'd be better off with a soft box. For
a group portrait you need to move your lights farther away, and
umbrellas will help you direct the light while keeping it from being
too harsh. It would depend on the size of the group, I recon. The
larger the group, the farther the lights should be.
One way to emulate a softbox is to shine the light onto a white
screen (like a piece of foamboard)... Just a thought...
Victor
--
Please remove capital A's from my address when replying by mail
Tony Spadaro
owned a couple of softboxes and found they are nasty enough to break down
and re-assemble that I left them fully assembled and wrapped them up in a
blanket to transport. Umbrellas simply fold up.
--
http://chapelhillnoir.com
and partial home of
The Camera-ist's Manifesto
The Links are at
http://home.nc.rr.com/tspadaro/links.html
"Less Paul" <lessp...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZbER9.559329$WL3.153250@rwcrnsc54...
> I've always done existing light photograpy, but recently my wife has asked
> for me to take family individual and group portriats. She has bought in on
> the idea of buying the gear as long as I can take "good" portraits.
> Her idea of top-notch is Olan Mills and of good is Sears/Pennys.
>
> I shoot a Maxxum 7, and am considering spending about $800 on lighting.
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is
am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
>
> I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
> appreciated. (I do know that I'll need a flash meter)
>
> Thanks much..
>
> --
> Less Paul
> LessP...@yahoo.com
>
>
StillMan
theirs done at Sears, the pose was bad, only 1 out of 5 was looking at the
camera, the enlargement were grainy, and the focus wasn't sharp. I was
surprised by the low quality.
Softboxes aren't imperative to good portraits. You can do just fine with
umbrellas, but the light isn't as controllable as with a softbox. The whole
round vs square catchlight argument is immaterial to me, but it may make a
difference to you - I have never looked at a quality portrait and said "If
only the catchlights were square!".
On the other hand, you can do a lot with one light and a reflector, which is
effectively a two light system. You could buy the first light and softbox,
then buy another one later if you don't like what you are getting.
One other thought - you did not mention stands, but here is my opinion: I
have not seen their 10' stands, but I do have some of the WL 13' air
cushioned stands, which I assume are the same as AB's, these things are way
too big for most uses. Unless you need the heavier, taller stands, go for
the 10' instead of the 13'. Air cushion is nice, but if you are careful it
is not that important. If you were planning to get the 13ACs, this and the
$20/ umbrella would almost pay for your softboxes.
--
Less Paul
> "As good as Sears" shouldn't be too difficult. Some relatives just had
> theirs done at Sears, the pose was bad, only 1 out of 5 was looking
> at the camera, the enlargement were grainy, and the focus wasn't
> sharp. I was surprised by the low quality.
Yes.. I did have tongue planted firmly in cheek. Thanks for the technical
input!
--
Less Paul
LessP...@yahoo.com
Bandicoot
news:ZbER9.559329$WL3.153250@rwcrnsc54...
> I've always done existing light photograpy, but recently my wife has asked
> for me to take family individual and group portriats. She has bought in on
> the idea of buying the gear as long as I can take "good" portraits.
> Her idea of top-notch is Olan Mills and of good is Sears/Pennys.
>
> I shoot a Maxxum 7, and am considering spending about $800 on lighting.
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is
am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
>
> I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
> appreciated. (I do know that I'll need a flash meter)
>
> Thanks much..
>
> --
> Less Paul
> LessP...@yahoo.com
>
>
Like other posters, I think an umbrella a good idea - does most of what a
softbox will for a fraction of the price. However... I did notice that
Calumet in the UK is doing a _very_ good price on some of their Illuma
softboxes just now as an 'introductory offer'. If Calumet in the US is
doing the same, you might want to take a look - their website is (I think):
http://www.calumetphoto.com/syrinx/
Hope you have fun with the home studio. I'm not a portraits person, but a
studio lets me do still life (and boring product shots). You might find you
enjoy still life, photgraphing 'found objects' etc. - and it can be a good
way to experiment with lighting without the family getting tired of sitting
for you!
Cheers,
Peter
David
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is
am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
>
> I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
> appreciated
Here is what I bought for $800 USD last year from a local camera store.
Novatron 3 light kit
500 VR power pack 250/500 switchable modeling light
The power pack supports up to 4 heads
2110C head
2140C head
2100C head
with modeling lights, switchable stops
3 stands
2 umbrellas,cords and sync cord.
