Home studio advice

[Dismom+two]

For many years, I have always wanted to expand my photography to having a studio. I have never had any formal education in photography. I have been taking pictures since I was in highschool over 20 years ago.

I guess I am looking for some advice, tips, suggestions on mainly the lighting aspect. I have no idea how these umbrella things work...they are flashes correct? I have been more of a natural light...outdoors sort of photographer. I don't have a whole lot of money to get started.

What are your thoughts??

Thanks so much!
Brenda

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'd get some books on studio lighting and read up on the subject before buying anything. Understand that you need a pretty big room unless you want to just shoot kids and "head-and-shoulders" portraits.

I'd recommend Light: Science and Magic as a good intro to the theory of lighting. Beyond that, I'd look for a good studio lighting book (I don't have any good recommendations). You might also spend some time reading the DPReview lighting forum.

Your first big decision is what type of lights you want to use. If you plan to shoot mainly in the field, I'd recommend that you stick with speedlights. If you plan to shoot mainly in a home studio, you can go with either studio strobes or constant brightness lights like Wescott makes. I prefer strobes. It's a little harder to learn than constant brightness lights, but they are more versatile.

As for light modifiers (umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors, barn doors, gobos, grids, gels, etc), you'll learn about those as you read up on the subject. They are all devices used to change the light. Some make it softer, others control the direction, still others control the color.

Start small. It is much easier to learn lighting with one light than it is to learn how to control 5 or 10 lights. Start with 1 light and a reflector and add additional lights only when you feel that you understand how to use the ones that you have.

I would also recommend a good light meter. You want an incident light meter like the Seconic L-358. With a small number of lights, you can get by without one by using trial and error. As you add lights or want to waste less time, having a light meter becomes indispensible.

As for lights, I like Alien Bees. There are better lights available. There are cheaper lights available. I don't think that there are any lights that are better and cheaper. I think that the Bees are in the sweet spot for most home studios.

 

[Dismom+two]

Mark, thank you so much for that advice. I will most certainly look into that book and so some reading before moving forward. I got my new camera for Christmas..one I have been wanting for some time. In the past I used a Nikon...35mm and then went digital however the point and shoot kind. My dh got me a Nikon D60 and I am thrilled. I want to really get serious now with taking pictures!

I always enjoy looking at your photos, you do beautiful work!

Thanks again for your help!!

Brenda

 

[pointandshoot]

I am also looking into a home studio this year. One thing that has helped me is renting lighting equipment for a weekend. If you have a local camera shop that rents, go spend some time with them. I rented a basic two light set-up and shot for two days. A friend and I shot martial arts portraits for our dojang, wedding shots for him, and a few family shots for me. It really helped me get a better understanding of studio lights by playing with them.

When I shot film, I was a bit intimidated by studio lights. With digital, you can shoot away and learn as you go. Just plug a light into the camera and fire.

Though I have not used Alien Bees, they have a good reputation for the price. I know a few folks who use them and really like them.

Chuck

 

[handicap18]

I've started slow with a "home studio". One thing for sure is to get yourself a sharp lens. With the D60 you may want to look into something like the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or (for a bit less) the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. I'd recommend the 50mm f/1.8, but that wont auto focus with the D60. There is a 50mm f/1.4 that will auto focus with the D60, but its close to $500.

I started with just a basic speedlight flash with diffuser, then added some fill lights by getting some clamp lights with 60 Watt Reveal Light bulbs. This works well for me. I also found an inexpensive background stand on ebay for $70 and then added a Muslin background. I also use the wall of our playroom as a background as it has a great full wall mural.

I don't do enough portrait/studio work to move up to the umbrella lights as of yet, but I have thought about moving in that direction. I did a few portrait sessions last year and they worked out well. Budget constraints are mostly holding me back right now. I'll work more with my el cheepo setup for now.

Having a good practice model is also pretty much a must. Your kids (or neices/nephew's/cousins), spouse, pet. Practice is important.

 

[Dismom+two]

Chuck, Thanks for the advice about renting...I will have to look into that!

Kyle, first of all...you know my sister...Barbara. I enjoy looking at your pictures as well...the kids are adorable!!
I have the lens that came with the camera...18-55 I believe. That one will have to do for now.

One thing I do know...there are a lot of wonderful photographers to lean on here on the boards!!
Thanks for any help you can pass along when you think of it.

Brenda

 

[Suburbanmom]

I am just going to second the Alien Bees recommendation. I have a small home studio and they are wonderful and have an excellent reputation.

 

[handicap18]

Kyle, first of all...you know my sister...Barbara. I enjoy looking at your pictures as well...the kids are adorable!!
I have the lens that came with the camera...18-55 I believe. That one will have to do for now.

One thing I do know...there are a lot of wonderful photographers to lean on here on the boards!!
Thanks for any help you can pass along when you think of it.

Brenda

Oh OK,,, Hi Brenda . I've met your sister a few times. Andy knows her better.

Good luck with your setup.

 

[Dismom+two]

Oh OK,,, Hi Brenda . I've met your sister a few times. Andy knows her better.

Good luck with your setup.

Thanks Kyle. I will be sure to post anything as I move ahead.
Barb said she has met you at the baseball games.

 

[Chikabowa]

Anyone looking to open a family/children studio really should become a member and active participant on ILP. It is completely dedicated to exactly helping photographers with the exact information you are requesting. The more you participate though, the more you have the opportunity to network with some of the best photographers in the business as well. It's a great resource - and both natural light and studio photographers are there, along with those people who do both. There are three levels - Just Starting Out (JSO), Just Starting Out Biz (JSObiz) and Full Access. JSO is free and open to anyone. JSOBiz and F/A are application and membership fees.

That being said - I triple agree that the Bees are a great starter set. I have a set of AB400's myself that I trigger with pocket wizards. But I end up using my SB-800's with shoot thru umbrella's more often - but that is because I need light portability in my work more than anything.
A simple seamless background stand can be obtained at B&H for just over $100. The seamless paper is fun because you can change colors and looks just by buying another roll of paper. I have the savage port-a-stand and it's a popular and nice option.
For black backgrounds, most everyone I know (myself included) just uses a black fleece or velour blanket or cloth they get at the fabric store. Works great!

 

[dr_zero]

Not trying to send you away from here but this link has some great ideas for a home studio setup from basic on up.

http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/cheap-homemade-diy-studio-no-lighting-needed

 

[mabas9395]

Got to start here:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html