So I got some lighting gear and don't know what to do with it

*pingflood* · 08-19-2008, 05:59 PM

Well, I have been looking at Strobist type setups for a while when something popped up locally for sale. It was too nice a deal to turn down, $150 total for:

2 160ws monolights
3 umbrellas (40" gold, 40" silver, 32" white with removable back I think)
2 barndoors
1 reflector
1 10x24 softbox
1 grid with gel holder and gels
2 diffusers
1 snoot
radio triggers and transmitter
bunch of sync cords and other misc

So I think I'm all set for basic lighting work. Any suggestions where to start? A friend of mine recommended a single light + umbrella and just work with it to learn the very basics. Going to read the Strobist site as much as I can too.

Are there any books/sites I should pay close attention to to educated myself on basic lighting?

geauxpez · 08-19-2008, 07:36 PM

You're off to a good start with Strobist. Working through the tutorials and learning the concepts will give you a strong foundation.

*bigben91682* · 08-19-2008, 08:03 PM

+ 1 for strobist site. Work through the Strobist 101 "lessons" and you should be well on your way.

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, what kind of monolights are they?

*pingflood* · 08-20-2008, 05:45 AM

They are PG4000 (similar to PG4001ML) from Photographer's Warehouse. I'm sure they are not the very best, but the guy who had them before did a lot of nice work with them and I think that just about any equipment is more than I'm able to put to good use right now.

Spent last evening reading a lot on Strobist, so will start playing with the stuff this week... just a single light for starters.

*Peter Zack* · 08-20-2008, 05:54 AM

Great deal on the kit and you should be able to do very well with it and not have to add much more. Strobist is a great place to learn.

There is some good background info here as well. http://photo.net/learn/studiolighting/

*Clicker* · 08-20-2008, 07:25 AM

Rather than typing (i'm a lazy bastard) you start reading...and reading...and reading...then start shooting

(just to start you off)

Studio Lighting - a beginners guide to lighting

*pingflood* · 08-20-2008, 06:06 PM

I really appreciate the input, guys! Set up a VERY basic rig tonight with a single light first going through a softbox and then bouncing off an umbrella. One of the verrryyy first test shots so don't make fun of me! What I like is that other than the obvious umbrella in the lenses, the light overall looks pretty 'natural'.

ll_coffee_lP · 08-20-2008, 06:07 PM

A moose has your Yashica dude.

c[_]

*pingflood* · 08-20-2008, 06:10 PM

I know, and the bastard won't give it back either. At least it wasn't my Leica.

*Peter Zack* · 08-20-2008, 09:32 PM

Well at least the model works cheap. Nce old camera BTW. Make sure you run 10-20 frames through it once in awhile.

The light is very nice from that side and you can see why 2 or 3 lights are often used. A second light that is turned down about half the power of the main light and positioned on the right side 90 degrees from the camera or even slightly behind the subject will help even out the shadows and make a much more pleasing result.

*pingflood* · 08-21-2008, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Peter Zack

Well at least the model works cheap. Nce old camera BTW. Make sure you run 10-20 frames through it once in awhile.

The light is very nice from that side and you can see why 2 or 3 lights are often used. A second light that is turned down about half the power of the main light and positioned on the right side 90 degrees from the camera or even slightly behind the subject will help even out the shadows and make a much more pleasing result.

Hi Peter. The Yashica sees some use, don't worry! I have a ton of film gear and I make sure to keep it happy.

Been trying to whittle it down to what I really NEED but it's hard parting with gear... did sell one of the Leicas though, so there's hope.

I figured I'll bring the second light in once I have a bit of a clue what to do with the first one. Will play with the snoot and grid and such this weekend to get an idea of how the different pieces act, try to get a good single light look and then slowly bring the second one into play at low power to fill in the 'missing' pieces. Thanks for the advice.

*Clicker* · 08-21-2008, 05:28 PM

next shot add a "fill" light to decrease those shadows unless you wanted the shadows

Play with the placement of your softbox, you'll see the differences...near/far, up/down blah blah blah