AboutDon Wood Expertise I have been a professional photographer for 26 years. Wedding, portraits, passports, copies, groups pix, reunions, etc. Specialty in photography of large groups. I also have worked in newspaper photography for most of my photographic years. I have built and maintained a b/w darkroom, and a color darkroom.
Experience I have been a professional photographer for 35 years. I am transitioning to digital photography so I might be able to help in that field. I'm retired now but am still able to be helpful in the field. I have built a b/w, color darkroom, worked in a color lab, worked in the newspaper field both in darkroom and as a shooter.
Expert: Don Wood Date: 1/23/2008 Subject: Lighting purchace
Question Hello
I am about to purchace my first light kit and m in need of an opinion. I am on a tight budget and I have narrowed it down to two selections. I will be shooting people and pets in my garage.
One is a 800w Alien Bee monolight which seems to be an excellent unit with a 2 year warranty for $279. About $350 by the time I add umbrella and stand.
Or an all inclusive kit that has:
2 x 300w strobe flash total 600 ws.
2 x professional softboxes with speed rings 24" x 36" or larger.
2 x shoot through umbrellas
2 x Professional heavy duty light stands 8.5' full extended and folded 38"
1 x Wireless radio slave
2 x sync cords
2 x modeling lamp 150 watts
Flash tube by Germany PerkinElmer
with only a 90 day warranty
For $325
So basically I am wondering if I should get one light with more power or two lights with 200w less. Is it better to light from both sides or one? Do I gain notable flexibility in my lighting options by having the second light? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
mally
Answer Mally
I would choose the one with the two light setup. In portrait shooting, 1 light is a flat light, like what you would get from shooting with the flash mounted atop your camera. You can choose, with two lights, to have a 2:1 ratio, where one side of face is brighter than the other. Go to library and examine the portrait books, both photo and art books. I use three lights, 2 for frontal lighting, and one for the backlighting to eliminate shadows from the other two lights.
You will have more control over this setup than with the one light setup. I bet that the difference in lighting would only equal to 1/2 fstop.
Best of luck to you, don't quit your day job until you can equal or better the amount you earn with your photography. I'm talking about the net amount, not the gross amount earned. Net is when you remove; cost of product used, cost of time spent, cost of your dress, cost of your transportation, cost of your rent including utilities, etc.
I addition I'd suggest that you take some business courses from your local community college or college. You will better understand the nuances of running a business such as you are contemplating.
Good luck, if I can help further, please ask in this forum.
