Rachel Foster
New member
I was talking with a friend about lighting. He pointed out that lighting is expensive (as everything related to photography is). I suggested you can do lighting on the cheap. So....tips? Secrets? how can he do it?
In our studio, we use several Vivitar 285HV shoe-mounted flash units (from eBay - they are no longer made). I have fitted them to be powered by small 6V storage batteries ("motorcycle" type), which I charge every so often.I was talking with a friend about lighting. He pointed out that lighting is expensive (as everything related to photography is). I suggested you can do lighting on the cheap. So....tips? Secrets? how can he do it?
Before you start shopping, have a perspective on when you think you'll most frequently need to use lights. Simple portraits need little (contrary to what the gearhounds would assert). You most often see examples that are ridiculously over-lit and over-produced, often by weekend "pro" portrait snappers.
Start with one light, a couple of stands for reflectors and blocks (both cheap foam boards form an art supply store), some clamps (hardware store) and just explore what you can do with this simple gear. Add a light later after you gain first-hand realization of the limits for what you shoot.
I am looking to get back into doing portraits for work again.
There are several good books on photo lighting, such as "Light Science and Magic"
Thanks for this added resource. I'll order it. I'm grateful for such recommendations..... and Ross Lowell's "Matters of Light & Depth".
But one of the most instructive exercises you could perform is to buy a couple of inexpensive table-top Luxo lamps with 20w-30w bulbs, and some stiff white and black paper for reflectors and subtractors. Then just set-up a simple still life scene on a table and explore lighting it in various ways. This is particularly powerful today with free digital imaging. Photograph the setup, then photograph the scene. Repeat with various setups.