Beginner Studio Lighting Kit Suggestions

synnyster · 12-04-2013, 02:47 PM

Hi All,

I'm about to have a baby and want to acquire a budget studio lighting kit to take photos when the time comes. I currently have a Pentax K-5 with a Metz AF-1 flash. I also have 2 Loadstone 86" light stands, one with a hotshoe adapter for my Metz. What do you all suggest I get to compliment my setup so I can get some good quality "studio" shots? I've been looking online and there are a few light kits I see that are affordable on Amazon (< $250). I'd like to keep the budget around or under $200.

From what I can tell, I need a backdrop kit, perhaps a softbox, and some umbrellas. Do I need a constant light? Do I need flash triggers? Should I get a cheapo flash as well? Any suggestions would be great.

adpo · 12-04-2013, 03:22 PM

Best $110 you'll ever spend on studio lighting
creativeLIVE: Studio Lighting with Zack Arias

You can have the gear, but it doesn't mean anything without the knowledge and skills behind it. More often than not, the ideal kit comes after attaining the knowledge of your actual needs

tuco · 12-04-2013, 04:06 PM

Light modifiers! If you don't want to buy your studio strobes twice, get a system that has plenty of accessories and light modifiers available for it to fit the strobes.

synnyster · 12-04-2013, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by adpo

Best $110 you'll ever spend on studio lighting
creativeLIVE: Studio Lighting with Zack Arias

You can have the gear, but it doesn't mean anything without the knowledge and skills behind it. More often than not, the ideal kit comes after attaining the knowledge of your actual needs

Thanks for the suggestion. I still need the gear to practice with. Once I acquire it I will be reading up on lighting techniques etc.

synnyster · 12-04-2013, 04:33 PM

Would this kit be overkill?

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio 220 Watt Photography Studio Monolight Flash Lighting Kit - 2 Studio Flash/Strobe, 2 Softboxes, 1 Background Support System, Black & White Muslin Backdrops and Carry Case: Camera & Photo

kenyee · 12-04-2013, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by synnyster

so I can get some good quality "studio" shots?

What do you think "studio shots" look like?
I'm assuming you mean muslin backgrounds? For typical family photos, you usually need 3 lights, and props.
For the $200 budget, you probably won't get better than what you pointed out

I'd avoid constant lights but kids are usually twitchy so you'll get motion blur.
Studio strobes should have 250W modeling lamps so you can aim them properly, though you could do it w/ speedlights.
Look at Strobist to learn how to light.

**Eric Auer** · 12-04-2013, 06:44 PM

Clip lights from Home depot, A bucket of bulbs from 15w to 100w. Clothes pins, Parchment Paper and a a clean white wall.

The rest is technique.

dansamy · 12-04-2013, 08:10 PM

What's the parchment for?

**Eric Auer** · 12-04-2013, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by dansamy

What's the parchment for?

Use as reflectors, diffusers. Pin loosely over clip lights. Watch carefully as you dont want them to go up in fire.

Play with the paper, Hang them loose, Turn in to cones etc.

Just have fun.

dansamy · 12-04-2013, 09:09 PM

Yeah, almost as soon as I asked, I started thinking of what you COULD do with parchment. I suppose one could also make reflectors with some household materials also.

**Eric Auer** · 12-04-2013, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by dansamy

Yeah, almost as soon as I asked, I started thinking of what you COULD do with parchment. I suppose one could also make reflectors with some household materials also.

Yeah, But these are hard to beat.
HDX 150-Watt Incandescent Clamp Light-CE-300PDQ at The Home Depot

Just dont overload your circuits by plugging in too many on the same leg.

kenyee · 12-05-2013, 08:42 AM

for reflectors, you can use disposable aluminum baking pans as well.
Cheap poster boards from Michael's or some other crafts store works well for reflectors too...they have gold, white, etc.

It's really about light. Just make sure to have enough so your shutter speed doesn't drop too low if you're using continuous light...

But the question is still what do "studio shots" mean to the OP. An example would help us figure out what's really needed...

**JimJohnson** · 12-05-2013, 02:07 PM

Constant lighting (typically done with 6500K fluorescent bulbs these days) makes it easy to get the desired lighting effect. The downside is even with some pretty high wattage bulbs (for fluorescent lights), you will likely find your shutter speeds are lower than what you would like for an active subject. The flip side is that lamp holders can be inexpensively converted into speedlight (flash) holders by the time the baby is more active and by then you should know what does and doesn't work for you.

tuggie76 · 12-05-2013, 05:42 PM

I've heard different ideas as to wether flash is good for new borns or only natural light should be used. Does anyone have a definative answer?

Thanks.

Tuggie76

dansamy · 12-05-2013, 05:55 PM

Newborns have acrocyanotic skin in the first couple of days due to the circulatory system changes that occur as a result of transition to ex-utero life. Their extremities are prone to bluish-purplish mottling, exacerbated by a cool room temperature. It's important to have a warm room if you want any of those naked or diapered baby photos. Too much light might also give you some translucency issues depending on the baby.

