Lighting frustration

[KyleC]

February 28, 2008 at 11:41 am

I am just new to this forum and need some help. I want to explore portrait photography more and want to buy some lights but I am soooo confused. I want to produce high quality fashion type pics to build a portfolio to help me get work and have a small studio space ready (5m x 5m- I know it’s quite small at the mo)

Question is:

1 – Should I invest in a good starter flash lighting kit that I can build on? (at over 1000euro which I cant really afford)

OR

2 – Create a small makeshift lighting setup with halogen continuos lights etc to start getting a feel for it and begin working and taking pics as Im stagnant a the mo.

I’ve read so many conflicted opinions; mainly that you shouldnt be defined by the equipment you have and considering some of my best work has been on an old point and shoot (however Im now a Nikon D200 user) I have no doubt that for a fraction of the price of a brand name lighting kit I can produce quality pix and then help me get work…………OR can I really, as Im inexperienced in ligting at the mo?

Basically Ive the drive and ambition to succeed yet finances and such conflicting issues are keeping me back and it’s very frustrating, man it’s a tough business to get into but I am determined to do so once I can get going and can take such pix for my portfolio.

So what’s it to be: SUPER expensive lighting kit (to a poor unemployed church mouse like myself) or throw together a makeshift setup, get work, get cash, get good lights…..hmmmmm?

PLEASE HELP :(

[Thorsten]

February 28, 2008 at 1:06 pm

My advice, for what it’s worth, is forget about studio lighting for the time being and concentrate on using natural light on location. You will learn far more about light and control of light this way than you ever will using studio lights.