Photography

Photography Backdrop Kit

What Photography Lighting?

I’m a fairly new, teen photographer, and this summer I am taking half of our garage and converting it into a small “studio” so I can work on portraits and have more studio type photos. I currently have a Canon T1i, but by the end of the summer I hope to have a Canon 5d Mk ii… haha ya right! Anyway, I have absolutely no experience in lighting and was wondering what I should get. Please be specific! Like a brand, the kit with everything I would need to start, and in a semi-reasonable price if possible. Also, what lenses do portrait and studio photographers use? And, what type of backgrounds/backdrops should I use? I was looking into seamless paper. Anyway, any help is appreciated!
And here is my flickr to get any idea… not the best, but I’m learning.

getting started in lighting is great.

first, take a look at some youtube videos it will give you a better idea what to look out for.

http://www.youtube.com/user/prophotolife#p/a/197F9921FE5C5570/2/gL8mhBtIAco

(I like this channel, lots of applicable lighting guides)

http://www.youtube.com/user/adoramaTV#p/a

(They also have a lot of information, but you’ll have to find specific episodes that deal with lighting.

Lighting typically has three lights.
1. main light
2. fill light (fills in the shadow areas, typically a fraction of the power of the main light.
3. rim light (back lighting)

Next is light modifiers.
People modify the light in different ways. including …
soft boxes
reflectors
grids
barn doors

Next, consider getting a light meter, so that you can guage what you are doing.

To start, i recommend the following equipment:
1. Canon 580EX (get two to three. Three for the three types of lighting. You can get two if you are on a budget. Use a reflector as a fill light instead.
2. light stands

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lightstands/ci/5799/N/4289244488

3. light meter (start with a basic one, it will give you enough information without being too confusing. The more expensive ones are extrememly difficult to navigate)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368226-REG/Sekonic_401_309_L_308S_Flashmate_Light_Meter.html

(I later upgraded to the sekonic 758D – because i’m trying some advance functions that do not deal with strobes)
4. light modifiers (The sky is the limit here)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Lighting-Studio/ci/1161/N/4294551176

(Look at softboxes, umbrellas, and light modifiers)
(You’ll learn what you need as you go through youtube and want to try specific things for a specific effect)
5. you’ll need a flash trigger to fire off the flash
The best – PocketWizard
The budget – any triggers that can be found cheaply on ebay.
The difference – TTL metering

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/621566-REG/Interfit_INT492R_INT492R_Hot_Shoe_and.html

6. if you don’t want to buy the flash guns mentioned above, you can get a non portable lighting kit.
something similar to the following…

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/443038-REG/Smith_Victor_408087_Economy_Softbox_3_Light.html

note: I use flash guns not strobes, so i don’t have a specific recommendation for a3 light kit

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