Expert: Don Wood - 12/27/2007

Question
Please HELP! I am just starting out in photography and looking to purchase my first light kit. I plan to shoot in my garage mostly people and pets. I am thinking about a continuous light kit so I don’t have to wait for flash recovery. However I am COMPLETELY at a loss for what I need. I don’t understand what the difference between the watts output and the amount of light output. For instance, I was looking at one kit and it was 500 watts, continuous lighting with two white “shoot through” reflective umbrellas. When I e-mailed them to ask if it was good for portraits, they said it was “a little hot and I should try the 800 watts kit” WHAT???? 800 is more than 500 so how is it not as hot?? What should I be looking for?????

Answer
I think that you would find that having a continuous light source would create heat which during summer would not be good. Most electronic "strobe" lights have a modeling light to enable you to focus, etc before taking the picture.  I would suggest that you go to the library and study books on lighting, both in art and photography. I suspect that the difference between the 500 and 800 corresponded to a rather sizeable price increase. I feel you should base your question on the film or sensitivity you would dial into your digital camera. Perhaps the term "hot" should be interpreted literally and that the output of 800 was cooler. Check the Kelvin of the lights, you'll probably want a Kelvin that matches mid-day sun, 5000 degrees Kelvin. This is a compromise between the blue white of a light or the yellowish-orange white light of a lower incandescent bulb. This is why in a church, the light reproduces with an orange tint. They use lower Kelvin degree bulbs.
I repeat that you should try to educate yourself re the lighting. Investigate the trade schools, investigate the library and Internet. Read and educate yourself. This includes your learning to be a business-man so that you avoid common mistakes. Pricing photos is not just charging for the film and developing and adding your profit, or the cost of your camera, paper, ink for producing the print from a digital image. You must also charge for the electricity you use, your time spent in the production of the order. Add to that the image you must represent by dressing well, by having a pleasant sitting room. Another thing to watch for is the people that know you are just starting out and try to give you a break by producing pictures for them at a low cost. If word gets around that you are producing low-cost pix, you will have enough business to keep you working, but not be able to pay your bills. This being said, the business of photography does lend itself well to a part-time passion. Don't give up your day job. Most portrait sessions can be scheduled for evenings, or weekends. If I can be of further help, please let me know.
Thanks for asking.
Don