 Steve Wilcox |
Home Studio: Monolights I'm looking to start doing some studio photography at my house. I would also like some control over the light for more artistic shots too. I'm looking at monolight set-ups and getting a little overwhelmed. How many w/s do I need to get started? Money is an issue and don't want to buy something I don't need right now. I have a Canon Digital Rebel xti.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Steve, Because there are many variables and lighting set-ups, I highly recommend investing in John Siskin's Understanding the Tools of Photography Lighting 4 week course. John will give you a lot of information (on top of the information packed lessons) and show you how to get started inexpensively as well as preparing you for long term investments to start building a lighting system to fit your future needs. I took this course a while back and I am still working through a lot of the information and building my own lighting system. The course will give you a better overall understanding and you will no longer feel so overwhelmed about how you want to achieve a specific capture with your photography.
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Steve, Thanks Carlton! To answer your question, Steve, start with one light with at least 600 real watt-seconds. Although you may not need the power for most of your work, if you get a group shot you probably will need the power. Second and third lights can be much less powerful. You should check out my article about shooting with one light. I will include a link to that and a few more articles here: www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=129 www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=156 www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=148 I hope these articles help! Thanks, John Siskin
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Bernard |
Would a white cotton sheet serve as light panel material? Because of the diversity of a basic 600 w/s strobe vs. the usually more complicated strobe such as the SB-800, would these strobes generally be compatible, realizing many functions will be disabled?
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Steve Wilcox |
Thanks for the input. It's a huge help!!
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Bernard, White cotton is a good material for a light panel. You can use a proprietary strobe with a monolight, but the proprietary strobe needs to be controlled manually. Thanks, John Siskin
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Bernard |
Thanks John After I finish working my SB800 through the owners manual, the light panel and 800 w/s monolight will be my next purchase. then I'll be better prepared to enroll in a few classes here at better photo Thanks again, Bernard
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Bernard, Control over light gives you wonderful opportunities to make new and compelling pictures. Thanks, John
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Debby A. Tabb |
Hi Steve, I"d like to invite you to email me with your budget and space intended for studio,and a list of what you have now. I will send you my "studio wish list" I have done consulting work for many companies over the years, but helping those here develop thier dreams is a pleasure I do. I wish you the best in your venture, Debby Tabb
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