Studio photography
Ken Graham
to play around with smaller items such as flowers in a vase and
things like that. I was thinking of starting out with two lights and two
stands. I have a light meter and a umbrella for a flash. (Don't ask why
I have an umbrella and no light stand to mount it on). Any recommendations
on a 'starter kit' for such a project. I've looked in the B&H catalog, but
I don't know what I need. I don't want to go overboard. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
Jon Cohen
Ken Graham wrote in message <7jrkko$7...@dfw-ixnews4.ix.netcom.com>...
I started with a Speedotron "brown line" starter kit, and I'm still using
it.
Sure, I don't have the fine tuning adjustments possible with more expensive
equipment, but I've managed to work around that with experience.
Once you've got 2-4 lights with stands, you can then start experimenting:
o Light modifiers, especially soft boxes, are great
o Fancier stands, with booms, so that you can position the lights
in a variety of ways.
o Backgrounds
o Reflectors
o Snoots, spots, barn doors, gobos, grids all help modify lights
o etc.
Warning -- can be habit forming.
Jon
http://www.looknseephoto.com
Frank Calidonna
Ken Graham wrote:
> I've been doing a little research into studio photography. I want
> to play around with smaller items such as flowers in a vase and
> things like that. I was thinking of starting out with two lights and two
> stands. I have a light meter and a umbrella for a flash. (Don't ask why
> I have an umbrella and no light stand to mount it on). Any recommendations
> on a 'starter kit' for such a project. I've looked in the B&H catalog, but
> I don't know what I need. I don't want to go overboard. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
If you really are new to studio work and really want to learn about lighting I
would suggest purchasing two hot lights. Smith-Victor makes some relatively
inexpensive quartz light kits. (don't go with regular floods). B&H sells them,
but you might want to get a couple of brochures from Smith-Victor first.
I think hot lights are the best way to learn still life lighting. Hot lights
allow you to see exactely what you are going to get on your film, they are
easy to work with and allow excellent control. Flash is more difficult to
control and even units with built in modeling lights don't really show you the
end result as well. To go from hot lights to flash is much easier than trying
to learn from the start with flash. It will probably cost as much as flash,
but I think you will find them more rewarding to work with. As you gain
expertise you can always add flash to your equipment later.
If you work with B&W you can use whatever film you already know. Color
requires a tungsten film but they are available from both Kodak and Fuji.
Small object still life work is so interesting and you really will learn
lighting. You also can start hitting garage sales for the hundred knick
knacks, fabric swatches, table settings, glassware, old windows, small props,
and the zillion other items that make this a fascinating photographic
exercise. You are the photographer, art director, carpenter, set designer and
builder, stylist, and lighting wizard all rolled up into one. It is a fun way
to spend time with your camera. Enjoy.
Frank Rome, NY
Ken Graham
must
say, your work with the dancers is stunning to say the least. I can't
believe
you quit being a professional photographer. You have exquisite taste and
outstanding artistic ability.
I hope to see more of your work soon.
Ken Graham
Jon Cohen <jon_...@nojunk.hp.com> wrote in message
news:7jrqme$56e$1...@ocean.cup.hp.com...
Kyle Cassidy
:
: If you really are new to studio work and really want to learn about lighting I
: would suggest purchasing two hot lights. Smith-Victor makes some relatively
if you're going to use hot lights, i suggest you check out pep boys -- i
got a pair of 500 watt quarts lights there for $15 each -- they're used
(at car fix-it-shops for illuminating car stuff in garages. color balance
is close enough and they're So Damn Cheap.
kc