I want to buy a portable lighting set-up.... I would like to keep it under $1000, preferably in the $600-$700 range. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to studio lighting as I prefer to work with natural light. However, I'm trying to get the proper equipment together to do portrait work. I need to figure out what would work best for me. I was thinking I would prefer continuous lighting over the strobe type. Is there and advantage of one over the other? So I guess I'm looking for thoughts and advice on which system is best and any recommendations anyone might have in a particular system. Remember it has to be portable, so I can go to the client......

Don't know photo lighting kit much. A mate of mine recently purchased a set of 4 builders lights (halogens) for like 40. They are of course not perfect studios, but fit one with a mily white perspex sheet, and there's a perfect softbox, add a couple of gells to the others, and ding dong. Works just fine. Takes some experimenting to get your colours balanced correctly, but other than that, hey man, it's just light ya know.

'chelle - that's the same boat I'm in. Looking at a few strobe setups myself. Check out these sites. May help you to decide: http://www.photo.net/learn/studiolighting/ http://www.lightingmagic.com/ -=>Donald

I'm going to check out Donalds links when I get the chance. I've done the home-made builder's light thing; shakey to set up, hot spots, burned furniture... I really do not do enough portrait work to have much of an opinion, but I'm guessing you want something to enhance the existing natural light, rather than the artificial studio-mug-shot thing? Not sure what capabilities your cameras have for metering flash through the lens, (Canon Rules! hehe!). Metering tends to be the biggest problem with flash, but in your price range there should be some sort of flash-meter. Second problem is always previsualization. With flash it is helpful to also use a low wattage continuous modeling light just to see where everything is pointing.

Well, the homemade thing won't work, at least for me. I'm trying to get my business started and I need to have the right equipment. :~) I need to look professional, even if I'm not.... I certainly won't win anyone's confidence in my photography skills by setting their house on fire.... nor will I get referrals if I come back with poorly exposed images. Misha.....the Nikon I have is able to do the TTL flash metering, yet I've never really used it.... I really don't know how to figure out the metering for flash manually. I could always put the camera into Program mode and the flash unit into Auto, but I loathe to do that.... I'm not one to give the camera control over how my images will look. So this is why I think I prefer the continuous lighting over the strobe. I set up, I just meter off the face in spot mode..... although I know I need to get a light meter too.... Donald thanks for the links.....will check them out, I'm sure they'll help....

Hi Michelle ! i used a mini studio from Multiblitz Mini lite. It was with an umbrella und a soft box. i have seen by Ebay, there are complete sets for sell. i think it should have 3 lamps, 2 umbrellas, 1 softbox. regards gerhard :O)

Thank you so very much Gerhard..... and you are happy with it? You used this for your picture "Body"? I will look into this Multiblitz.... Thanks again!

yes, Michelle i used it by the body shot(without softbox to make a hard light) and by the wine shot(1 lamp with softbox 40cm x 40 cm and 2 black paper as shader) and indian soups( 2 lamps with umbrella). i think the softbox should be so bigger as 40 cm x 40 cm. for people is 1m x 1m great. yes i am happy with it, but Multiblitz in germany is more expensive as other labels. regards gerhard :O)

'chelle - What I've been looking at for strobes is the Speedotron Brownline Series (there is also the high-end Blackline Series for pros). I think for a starter set, their 802B pack (800 watt/seconds) with a couple MW3U lights will work nicely.

When I was looking at hot lights (continuous lights), one of the kits that caught my eye was the Everlight Kit from JTL Corp. Three (3) 500W (3200K) quartz heads, three 24" softboxes with connectors, 3 stands and a case for under $600.

As for metering, it's really simple if you also pick up a flash meter (a nice ambient/flash one is best). Will add another $100-200 to your total costs, but is worth it. Metering itself is simple. With an incident meter, you set the meter to the ISO and shutter speed your camera is set to, you stand where the subject will stand, fire off each strobe individually and it will tell you the aperture required. You vary the intensity and/or position of your lights for certain effects - there are all kinds of lighting "recipes".

-=>Donald

Hey cool Donald..... I just ordered a book from Amazon on lighting.... I suppose I need to do a little more research before I go and make that purchase....since whatever I buy I'll be using for a while. I understand with just the little bit of reading that I have done online... with those links you gave... that with continuous lighting I'll have to either use tungsten film or get filters for my camera or some sort of gels for the light itself.... Thanks again.....! Don't know what I'd do without you guys!

