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

cheap chroma key backdrop, green screen frame, photography lighting , softbox lighting kit

STUDIO PHOTO 6 PRO GAFFER CLAMPS by PBL $9.39 These photo clamps are perfect to hang your backgrounds onto your support system or clamp lights to stands. 100’s of uses. Heavy duty metal construction with rubber pads. Keeps things extra secure and damage-free….

27 Watts 5500K Color corrected Day Light Fluorescent Lamp Photo Bulb – 2 Pack $44.99 This is a fluorescent 27 watts energy saving daylight photo bulb (5500 Kelvin temp.). This Fluorescent lamp bulb emulates a soft daylight measured at full spectrum color of 90 CRI at 1800 lumens. Lifespan: 10,000 hours. Ideal for all Tungsten Continuous Lighting Kit. This photo bulb would cost you $21 each at your local retail store. Best price combo on the internet. **Limited Time Promo**…

New Backdrop Stand10×13 Muslin Black White Green Red Still Shot 2TM Professional Series 10′ x 13′ Cotton Muslin (Red Black Green and White) with Stand Genuine Still Shot 2 TM Equipment Factory Direct Professional Series Muslin Combo Set This COMBO SET is designed to save you money by combining 3 items into 1 shipment. And this kit is Awesome. Meaning we added 10′ x 13′ with this set. If the larger 10′ x 13′ muslins are preferred or to purchase in…

420W Photo Studio Umbrella 3 Light Kit with 10 x 10 ft White & Black Muslin Backdrop, Carry Bag, LimoStudio $167.88 Double Muslin (Muslin Backdrop + Muslin Protector)Muslin Protector Specially Designed by Professional Photographers’ Needs Helps Protect from Dust (Back, Front, and Floorside) Controlling Light Source & Enriching Muslin’s Color No Hot Pointson Light Beam (Not like Vinyl or Reflective Materials) Essential Parts for Professional Photographer(1) x LimoStudio 10 x 10 ft. Muslin Backdrop…

420W Photography Studio 3 Umbrella Lighting Light Kit with Double White Muslin Kit, LimoStudio $130.91 Double Muslin (Muslin Backdrop + Muslin Protector)Muslin Protector Specially Designed by Professional Photographers’ Needs Helps Protect from Dust (Back, Front, and Floorside) Controlling Light Source & Enriching Muslin’s Color No Hot Pointson Light Beam (Not like Vinyl or Reflective Materials)(1) x LimoStudio 10 x 10 ft. White Muslin Backdrop Background(1) x LimoStudio 10 x 10 ft. Whi…

PhotoKey 4 Pro – Green Screen Software $241.00 Add professional greenscreen photography to your portfolio of services with PhotoKey 4 Pro. Whether in the studio or on location, greenscreens enable you to transport your subjects anywhere in the world. You no longer need to maintain an unwieldy selection of color backings – all you need is a single greenscreen and PhotoKey 4 Pro. The new Hot Folder feature makes it easier than ever to batch proc…

PBL SANDBAG HEAVYDUTY SADDLEBAG DESIGN 4 BAGS HOLDS 20LBS OF SAND NEW by PBL $18.49 YOU CANNOT PURCHASE A BETTER QUALITY SANDBAG ANYWHERE AT THIS PRICE. WE GUARANTEE IT. This is a set of 4 professional heavy duty sand bags. Their unique saddlebag design can be draped over or clamped onto light stand legs, or to boom arms to provide extra stability. With dual 10 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ interior compartments, these heavy duty bags can be filled and emptied over and over again with sand, g…

Two Prism 10×20′ 100% Cotton Muslin Backdrops and The Ravelli Full Size 10×12′ Background Stand Set $156.39 This Kit includes the following: 1 – Ravelli Full Size 10×12.3′ Background Stand Complete with Carry Bag 1 – Prism 10×20′ White 100% Cotton Muslin Backdrop With Carry Bag 1 – Prism 10×20′ Black 100% Cotton Muslin Backdrop With Carry Bag Ravelli Backdrop Stand The Ravelli Model ABS model background stand is 10′ tall by 12.3′ wide. It is comprised of two tripod stands and four 3′ cross bar section…

SP2000 Backdrop Background Support Stand For Muslins, Scenic Backdrops and Chromakey Greenscreens or Bluescreens $69.95 Square Perfect is pleased to be the premier photo supplier on EBAY. We have combed the world over for the most robust, highest quality, full featured equipment. If you are seriously considering purchasing new equipment, look no further. Independent reviews show the quality of our products.Square Perfect has done it again. This top of the line backdrop support system is perfect for the professiona…

Understanding Flash Photography: How to Shoot Great Photographs Using Electronic Flash $15.92 This guide to on- and off-camera flash picks up where Understanding Exposure leaves off, helping free photographers from the limitations of “auto” to get the images they want when natural light isn’t enough. For the many amateur photographers afraid to venture past natural lighting, here is the book that will finally help them explore the exciting possibilities of artificial light. In his trademar…