Studio Flash Portrait
With a canon 40D, 135 mm lenses, backdrop stand, and a flash 430 EX , what else I need for a portrait studio?
I’m interesting in taking portrait pictures on location, but my budget is low, what else would I need to get to start shooting?
Your question really references two different kinds of shooting: A) in a studio and B) on location.
For a studio situation, you need a location with neutral colored walls, high ceilings (10 feet or taller), and sufficient room to move back and forth and setup your backdrops. While you can do some shooting with your 430 EX flash on camera, you would be better served with it off camera and actually even better served with studio monolights and a flash meter to check exposure.
On location, you need some way to power your monolights if there’s no electric outlet handy. And you don’t necessarily need the backgrounds–you’re using the location to do the shooting (hence, the term “on location.”)
What you may be asking about is more of a “portable studio,” one that you can pack up and set up in another location. In which case, you need the camera (you’ve got it), sets of lenses (you might need more lenses for a full-length shot), a backup body (maybe later when you have more money or use a 35mm film SLR), your backdrop, and your lighting gear (and one on-camera flash isn’t enough).
If your budget is low, what I suggest is that you look at hot lamps/cool lamps. Essentially, these are non-flash continuous lighting units. Hot lamps use incandescent bulbs and get warm. Cool lamps use those new spiral fluorescent bulbs that have been adjusted for a good color balance. In either case, you’ll need to custom white balance. Two such lamps (the lamps might have 4 to 8 bulbs in them) should be enough for a studio situation using continuous lighting.
A single monolight, used properly with light modifiers, like an umbrella and a reflector, can produce good results. I would look at a low-power alien bee: http://www.alienbees.com
My personal choice: a monolight over continuous lighting. I would suggest an alien bees monolight, a shoot through umbrella for a light modifier, a reflector (you can use a large piece of white foamcore), and an inexpensive used flash meter (see eBay for used, inexpensive flash meters).
Simple Flash Portrait Photography Tips by Dom Bower
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CowboyStudio 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Light Bulb for Photography Lighting $20.00 Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs. The total cost of ownership of a compact fluorescent lightbulb is typically substantially less than a standard light bulb that produces the same amount of light. Primary applications for compact fluorescent light bulbs include retail, hospitals, warehouses, workshops, churches, arena… |
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27 Watts 5500K Color corrected Day Light Fluorescent Lamp Photo Bulb – 2 Pack $44.99 This is a fluorescent 27 watts energy saving daylight photo bulb (5500 Kelvin temp.). This Fluorescent lamp bulb emulates a soft daylight measured at full spectrum color of 90 CRI at 1800 lumens. Lifespan: 10,000 hours. Ideal for all Tungsten Continuous Lighting Kit. This photo bulb would cost you $21 each at your local retail store. Best price combo on the internet. **Limited Time Promo**… |
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Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX II/430EX II $19.98 This DVD uses the same material as our original 580 EX/430 EX DVD. Demonstrations of Speedlite operations have been updated to show the 580 EX II/430 EX II models. Your new EX II Speedlite from Canon can be the most powerful accessory in your camera bag! Understanding how the Speedlite’s controls work is important, and this DVD takes you through its operations, step by step. Your host, Tim Mantoa… |
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Studio Lighting Essentials for Portrait Photography $150.00 Studio Lighting Essentials for Portrait Photography is everything you need to get started in the world of Studio Lighting. This DVD set was written and hosted by Mark Wallace. Mark is known for his easy to understand teaching style and ability to take concepts and put them into practical use.The 2 Disc DVD set is packed with content. Topics include:Direction of lightUnderstanding shadowsProperties… |
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Satco S3475 120V 1/Card 250-Watt T10 Medium Base Light Bulb, Clear $15.95 Requires the Photoflex Adapter E-27 (FV-SKT)… |
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Neewer 110CM 43 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector $12.81 This 5 in 1 collapsible reflector disc Comes with translucent, silver, gold, white, and black five most popular surfaces. Packs into a zip packet. Folds into 12″ carry pouch for easy to carry, durable and flexible steel spring frame insures easy spreading and closing. This reflector fits any standard reflector holders…. |
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NEEWER® Macro Ring LED Light – Works with Canon/Sony/Nikon/Sigma lenses $29.52 This LED Macro Ring Light is specifically designed for close shots. It will constantly emit light and provide permanent lighting for subjects. With the LED lamp mode controller, you can adjust the three modes: all light, half left light, and half right light; With the power mode controller, you can choose two different power input modes to offers you continuous light: 2 AA batteries that is conven… |
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2 PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO CONTINUOUS LIGHTING KITS W/ TWO FREE Day-Light CFL LIGHTS & UMBRELLAS FOR PRODUCT, PORTRAIT, & VIDEO SHOOT $31.49 This continuous lighting kits are ideal for small to medium photo studio. For portraits or larger product photography, one light kit can be used as your main light that defines the subject and the second light can be use as the fill light to reduce your contrast levels. The light is soft. You could move it easily to any photo place and setup them quickly. … |
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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 $10.98 Scott Kelby, author of the groundbreaking bestseller “The Digital Photography Book, Vol. 1” is back with an entirely new book that picks up right where Vol. 1 left off. It’s more of that “Ah haâso that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip the techno jargon; packed with stuff you can really use today, that made Vol. 1 the world’s bestselling … |
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5×7 Studio Metals Frame, Silver, Vertical $5.63 Elegant, sturdy and inexpensive – (*sigh*) if only spouses could come this way. The Crystal Studio Metals frame is trimmed in silver/gray metal, is for tabletop use, and will hold a vertical (portrait) 5×7 inch print. The frame can also be turned sideways for a horzontal (landscape) picture. |
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4×6 Studio Metals Frame, Silver, Vertical $4.44 Elegant, sturdy and inexpensive – not a bad combination, that. The Crystal Studio Metals frame is trimmed in silver/gray metal, is for tabletop use, and will hold a vertical (portrait) 4×6 inch print. The frame can also be turned sideways for a horzontal (landscape) picture. |
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