what are the basic lightning for a home studio?

[r_dg]

im sort of new in photograpgy, well i know how to use a camera and
take good pictures but i want to get to the next level, but the problem
is i dont really know what kind off lightning should i buy... like the softboxes, umbrella reflectors etc... and some people from stores always wants to get
some advantage from people who dont really know about it...



and other thing, does everyone know a site from a fashion photographer with backstage scenes? im trying to learn more about this kind of photos.

thanks for the help...

[0lBaldy]

http://www.davehillphoto.com/ (After the page loads.. scroll down and on the right hand side at the bottom.... click on "Behind the Scenes")
Enjoy the behind the scenes glimpse of an artist!

[r_dg]

thank you, its great to see and learn how the pro photographers work!

[neumanns]

I don't know what gear you have or what your willing to invest. A good starting point would be a hot shoe flash, 30 somthing inch umbrella (bounce/shootthru), a reflector, a simple lightstand, and a way to get the flash off camera.

If off camera lighting is new to you a simple set up like this will give a ton of options and allow you to expierment with the concepts involved. Once you understand how to get the most out of this equipment then you will better understand what gear comes next.

Someone with good knowledge and a simple setup can produce better quality than someone with all the gear and no understanding of how to use it. I suppose it comes natural to some but learning lighting has been one of my bigger challanges. Right up there with advancing my photoshop skill's!

[DiamondsDr47]

Go to a pro store they dont want to take advantage of you rather help you,
but at first buy some books on lighting, watch Dean Collins video, visit the forums, etc...

[r_dg]

thank you so much! really appreaciate your help, i know it's very important to know how to use the light, sometimes i just think of a photo and were would i like to be bright and dark but dont know what to use thats my principal problem that i know were lights should be but not what kind of light...

[pellepiano]

I started with some cheap china strobes like the ones you find on Ebay ( 110ws ) that came with some shoot thru umbrellas and stands. And I still use them =)

For on location shoots I use cheap Cactus triggers and a couple of Vivitar 285hv flash.

For studio strobes there is a great thread on Model Mayhem with lighting scenarios and example images and lots of resources ..

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po_big.ph...id=96872&page=

For using on camera flash off camera check all the tuteorials on the www.strobist.site

[L33t]

I like softboxes more, because it gives you softer light or you could combine that

[pellepiano]

The "softness" of light is more dependent on the relative size of the light source. As "softness" in this case ( light falloff ) is dependent on non paralell light hitting the subject.