Beginner's Studio Equipment and Lighting Questions

[GWestphal]

I picked up a Canon 60D last month and I have the 18-135mm lens and I'm really happy with it. I'm wanting to stick my toes into studio work with my girlfriend and maybe starting to take on some small income type projects.

What do I need? Obviously, some lighting and backdrops. But can anybody explain what are the most versatile things go acquire?

I've been contemplating picking up a polarizer, either B+W or Hoya, but I'm unsure as to what size and what variety to get HD, Digital, MRC, etc etc. Some sites recommend getting only 77mm filters and using step up rings that way you can always avoid vignetting at the expense of more expensive filters and some extra bulk on the lens.

I don't own a flash, but that is something else to think about too. I guess I've never seen pros use on camera flash when then have standing lights and such.

One thing I am curious about is what exactly are all the different kind of lights for? I hear things like strobes, soft boxes, diffusers, speedlites, barn door, spots etc then there are all these reflector from different materials, gold, silver, white etc .

What are they all normally used for? Which are not that useful?

I'm primarily interested in shooting my girlfriend to help with her portfolio and probably landscape/nature.

In terms of lens, I don't know how important fast lenses are in these types of situations. Are prime lens desirable for these types of photography? I was contemplating getting a 1.4 or 1.8, 30 or 50 mm but I'm not sure having a wide aperture will be that useful for what I'll be doing most.

Any and all help is appreciate by this newbie!

 

[Throckmorton]

Why don't you first try photographing your girlfriend outdoors?

 

[alfa147x]

I have this:
http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/prod...t_kit/cf0502k1

Amazing. Plus you get almost $100 off when using a student discount. Also bought cheap battery powered strobes and an umbrella adapter to use that kit on the go

 

[xchangx]

First thing you should do is learn photography. Learn how to achieve perfect exposure, how light factors in, etc.

Until then, save your money on lights.

 

[twistedlogic]

What do I need? Obviously, some lighting and backdrops. But can anybody explain what are the most versatile things go acquire?

The most important thing you will need is experience. On one photographers blog I follow suggests that we need 10,000 hours of practice before even considering ourselves a pro. That's 5 years of full time work, 40 hours a week.

A great place to start is this book this book.

One thing I am curious about is what exactly are all the different kind of lights for? I hear things like strobes, soft boxes, diffusers, speedlites, barn door, spots etc then there are all these reflector from different materials, gold, silver, white etc.

There are basically two main types of photography "flash", strobes and speedlights. Each type of light has its advantages and disadvantages. Softboxes, umbrellas, grids, stripbanks, octabanks, beuty dish, etc. etc., are all different types of light modifiers/diffusers, each one giving the user control of the softness and spill of the lights.

You could get started on the cheap with a manual flash speedlight, a light stand, an umbrella, a reflector and some type of wireless trigger. And if you can afford, also grab a light meter. I wouldn't worry about lenses or CPLs right now, most studio work is done at larger apertures anyway so your 18-135 will work great.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I picked up a Canon 60D last month and I have the 18-135mm lens and I'm really happy with it. I'm wanting to stick my toes into studio work with my girlfriend and maybe starting to take on some small income type projects.

What do I need? Obviously, some lighting and backdrops. But can anybody explain what are the most versatile things go acquire?

I've been contemplating picking up a polarizer, either B+W or Hoya, but I'm unsure as to what size and what variety to get HD, Digital, MRC, etc etc. Some sites recommend getting only 77mm filters and using step up rings that way you can always avoid vignetting at the expense of more expensive filters and some extra bulk on the lens.

I don't own a flash, but that is something else to think about too. I guess I've never seen pros use on camera flash when then have standing lights and such.

One thing I am curious about is what exactly are all the different kind of lights for? I hear things like strobes, soft boxes, diffusers, speedlites, barn door, spots etc then there are all these reflector from different materials, gold, silver, white etc .

What are they all normally used for? Which are not that useful?

I'm primarily interested in shooting my girlfriend to help with her portfolio and probably landscape/nature.

In terms of lens, I don't know how important fast lenses are in these types of situations. Are prime lens desirable for these types of photography? I was contemplating getting a 1.4 or 1.8, 30 or 50 mm but I'm not sure having a wide aperture will be that useful for what I'll be doing most.

Any and all help is appreciate by this newbie!

Do not ignore the advice you are getting here. Learn and shoot, master your media. You'll be ready to get the stuff you're thinking about now when you don't have to ask anybody what to get.

Whatever anyone thinks of Ken Rockwell, he is dead on in his reading recommendations.

The MUST READS (in order) are:

The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933952687/?tag=kenrockwellcom

Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography with Available Light
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321752503/?tag=kenrockwellcom

The SHOULD READS (in order) are:

Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393338088/?tag=kenrockwellcom

Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0817439617/?tag=kenrockwellcom

BTW, you can also learn a lot from his website. You'll outgrow him in a year or so, but there is a reason he's the most read photographer in the world.

JR

 

[foghorn67]

You're mind will be blown on how easy 99% of studio shots are.

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-...5100827&sr=8-1

A new edition is coming in a couple weeks, just an added chapter though.

 

[shortylickens]

As others have said, spend plenty of time practicing with just the camera. Until then save your money. When the time is right you will know what you want.

Also I've found its better to make your own lighting equipment with parts from the hardware store, as opposed to spending assloads on so called professional lighting.

 

[angry hampster]

Studio work isn't something you just jump into. To again echo what others have said, shoot outdoors, learn the basics of reciprocity and exposure.

Studio work is a lot of fun, but flash work can be very challenging and unforgiving. Learn how to use natural light to compose shots first, then work to understand flash.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Also, for your reading pleasure:

http://diyphotography.net/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

JR

 

[angry hampster]

Also, for your reading pleasure:

http://diyphotography.net/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

JR

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Both sites are incredible. Strobist has been my bible for learning how to use flash on-site or in a studio.

 

[virtuamike]

Studio is an exercise in composition - you're building up from a blank slate. Photography is visual communication, and there's much more to the vocabulary than just lighting. Don't worry so much about the tools. Shoot and start thinking about what you're trying to say, and go from there.

 

[The Stigenator]

lots of good resources in this post.

If you are starting off, you may not even want to do with studio strobe / flash lighting. Get your gf to be the model, use lamps with daylight 5500K bulbs (CFL's will do) or the GE Natural bulbs and go at it. You can use constant lighting to start with and then go strobes. Cheap strobes are not worth it, save up for a Calumet Genesis or better yet Alien Bees.

The deal is more you play more you understand. Remember your model should be willing, or she will bitch about it.

 

[ITXGamer]

use lamps with daylight 5500K bulbs (CFL's will do) or the GE Natural bulbs and go at it.

I'm certainly no expert, but the lighting for my close-up of hardware for reviews is provided by desk lamps from Walmart and 6500K CFL bulbs diffused with a single sheet of white tissue paper. Total price, about $18. Couldn't ask for a better solution.