Basic Studio Equipment for Lighting Newbies

Over the next few months I am going to be showing some simple studio and on location light setups. Before I start on in-depth articles I thought I would add a quick bit about what equipment Will be required. Over the years I have had amazing success with cheaper equipment so along with a list of the equipment I will use I am going to add links to the budget products I have used.

A Speedlight

YONGNUO YN-560 II ELECTRONIC SPEEDLIGHT

Wireless triggers

16 Channels Wireless Radio Flash Trigger SET with 2 Receivers LF106

White shoot through umbrella

CowboyStudio 33" inch White Translucent Umbrella for Professional Photography and Video Lighting Diffuser & Reflector

A light stand

Photography Light Stand for professional photo studio photolamps

A flash/umbrella mount

Multi-function Adjustable Cold Shoe Mount Umbrella Light Stand Bracket/Flash Holder with 1/4" 3/8" Thread & Ratchet Design

A popup reflector

43" (110cm) Collapsible / Portable Photographic Lighting Disc Reflector for Studio or On-Site Use - Translucent, Gold, Silver, White & Black w/ BAG!

Home-Made Softbox

think all photographers need to have an inventive attitude and the ability to create solutions to any problem. I have always liked making things and I am sure you will discover just how much as I develop this blog. Anyway my Uni room is small, like really small and setting up big studio equipment for little photos is a little pointless in such a small space.

Home-made Softbox

What I wanted was a small softbox for a speedlight that I could use for small product shoots. I decided I would use the same card as my Camera Obscura as it was dense and has a white side. This would be ideal for the softbox as it would reflect all usable light. I cut the card into 4 parts to make each side of my softbox and joined them using cable ties like little stiches. I them taped the joints using gaffa tape to remove light leeks. At the bottom of my softbox I left a whole that the head of my SB-900 would fit into. As a diffuser panel I used white cotton and added hooks to each corner so I could clip it to the front of my softbox. The whole product only took about an hour.

I am really happy about how this turned out and it works well as a quick light modifier when working in small spaces. Hope this helps anyone who was looking to make a softbox and please comment and link me some photos of your examples.

AlexAndrews

David hobby Inspired Youth Image

Even Alone - Always Connected

As part of my university course studying digital media design I was asked to create an image of a contemporary youth. There are many aspects of youth life that I could have focused on but if I am honest they have been done to death. For me the thing that stands out about youth today is how they are always connected even when alone they are always online talking to friends. My idea was to create a David Hobby style image of a youth sat in bed on Facebook on a laptop.

My lighting setup

I used all artificial studio lighting, I used 2 studio strobes in large soft boxes as fill light and artificial Ambient light to allow me to have more control than standard lights. Next I used a Speedlight laying on the laptop keys pointing to a white bounce card over the screen. This reflects what looks like a laptop glow into the models face with a shadow on the wall behind.

What do I think?

I really enjoyed taking this image and experimenting with the flash setups and really think people should give it a go. Also go and check out David Hobby, his work and blog.

AlexAndrews