Home Studio

[Ozarker]

Honestly, if you plan to use flash at all I would get the Flashpoint Streaklight from Adorama. The non-ETTL version is going for $299 right now and = 5 or 6 Canon 600s as far as power goes. The light is very good. I have 7 Canon 600s and have not used a one since getting the streaklight. Very good for outdoors too.

While very portable, such units may limit you in the diffusers choice, especially the larger ones. Unless you need easy portability and outdoor use, I would use a studio monolight.

I have not run into any problems with any diffuser. Use it with soft boxes and umbrellas (72"). Works just as easily with my modifiers as the Canon flash. I wish I could afford two more. I should probably sell my Canon flashes to get them. I really am that happy with the Streaklight.

On sale right now for $249. wow.

 

[Jaysheldon]

Hi Ray5
I know that speedlights aren't your goal, but if you haven't already done so you should visit a site called Strobist. Regardless of whether you are using portable strobes or not the advice of David Hobby is priceless. He's a news portrait photographer, but his lessons are universal even for someone shooting in a studio (and some of his shots are done in a studio.)

There's nothing wrong with starting with one strobe, an umbrella and a reflector, and the site shows how.

Start here https://strobist.blogspot.ca/2006/03/lighting-101.html with "Lighting 101", then, as you can see there's course 102 and 103 from the drop down menu on the right side. For more inspiration, make sure you read the "On Assignment" section.

Neil van Niekerk -- https://neilvn.com/tangents/ -- likes keeping his lighting simple. (as it happens the most recent blog entry is on shooting headshots. You may be interested in this post on positioning the light --
https://neilvn.com/tangents/photography-positioning-the-light-and-posing/
some advice on umbrellas -- https://neilvn.com/tangents/page/3/
and this one on home studio with speedlights -- https://neilvn.com/tangents/home-studio-setup-with-speedlites/

Also for inspiration, try Joe McNally's site -- and don't be intimidated by the fact that he loves firing a dozen speedlites at a time: http://blog.joemcnally.com/

 

[ray5]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. As in anything the market is huge. Trying to buy something is never easy! But have to start somewhere. I started reading the strobist articles last year and quickly became overwhelmed and dropped the idea but hopefully this time will persevere. Thanks again. Please continue to share your experiences and suggestions.
Ray

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Ray.
The Strobist can be a bit heavy going, but I found it made more sense to me by following the 'exercises' and setting up as near as possible (that your gear will allow) to what was being shown, large cuddly toys make willing models, cats not so much! ;D

Cheers, Graham.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. As in anything the market is huge. Trying to buy something is never easy! But have to start somewhere. I started reading the strobist articles last year and quickly became overwhelmed and dropped the idea but hopefully this time will persevere. Thanks again. Please continue to share your experiences and suggestions.
Ray

 

[ray5]

Understood. Will keep at it. Thx!