Pictures with new equipment

[handicap18]

So I had been toying around for a while about Studio Lights. I don't really do a lot of portraits. Mostly just the kids a few times a year and I also do a fairly large volunteer portrait shoot for our local Down syndrome family playgroup.

Last year I photographed 18 families (just the kids). I'm no pro by any stretch, but I do enjoy it and thought it would be a nice offer to the families once a year before the holidays. Last year I used my speedlight flash with diffuser and some small 60 & 75 watt fill lights.

Based on this I didn't think it was good for me to go out and spend $400-600 on a lighting system. But I kept looking around and found a very inexpensive starter kit that includes 2 stands, 2 small umbrella's and 2 300 watt CFL bulbs. Found it on amazon for $99, it had 14 reviews and pretty much everyone said the same thing.... very good for beginners or those that don't do portraits that much and it does the job and it portable. So I took a chance. Steve Kaeser- Pro Studio Light Kit 600 watt "Cool-Flo" Fluorescent.

The CFL bulbs are HUGE. I mean Really HUGE! It puts out a decent amount of light, but I did find in my testing it out that I needed to bump up the ISO to 800 at f/5.6 to get between 1/60th and 1/100th.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it and for the cost and how often I need to use it, it works for me. I'm sure this wont be for everyone.

Also, with some amazon gift cards I had saved up I got the Tamron 18-50mm f/2.8 SP AF XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF). I'm still not 100% sure on this one. I need to test it out more. Not sure if the focus is off or its me.

Anyway.... here are some test shots I did of the kids over the weekend. Only editing I did was a little bit of EC on some and adjusted the white balance...

all taken with my Nikon D300 with the Tamron 18-50mm f/2.8 lens

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/60th


ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/60th


ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/60th


ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/80th


ISO800, f/5.6, 1/80th


ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/80th


ISO800, f/5.6, 1/40th (a bit over exposed because of his dark shirt and pants)

 

[Icemann]

I'm just a newbie and just started taking my camera off auto,It looks to me you have pretty well mastered your portrait skills.Very nice job That's very nice of you to take holiday portraits of those kids and their familys.Looks like a $100 dollars well spent

 

[wenrob]

Hehe, love the third one, too CUTE! Nice work.

 

[tinkabella627]

Hehe, love the third one, too CUTE! Nice work.

me too how cute are they?! i love it!

 

[JoeDif]

Great job...really like #3. $99 seems like a really good price for what came with the kit. Can't beat that!!

Where did you position the lights? I'd like to get into taking more portraits myself and any pointers are always welcome.

 

[jann1033]

nice shots. love 2 and 3 especially.

i've been considering setting up a studio myself but more for stilllifes. ( as soon as we clear out out husband's "junk" room so i can move gd's futon from my photo room into there for her occasional sleepovers.) and that price sounds good. guessing they are photoflood types? but really other than making it more comfy for the intended "victims" ( a flash rather than continual lights) and maybe not lasting for decades is there anyone who knows any downside to a set up like that? sorry if that is hijacking this thread

 

[handicap18]

Great job...really like #3. $99 seems like a really good price for what came with the kit. Can't beat that!!

Where did you position the lights? I'd like to get into taking more portraits myself and any pointers are always welcome.

I had to position the lights pretty close to the subject. Probably a little closer than I would have liked. There was one just to the left and one just to the right.

Here is the link at amazon to get some more info. I has 2 32" umbrella's (probably considered to be on the smaller side). The 300 watt CFL bulbs are about 10 1/2" long. I did find a web site that sell's CFL bulbs and found a 420 Watt bulb for $30. I'm debating if I want to try that size over the 300 Watt. It is a continuous light. The bulbs do not get very hot AT ALL. Within a minute or 2 of shutting the bulbs off I touched them to unscrew them from the socket and they were not hot. The stands are small and you have to set the tripod part up so that the umbrella sticks out over one of the legs, not in between 2 legs. Over all it is very light and easy to take out on the road if needed (like to someones house) and is easy to stow away in a closet when not in use.

It certainly doesn't compare to an Alien Bee set up or anything like that, but if you only do a few portrait shoots or don't know how much you really want to get into it, this is a good starter kit.

 

[MICKEY88]

I did find a web site that sell's CFL bulbs and found a 420 Watt bulb for $30. I'm debating if I want to try that size over the 300 Watt. .

I would make sure of the max wattage for the sockets before buying more powerful bulbs

 

[handicap18]

I would make sure of the max wattage for the sockets before buying more powerful bulbs

Good point, but these are Compact Floresent Light Bulbs, so a 420 Watt output only uses 105 Watts. The 300 Watt output the bulbs I currently have only use 68 Watts. I'm pretty confident the sockets can handle the 105 actual watts.

 

[MICKEY88]

Good point, but these are Compact Floresent Light Bulbs, so a 420 Watt output only uses 105 Watts. The 300 Watt output the bulbs I currently have only use 68 Watts. I'm pretty confident the sockets can handle the 105 actual watts.

I've seen a lot of household sockets that have a 60 watt max, so I never upgrade without checking.

 

[fitzperry]

#3 is my favorite too--what adorable expressions! I think they might be plotting something though. Better watch your back

I've toyed with the idea of buying some lights too. It's nice to see what you can do with an inexpensive setup. Thanks for sharing these.

 

[Wishes2you]

Kyle,

I love the photos of the kids. My favorite is also # 3.
They are just too cute. That is wonderful that you
volunteer and take family photos for your local
Down syndrome family playgroup.


Sorry I didn't get a chance to see you this year at a
gatemen game. We were having some family health issues.
We only got to one game and had to leave early due to
my mother-in-law getting rushed to the hospital. Thankfully
she is doing well now.