'chelle - i think the same thing...what would I do without you? Oh lets throw caution to the wind and all move in together!! Weeeeee. smoochie smoochie Tedz - Have you patented this yet? You know how those corporate snakes are ... next thing you know it'll be "Cardboard Box Studio" (tm) by Microsoft. -=>Donald

Thank for the avice Donald...I will Patent Protect right away...do You mean for Me to move in with You as well? smoochie smoochie

A Tedz.... marvelous idea... I can see it now....! LMAO! Potty Potraits....! And I do so love the "Cardboard Box Studio.... hmmm.... Probably the most I could fit in their is a head..... perfect for head shots...! :~) Or maybe a refrigerator box would be better? I could lay at least 3 people in a box that size!! Thanks for the fantastical ideas.... and the belly laugh darling!

...hmm... Tungsten. Color balance. Mixed daylight, consumer incandescents, studio floods... This could open up a whole new thread! How do you-all deal with this? [I think Donald mentioned once that he also sets white balance using a gray card?] Are CC filters still used, or can you correct everything in Photoshop? [Sounds scarry. 'chelle does such a wonderful job of catching her subjects in natural light. Hope all the equipment does not disturb the creativity and connection with her subjects. Still, sometimes different light is needed to get the results. Maybe when we all move in, we can help carry the equipment...]

There's a lot to consider isn't there!? And as you say using digital opens up another can of worms. My conundrum, and the reason I am looking for a light kit, is because, while I prefer to work outdoors in natural settings, it's just too cold in the winter to do that! I would be limiting myself if I cannot work indoors, hence the lighting. Like this weekend... I'm supposed to be shooting a child and her dog.... we'll be working indoors, by a large picture window. The little girls Mom wants studio type shots with a backdrop..... I'm praying that the weather cooperates, and that it isn't a dingy dull day, because I'm going to need all the light I can get. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the dog will sit still.... :~)

Hey Michelle And now the fun begins. Glad to hear you're going for it. I'm using alien bees for my own personal use right now. The price was right and came recommended from some shooters I know. However, seeing as how I am getting my 10D next month I am also going to switch over to continuous lighting when more funds are available. But for now the bees are doing great for me. They're light and easy to set up, thinking about the battery for them so I don't have to worry about cords getting tripped over. At work we use photogenics, I like them but don't like the price tag. But, personally, I think one light, one of those white, silver, gold and black reflectors and a stand to hold the reflector and a good meter and you'd be set until you decide what you really need and want or decide you don't need more than that (but I doubt it, one can never have too many toys). And you can easily get all those for under $700 and get good quality as well. Best of Luck :) Doug

Yipes! Backdrops too.

@Misha - Yup. Digital makes it a whole heck of a lot easier, especially with hot lights. With the 10D and other cameras I'm sure, its really easy to set up custom white balances. Set the lights all up, bring out your white card under the lights and take a shot of it. Hit the custom WB function, bring the shot up you took of the white card and you tell it "See here? That's now white." And the 10D compensates automatically. The manual way is to have a color temperature meter. Works something like a flash meter, except gives you color temperature of the light in Kelvin. So, if you were to put it under most Quart lights, you'd get a reading of 3200K. Now set your digital camera to 3200K and you're ready to go. Film isn't that much harder, you know it's 3200K so you slap a 80A filter on your lens (of course, the freaking thing has a filter factor of something like 3 or 4). @Doug - how come you're giving up on the Alien Bees when you get your 10D? -=>Donald

Sound advice from one and all, Michelle. My tuppence worth iwould be to think about studio flash heads (strobes?) with a good modelling lamp capability. I have on occasion shot just using the modelling lamps to get a "warm" effect. Works more often than not!. Fear not with digital. I now exclusively shoot digital and use the same metering method I did for film (external meter. No reported problems so far! Hope the business is a success! Work Hard, but enjoy it too!! Cheers Dave

Not giving them up quite yet. I will probably always use them for wedding formals and other things. Mainly cause they're reliable, very light, optional battery for use outdoors. Thinking more for along the lines of in the studio for continuous for the ease of use. When I get my 10D I want the convienence of continuous. Like when shooting a 2 year old who wants to wander about the studio or across the backdrop. Rather than waiting for the strobe to recharge and perhaps miss a one time expression I'd rather be able to just shoot a little more freely. I will probably buy a couple of continuous units to compliment my set up of bees I have. And probably will buy more further down the line as I get more determined about going solo. But first it's see if I even like them. :) Doug

I'd recommend going with 60w light bulbs for the hallway. You don't want to be blinded, but ya gotta see where you'er going! With the bathroom, 100w because ya gotta make sure the makeup is applied evenly and whether or not that pesky razor burn under the arm pits is gone yet so you can wear that sexy new halter top to the cafe. The computer room best to have subdued lighting, soft and shadowless. No strain on the eyes, and no colour issues with the monitor. The fridge just needs any light. No one wants to mistake last weeks fermenting stew with the jello chocolate pudding...

Ahh BPM.... that really helps... now that I can see where I'm going I don't have to worry about those unslightly bruises from smashing into things, and my make-up is no longer smeared down my face..