Well...I got some studio equipment...for free

[We-Luv-Disney]

My boss (he rocks ) was kind enough to give me sum of his old studio equipment. He had not used them since the early 90's and his DW was tired of it taking up space in their closet. So he gave me two umbrella strobes with stands, a ring flash with modeling light, power pack and sync cord. It's older equipment but it all works just fine! I have to learn how to use this stuff properly, I was able to get it all set up today and did a few test shots. I still need a backdrop, so any advice on one would be great, also I was thinking of starting of by getting a paper backdrop, what are anyone's thoughts on those? Here are a few shots I took with the set up..

 

[jann1033]

no advice but whoo hoo that's the way to come up with "stuff"

 

[DebºoºS]

Not much help here. I use a light blue paper background. The children are beautiful and you took some great shots

 

[Furgus]

Very lucky to come into some nice used equipment. They look great.
Look at http://strobist.blogspot.com/
They do a lot of off camera flash, but it can be translated into bigger strobes.

 

[My2Girls66]

Great job Adorable kids. Maybe some flat bed sheets for backgrounds? They come in all different colors.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wow, what a great "give away"! Nice shots, too. Have fun!

 

[meagansmomtoo]

Black Vellux blanket- many photogs use them and they are not that much, get kind size.

You can learn a lot at www.Ilovephotography.com, it is a free forum. I have been on that forum for years.

Shelley

 

[0bli0]

very nice shots. one of the things that happens when working with two strobes is you get two catchlights in the eyes which can look really odd. also the lighting can be a bit flat coming from either side roughly equally. you've illuminated the hair nicely and the faces pop well.

you can also diffusing the 'secondary' light more or if there is a white wall to the subject's side, use it as a reflector to help soften the lighting from one side (and eliminate the second catchlight).

at the end of the day, you'll find what is most appealing to you and what you're most comfortable with the equipment you have.
they are truly lovely photos and i look forward to seeing more results.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

very nice shots. one of the things that happens when working with two strobes is you get two catchlights in the eyes which can look really odd. also the lighting can be a bit flat coming from either side roughly equally. you've illuminated the hair nicely and the faces pop well.

you can also diffusing the 'secondary' light more or if there is a white wall to the subject's side, use it as a reflector to help soften the lighting from one side (and eliminate the second catchlight).

at the end of the day, you'll find what is most appealing to you and what you're most comfortable with the equipment you have.
they are truly lovely photos and i look forward to seeing more results.

Good advice, thank you!! I did not like the two light reflections either, Ill try turning the second light to the wall. I ordered a white roll of paper and a stand from B+H yesterday...cant wait till they get here!

 

[0bli0]

Good advice, thank you!! I did not like the two light reflections either, Ill try turning the second light to the wall. I ordered a white roll of paper and a stand from B+H yesterday...cant wait till they get here!

i look forward to seeing the results. btw with a white background, you can also use a light to illuminate the background, if you're goign for the high-key very white background look.

 

[PixieDust32]

Good, free equipment!

Love the shots btw.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

i look forward to seeing the results. btw with a white background, you can also use a light to illuminate the background, if you're goign for the high-key very white background look.

Good advice...thats what I did today..My paper and stand arrived. I turned of the second fill light. I tinkered with my set up for a while,I moved the overhead strobe as close as possible to the center of the subject and this seemed to give the best results with the fewest shadows. Here are a few examples,