And not every baby is cute & cherubic & photogenic. Some babies you'll have to work hard to get a "cute" picture.

12-04-2013, 02:47 PM	#1
synnyster Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 203	Beginner Studio Lighting Kit Suggestions Hi All, I'm about to have a baby and want to acquire a budget studio lighting kit to take photos when the time comes. I currently have a Pentax K-5 with a Metz AF-1 flash. I also have 2 Loadstone 86" light stands, one with a hotshoe adapter for my Metz. What do you all suggest I get to compliment my setup so I can get some good quality "studio" shots? I've been looking online and there are a few light kits I see that are affordable on Amazon (< $250). I'd like to keep the budget around or under $200. From what I can tell, I need a backdrop kit, perhaps a softbox, and some umbrellas. Do I need a constant light? Do I need flash triggers? Should I get a cheapo flash as well? Any suggestions would be great.

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12-04-2013, 03:22 PM	#2
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	Best $110 you'll ever spend on studio lighting creativeLIVE: Studio Lighting with Zack Arias You can have the gear, but it doesn't mean anything without the knowledge and skills behind it. More often than not, the ideal kit comes after attaining the knowledge of your actual needs

12-04-2013, 04:06 PM	#3
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,025	Light modifiers! If you don't want to buy your studio strobes twice, get a system that has plenty of accessories and light modifiers available for it to fit the strobes.

12-04-2013, 04:33 PM	#4
synnyster Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 203 Original Poster	Originally posted by adpo Best $110 you'll ever spend on studio lighting creativeLIVE: Studio Lighting with Zack Arias You can have the gear, but it doesn't mean anything without the knowledge and skills behind it. More often than not, the ideal kit comes after attaining the knowledge of your actual needs Thanks for the suggestion. I still need the gear to practice with. Once I acquire it I will be reading up on lighting techniques etc.

12-04-2013, 04:46 PM	#6
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by synnyster so I can get some good quality "studio" shots? What do you think "studio shots" look like? I'm assuming you mean muslin backgrounds? For typical family photos, you usually need 3 lights, and props. For the $200 budget, you probably won't get better than what you pointed out I'd avoid constant lights but kids are usually twitchy so you'll get motion blur. Studio strobes should have 250W modeling lamps so you can aim them properly, though you could do it w/ speedlights. Look at Strobist to learn how to light.

12-04-2013, 06:44 PM	#7
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Clip lights from Home depot, A bucket of bulbs from 15w to 100w. Clothes pins, Parchment Paper and a a clean white wall. The rest is technique.

12-04-2013, 08:10 PM	#8
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	What's the parchment for?

12-04-2013, 09:00 PM	#9
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by dansamy What's the parchment for? Use as reflectors, diffusers. Pin loosely over clip lights. Watch carefully as you dont want them to go up in fire. Play with the paper, Hang them loose, Turn in to cones etc. Just have fun.

12-04-2013, 09:09 PM	#10
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Yeah, almost as soon as I asked, I started thinking of what you COULD do with parchment. I suppose one could also make reflectors with some household materials also.

12-04-2013, 10:09 PM	#11
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by dansamy Yeah, almost as soon as I asked, I started thinking of what you COULD do with parchment. I suppose one could also make reflectors with some household materials also. Yeah, But these are hard to beat. HDX 150-Watt Incandescent Clamp Light-CE-300PDQ at The Home Depot Just dont overload your circuits by plugging in too many on the same leg.

12-05-2013, 08:42 AM	#12
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	for reflectors, you can use disposable aluminum baking pans as well. Cheap poster boards from Michael's or some other crafts store works well for reflectors too...they have gold, white, etc. It's really about light. Just make sure to have enough so your shutter speed doesn't drop too low if you're using continuous light... But the question is still what do "studio shots" mean to the OP. An example would help us figure out what's really needed...

12-05-2013, 02:07 PM	#13
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,772	Constant lighting (typically done with 6500K fluorescent bulbs these days) makes it easy to get the desired lighting effect. The downside is even with some pretty high wattage bulbs (for fluorescent lights), you will likely find your shutter speeds are lower than what you would like for an active subject. The flip side is that lamp holders can be inexpensively converted into speedlight (flash) holders by the time the baby is more active and by then you should know what does and doesn't work for you.

12-05-2013, 05:42 PM	#14
tuggie76 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,215	I've heard different ideas as to wether flash is good for new borns or only natural light should be used. Does anyone have a definative answer? Thanks. Tuggie76

12-05-2013, 05:55 PM	#15
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Newborns have acrocyanotic skin in the first couple of days due to the circulatory system changes that occur as a result of transition to ex-utero life. Their extremities are prone to bluish-purplish mottling, exacerbated by a cool room temperature. It's important to have a warm room if you want any of those naked or diapered baby photos. Too much light might also give you some translucency issues depending on the baby. And not every baby is cute & cherubic & photogenic. Some babies you'll have to work hard to get a "cute" picture.