And it came in a hard case it all fits in.
I like the syatem and it fit my budget.
Alan Browne
Save you money and take them to Sears!
I have seen various samples of "Sears" (now our local Wal-Mart offers
studio portraits, too). Most of the Sears portrait sets I've seen were
competent. (Set pieces to be sure... the only thing worse is the cheesy
annual rite of school photos).
What's wrong with umbrellas?
What's wrong with making your own velum difuser softbox with cardboard
and wire?
What's wrong with putting your lights behind low-quality (but bleached
white) bedsheet sections (I say low quality, 'cause you're better off
with low thread count sheets than high threadcount).
The Maxxum wireless flash does not extend to controlling the alien bees
(or any other mono/studio light).
Cheers,
Alan.
Less Paul wrote:
> I've always done existing light photograpy, but recently my wife has asked
> for me to take family individual and group portriats. She has bought in on
> the idea of buying the gear as long as I can take "good" portraits.
> Her idea of top-notch is Olan Mills and of good is Sears/Pennys.
>
> I shoot a Maxxum 7, and am considering spending about $800 on lighting.
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
>
> I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
Craig Schroeder
>I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
>appreciated. (I do know that I'll need a flash meter)
>
I used an inexpensive set of Spiralights (AC screw-in strobes) for
many years that had integrated slaves, mounted in umbrellas. I'd use
a light pop from a camera mounted flash that would be aimed at the
subject if I was struggling for more light but usually just sent
straight up as a trigger for the strobes. I am like you and only
ocassionally have a reason to drag out lights but this simple little
set up did well and cost next to nothing. I currently use a set of
Multibliz monolights (bought used and cheap) with some Calumet
umbrellas and am amazed at the f stops I can shoot at, even in large
rooms, churches, etc. In a pinch, I've used spare portable flash
units with Wein SuperSlaves bounced off of tag board or any surface
that was appropriate for results that surprised me at their decent
appearance. These are all things a working pro wouldn't want to wing
it with, but for the interested and tinkering hobbyist, it's great
fun!
Gordon Moat
try to get that one figured out in your shots. Then work the second light into
the shots. Unless you have a fairly large room to do the portraits, these
lights should be quite powerful enough, and you might do fine with the next
lower powered version.
The Alien Bees soft boxes are fairly priced compared to other brands. You
could also shoot your light through a diffuser and get a similar effect. The
dark side of a soft box keep light from spilling to the side, and reflecting
off other surfaces. You can prevent that by using barn doors with a diffuser,
and get a great simulation of a soft box look. The other benefit is that you
can easily pack and store a diffuser and barn doors.
Unless you are getting a deal on two lights, you may just want to start with
one Alien Bee. The other part of your budget can go into mini-slaves, light
modifiers, diffusers, and clamping gear.
A flash meter saves you from bracketing all your shots. If it is in your
budget, the Sekonic L-358 has some great capabilities with multi-flash,
ambient to flash percentage readout, and memory functions. They are also great
under natural light conditions, which some of the budget flash meters do not
do so well.
Ciao!
Gordon Moat
Alliance Graphique Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>
Less Paul wrote:
> I've always done existing light photograpy, but recently my wife has asked
> for me to take family individual and group portriats. She has bought in on
> the idea of buying the gear as long as I can take "good" portraits.
> Her idea of top-notch is Olan Mills and of good is Sears/Pennys.
>
> I shoot a Maxxum 7, and am considering spending about $800 on lighting.
> I currently plan on 2 AlienBees B800s w/stands and umbrellas.
>
> I know that softboxes would push me over my budget -- so the question is am
> I better off with two lights and umbrellas, or one light and a softbox?
>
> I am very new to this (studio-type lighting) so any other thoughts much
> appreciated. (I do know that I'll need a flash meter)
>
Alan Browne
Less Paul wrote:
> Alan Browne wrote:
>
>
>>What's wrong with umbrellas?
>
>
> Dunno -- but I've been told they are harsh in comparison to softboxes.
That may be "true" but umbrellas give a pretty soft light. It's all
relative. Umbrellas are certainly softer than direct lighting.
Cheers,
Alan
Robin Burns
> and it can be a good way to experiment with lighting without the
> family getting tired of sitting for you!
My wife actually volunteered to sit for some boudoir portraits when I put
together a studio lighting setup a few months ago.