Need Help Shopping for Lighting Equipment.
Wow I've been asking or help alot lately, but I really do need help on this one...
Ok, then. I'm sick of photographing on the cheap. I've been using natural light(which is great, but has limits) and colored paper for two years now and I'd really really like to get something better. What I want to do is create a little studio for my figures. That way I can build permanent sets and have more control over lighting. I've seen other figure photographers do it, and their pictures look awesome. The problem is that since I have no experience with lighting, I'm not quite sure what I should get. I've done some research on my own and there appear to be lots of continuous lighting kits on the market, but I want to be sure it's what will work before I buy it since they tend to be expensive. I'd prefer to have actual photography equipment rather than desk lamps XD. So, does anyone out there know of any good light kits or what I would need to acheive the super awesome light of my dreams? ^^
Then I can get back to taking pictures ._.' Enjoy the random flower picture btw, I didn't want the space to be empty XD
...I'll work on upgrading my camera later orz
desk lamps and picture frames are usually a great way to start off into lighting.
here's a little video from some guys in Hong Kong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk5hHNsAcec
Here's some nice lighting equipment you can buy.
Profoto -> http://www.profoto.com
Elinchrom -> http://www.elinchrom.com/
They are really cheap, around 2 grands for a single light. So you need 4 grand to go with a pair.
I'm not going to lie, lighting is expensive. For what you planning to do, you will need 2 flashes and a transmitter. Just that will cost you about $500. use the desk lamps you have and learn how to master the light.
If you are going into studio lighting they are expensive, any way toys are small, so lightnings setup can be smaller also.
Currently I am using a mix mode of the following 2:
1) Get at least 2 flashes, with a external flash trigger. You can choose YongNuo flashes, flashes like YN468 are quite cheap & sufficient with TTL. But if you also have plans to shoot with flash in day light, you will need flashes like Nissin to do high speed sync (flash with shutter speed higher than 1/250, or depends on camera x-sync speed)
2) Continuous lighting you can get LED Video lights and candy bar style LED touch lights (mine is (3x8 LEDs), they give continuous lighting, and enough for toy/dolls shooting
As for other accessories, you may want to start cheap to reduce cost. I use all kinds of diffusers ~ A4 Paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, or anything that can reduce lights. Reflectors make out of aluminum foils (those use for kitchen stoves). I not sure where you can get those in US, but in SG I go to our local Daiso store to DIY some of the stuffs. The advantage of DIY reflectors is you can make them the size of your require setup.
Some of my setup shoots http://www.flickr.com/photos/slmka/5937061257/in/set-72157627194404628/
My recent Christmas shoots lighting are all done with 1 LED touch light (3*8 LEDs)
Mia's Christmas Tree > http://www.slmka.com/2011/12/mias-christmas-tree.html
Hope this helps =)